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Seidelmann 37
Designer: Bob Seidelmann  ·  Builder: Seidelmann Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1980
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About the Seidelmann 37

Launched in 1980, this 37-footer from Bob Seidelmann represents a well-balanced approach to coastal cruising and club racing. The design combines moderate proportions with thoughtful details that made it popular among sailors seeking versatility without extreme compromises. With its fin keel and spade rudder configuration, the Seidelmann 37 offers responsive handling and decent pointing ability, while the masthead sloop rig provides straightforward sail handling for shorthanded crews. The boat's 12-foot beam creates generous interior volume relative to its 36.83-foot overall length, making it comfortable for extended coastal passages or weekend getaways. Built by Seidelmann Yachts in the United States using fiberglass construction, these boats gained a reputation for solid build quality during their production run. The design strikes a practical balance between performance and comfort, with enough sail area (643 square feet) to move well in light air, yet stable enough for confident sailing in moderate conditions. The substantial ballast-to-displacement ratio provides reassuring stability, while the moderate draft allows access to more harbors than deeper-keeled designs. This combination of characteristics makes the Seidelmann 37 well-suited for coastal cruising, weekend sailing, and casual club racing, appealing to sailors who appreciate traditional sailing qualities in a manageable package.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 36.83 ft / 11.23 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 29.50 ft / 8.99 m
Beam 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
Max Draft 5.92 ft / 1.80 m
Displacement 12,000.00 lb / 5,443 kg
Ballast 5,900.00 lb / 2,676 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 643.00 ft² / 59.74 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Bob Seidelmann
Builder Seidelmann Yachts (USA)
First Built 1980
Related Sailboats ["Catalina 37" · "Pearson 37" · "J/37" · "X 372" · "Tayana 37"]
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 123
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 19.7
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 49.17
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 208.67
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 21.38
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 2.1
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.28 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 2.9
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1,264.88 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 19.69
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 49.50 ft / 15.09 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.30 ft / 4.66 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 44.00 ft / 13.41 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
SA Fore 378.68 ft² / 35.18 m²
SA Main 264.00 ft² / 24.53 m²
SA Total (100%) 642.68 ft² / 59.71 m²
Est. Forestay Length 51.81 ft / 15.79 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 24
Fuel Capacity 18 gals / 68 L
Water Capacity 70 gals / 265 L
How It Compares

vs. J/37, Pearson 37, X 372

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Seidelmann 37 ★
36.8 ft
J/37
37.0 ft
Pearson 37
36.9 ft
X 372
37.0 ft
LWL
Seidelmann 37 ★
29.5 ft
J/37
30.8 ft
Pearson 37
30.1 ft
X 372
29.5 ft
Beam
Seidelmann 37 ★
12.0 ft
J/37
12.1 ft
Pearson 37
11.8 ft
X 372
11.7 ft
Displacement
Seidelmann 37 ★
12 lbs
J/37
12 lbs
Pearson 37
12 lbs
X 372
11 lbs
Ballast
Seidelmann 37 ★
5 lbs
J/37
4 lbs
Pearson 37
5 lbs
X 372
4 lbs
Sail Area
Seidelmann 37 ★
643 sq ft
J/37
641 sq ft
Pearson 37
640 sq ft
X 372
593 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Seidelmann 37 ★
123 s/nm
J/37
75 s/nm
Pearson 37
102 s/nm
X 372
95 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Seidelmann 37 ★
19.7
J/37
19.4
Pearson 37
19.1
X 372
19.0
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Seidelmann 37 ★
49.2 %
J/37
40.0 %
Pearson 37
—
X 372
43.1 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Seidelmann 37 ★
21.4
J/37
29.0
Pearson 37
22.4
X 372
20.6
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Seidelmann 37 ★
2.10
J/37
1.67
Pearson 37
2.04
X 372
2.10
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Seidelmann 37 ★
208
J/37
136
Pearson 37
—
X 372
195
Hull Speed
Seidelmann 37 ★
7.3 kts
J/37
8.7 kts
Pearson 37
7.4 kts
X 372
7.3 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Seidelmann 37 ★
2.9
J/37
—
Pearson 37
2.9
X 372
3.0
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