The Pdq 36 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, 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.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 34.3′, the Pdq 36 tops out around 7.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √34.3′ LWL = 7.9 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
19.7
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Comfort Ratio
7.3
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
3.66
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
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
7.3
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
3.66
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 Pdq 36 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Catalina 36
138s/nm
Pearson 36 2
138s/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 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
5.0 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.1 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
6.0 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.0 |
6.3 |
7.0 |
7.3 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.6 |
5.8 |
6.5 |
6.8 |
| Run150–180° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.9 kts),
SA/D (19.7), 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 Pdq 36 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ 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 Pdq 36.
|
Pdq 36 |
C Cat 37 |
Catalina 36 |
Dufour Classic 36 |
Island Packet Estero 36 |
Pearson 36 2 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
36.4 |
36.4 |
36.3 |
36.3 |
36.4 |
36.5 |
| LWL |
34.3 |
35.6 |
30.3 |
30.1 |
31.4 |
29.6 |
| Beam |
18.3 |
19.2 |
11.9 |
12.3 |
12.3 |
12.3 |
| Displacement |
8 |
11 |
13 |
13 |
19 |
15 |
| Ballast |
— |
— |
6 |
3 |
7 |
5 |
| Sail Area |
490 |
840 |
545 |
570 |
708 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
138 |
— |
— |
138 |
| SA/Disp |
19.7 |
27.3 |
15.4 |
16.5 |
15.8 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
— |
44.4 |
27.0 |
38.9 |
38.7 |
| Comfort |
7.3 |
9.2 |
24.0 |
22.3 |
31.9 |
— |
| Capsize |
3.66 |
3.45 |
2.01 |
2.10 |
1.84 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
7.9 |
8.0 |
7.4 |
7.4 |
7.5 |
— |