The Macgregor 36 is with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.7 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 33.0′, the Macgregor 36 tops out around 7.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √33.0′ LWL = 7.7 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Displacement / Length
37
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
2.9
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
5.00
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Hull Speed
7.7kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
13lbs
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
2.9
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
5.00
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 Macgregor 36 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Irwin 35 Citation
Catalina 355
Catalina 350
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Macgregor 36.
| Macgregor 36 | Catalina 350 | Catalina 355 | Ericson 35 3 | Hunter 355 Legend | Irwin 35 Citation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 35.5 | 35.5 | 35.5 | 35.5 | 35.6 | 35.4 |
| LWL | 33.0 | 30.5 | 30.5 | 28.9 | 29.8 | 28.5 |
| Beam | 18.0 | 12.5 | 12.4 | 11.3 | 11.8 | 11.5 |
| Displacement | 3 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 11 |
| Ballast | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Sail Area | — | 566 | 592 | 597 | 569 | 593 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | 147 | 140 | — | — | 138 |
| SA/Disp | — | 16.2 | 16.1 | 17.3 | 16.5 | 18.7 |
| Bal/Disp | — | 40.9 | 40.6 | 40.0 | 36.9 | 45.2 |
| Comfort | 2.9 | 21.9 | 24.6 | 25.7 | 24.0 | 22.6 |
| Capsize | 5.00 | 2.12 | 2.00 | 1.93 | 2.00 | 2.03 |
| Hull Speed | 7.7 | 7.4 | 7.4 | 7.2 | 7.3 | 7.2 |