The Pearson 36 2 is and respectable in club racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.3 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 29.6′, the Pearson 36 2 tops out around 7.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √29.6′ LWL = 7.3 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
138s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Ballast / Displacement
38.7%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
259
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Hull Speed
7.3kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
8lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Pearson 36 2 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cs 36
Pearson 36 2
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Catalina 36
Pearson 365
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Pearson 36 2.
| Pearson 36 2 | Catalina 36 | Cs 36 | F3 | Pearson 365 | Swan 36 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 36.5 | 36.3 | 36.5 | 36.4 | 36.4 | 36.6 |
| LWL | 29.6 | 30.3 | 29.3 | 29.5 | 30.0 | 29.7 |
| Beam | 12.3 | 11.9 | 11.5 | 11.8 | 11.4 | 12.0 |
| Displacement | 15 | 13 | 15 | 10 | 17 | 14 |
| Ballast | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Sail Area | — | 545 | 822 | 630 | — | 624 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 138 | 138 | 126 | — | 210 | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 15.4 | 21.2 | 20.6 | — | 16.7 |
| Bal/Disp | 38.7 | 44.4 | 41.9 | 52.6 | 41.2 | 37.9 |
| Comfort | — | 24.0 | 29.5 | 20.0 | — | 26.3 |
| Capsize | — | 2.01 | 1.85 | 2.13 | — | 1.96 |
| Hull Speed | — | 7.4 | 7.3 | 7.3 | — | 7.3 |