What is the Prior 37's comfort ratio?

The Prior 37 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 36.02. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.

Is the Prior 37 safe for offshore sailing?

The Prior 37 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.64. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.

What is the hull speed of the Prior 37?

The theoretical hull speed of the Prior 37 is 6.90 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.

How much does a Prior 37 weigh?

The Prior 37 has a displacement of 15,000.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 37.00 ft.

Who designed the Prior 37?

The Prior 37 was designed by Alan Buchanan, first built in 1963.

Prior 37 Performance — PHRF Rating, Hull Speed & Sailing Characteristics

The Prior 37 is with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.

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 26.5′, the Prior 37 tops out around 6.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.

1.34 × √26.5′ 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.

Displacement / Length

360

Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.

Comfort Ratio

36.0

Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.

Capsize Screening

1.64

Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.

Hull Speed

6.9kts

Pounds/Inch Immersion

954lbs

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

36.0

Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.

Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion

20–30 — Acceptable coastal

30–40 — Good offshore comfort

Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore

Capsize Screening Formula

1.64

Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.

Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore

Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters

PHRF Fleet Position

Where the Prior 37 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Racer 0–90

Cruiser/Racer 90–150

Cruiser 150–210

Buchan 37 144s/nm

Little Harbor 37 171s/nm

Tartan 37 174s/nm

Black Watch 37 177s/nm

How It Compares

Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Prior 37.

	Prior 37	Black Watch 37	Buchan 37	Little Harbor 37	Princess 37 Robb	Tartan 37
Dimensions
LOA	37.0	37.0	37.0	37.0	37.0	37.0
LWL	26.5	25.0	27.2	25.6	26.5	25.5
Beam	10.1	10.5	9.8	10.5	9.5	10.5
Displacement	15	15	12	19	20	14
Ballast	—	4	5	4	—	4
Sail Area	—	597	626	618	627	654
Performance
PHRF	—	177	144	171	—	174
SA/Disp	—	15.4	18.4	13.9	13.7	17.6
Bal/Disp	—	27.1	46.1	—	—	—
Comfort	36.0	36.6	31.6	44.3	52.0	34.0
Capsize	1.64	1.69	1.67	1.58	1.40	1.72
Hull Speed	6.9	6.7	7.0	6.8	6.9	6.8