The Niagara 35 is designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.9 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 26.7′, the Niagara 35 tops out around 6.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √26.7′ LWL = 6.9 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
156s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Ballast / Displacement
39.3%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
329
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Hull Speed
6.9kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
7lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Niagara 35 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Kiwi 35
Santana 35
Niagara 35
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Niagara 35.
| Niagara 35 | Cal 35 1979 | Kiwi 35 | Niagara 35 Encore | Santana 35 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | |||||
| LOA | 35.1 | 35.1 | 35.0 | 35.1 | 35.0 |
| LWL | 26.7 | 28.8 | 29.0 | 26.7 | 26.5 |
| Beam | 11.4 | 11.0 | 14.0 | 11.4 | 11.9 |
| Displacement | 14 | 13 | 2 | 14 | 8 |
| Ballast | 5 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Sail Area | — | 607 | 477 | 598 | 550 |
| Performance | |||||
| PHRF | 156 | — | 41 | — | 120 |
| SA/Disp | — | 17.6 | 38.1 | 16.5 | 21.2 |
| Bal/Disp | 39.3 | 40.0 | — | — | — |
| Comfort | — | 26.9 | 4.3 | 28.9 | 16.7 |
| Capsize | — | 1.87 | 3.95 | 1.90 | 2.34 |
| Hull Speed | — | 7.2 | 7.2 | 6.9 | 6.9 |