The Kiwi 35 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing, and competitive on the racecourse.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 29.0′, the Kiwi 35 tops out around 7.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √29.0′ LWL = 7.2 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
41s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
SA / Displacement
38.1
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Comfort Ratio
4.3
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
3.95
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
4.3
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
3.95
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Kiwi 35 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
1D 35
36s/nm
Kiwi 35
41s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Santana 35
120s/nm
Hunter 35 Legend
147s/nm
Oday 35
149s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.1 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.0 |
6.4 |
7.1 |
7.2 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.7 |
5.9 |
6.6 |
6.9 |
| Run150–180° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.3 |
5.5 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.2 kts),
SA/D (38.1), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Kiwi 35 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–16 kts
16–24 kts
24+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–16 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
16–24 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
24+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Kiwi 35.
|
Kiwi 35 |
1D 35 |
Dufour Classic 35 |
Hunter 35 Legend |
Oday 35 |
Santana 35 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
35.0 |
35.0 |
35.0 |
35.0 |
35.0 |
35.0 |
| LWL |
29.0 |
31.5 |
28.0 |
29.0 |
28.8 |
26.5 |
| Beam |
14.0 |
10.8 |
11.5 |
12.0 |
11.3 |
11.9 |
| Displacement |
2 |
6 |
10 |
13 |
11 |
8 |
| Ballast |
1 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
477 |
802 |
492 |
587 |
524 |
550 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
41 |
36 |
— |
147 |
149 |
120 |
| SA/Disp |
38.1 |
36.8 |
17.0 |
17.0 |
16.5 |
21.2 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
38.6 |
31.1 |
40.0 |
— |
— |
| Comfort |
4.3 |
13.2 |
19.9 |
22.3 |
23.1 |
16.7 |
| Capsize |
3.95 |
2.30 |
2.14 |
2.05 |
2.00 |
2.34 |
| Hull Speed |
7.2 |
7.5 |
7.1 |
7.3 |
7.2 |
6.9 |