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Show 36
Designer: Fontana, Maletto & Navone  ·  Builder: Barberis (Ita)  ·  First built: 1985
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About the Show 36

Italian shipyard Barberis introduced this elegant 35-foot cruiser in 1985, designed by the respected team of Fontana, Maletto & Navone. With her moderate displacement of 10,802 pounds and substantial ballast ratio, the Show 36 strikes an appealing balance between performance and comfort that has made her popular among European coastal cruisers. The fin keel and spade rudder configuration delivers responsive handling, while the masthead sloop rig provides straightforward sail management for couples or small crews. Her beam of nearly 12 feet creates generous interior volume despite the modest length overall, and the moderate draft of 4.26 feet opens up shallow anchorages and marinas. Built with solid fiberglass construction, these boats have proven durable over nearly four decades. The comfort ratio of 20.21 indicates a relatively stiff, quick motion at sea—ideal for sailors who prioritize sailing performance over ultimate cruising comfort. Her sail area to displacement ratio suggests good light-air performance while maintaining control in stronger conditions. Best suited for coastal cruising and weekend sailing, the Show 36 appeals to experienced sailors seeking European styling and build quality in a manageable size. The 20-horsepower auxiliary provides adequate power for maneuvering in tight quarters.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 35.48 ft / 10.81 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 28.83 ft / 8.79 m
Beam 11.81 ft / 3.60 m
Max Draft 4.26 ft / 1.30 m
Displacement 10,802.00 lb / 4,900 kg
Ballast 3,757.00 lb / 1,704 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 593.00 ft² / 55.09 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Fontana, Maletto & Navone
Builder Barberis (ITA)
First Built 1985
Related Sailboats ["J/35" · "First 35S5 Beneteau" · "Ericson 35 3" · "Mirage 35" · "Jod 35 Jeanneau"]
Owner Reviews

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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
 126
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
 19.48
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
 34.78
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
 201.24
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
 20.21
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
 2.14
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. 7.19 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
 2.97
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. 1,216.58 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. 19.49
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 46.50 ft / 14.17 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.50 ft / 4.11 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 41.40 ft / 12.62 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.50 ft / 4.11 m
SA Fore 313.88 ft² / 29.16 m²
SA Main 279.45 ft² / 25.96 m²
SA Total (100%) 593.33 ft² / 55.12 m²
Est. Forestay Length 48.42 ft / 14.76 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 20
Fuel Capacity 12 gals / 45 L
Water Capacity 42 gals / 159 L
How It Compares

vs. Ericson 35 3, First 35S5 Beneteau, Mirage 35

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Show 36 ★
35.5 ft
Ericson 35 3
35.5 ft
First 35S5 Beneteau
35.4 ft
Mirage 35
35.5 ft
LWL
Show 36 ★
28.8 ft
Ericson 35 3
28.9 ft
First 35S5 Beneteau
29.4 ft
Mirage 35
26.8 ft
Beam
Show 36 ★
11.8 ft
Ericson 35 3
11.3 ft
First 35S5 Beneteau
11.8 ft
Mirage 35
11.7 ft
Displacement
Show 36 ★
10 lbs
Ericson 35 3
13 lbs
First 35S5 Beneteau
11 lbs
Mirage 35
10 lbs
Ballast
Show 36 ★
3 lbs
Ericson 35 3
5 lbs
First 35S5 Beneteau
4 lbs
Mirage 35
3 lbs
Sail Area
Show 36 ★
593 sq ft
Ericson 35 3
597 sq ft
First 35S5 Beneteau
556 sq ft
Mirage 35
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Show 36 ★
126 s/nm
Ericson 35 3
—
First 35S5 Beneteau
—
Mirage 35
147 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Show 36 ★
19.5
Ericson 35 3
17.3
First 35S5 Beneteau
17.6
Mirage 35
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Show 36 ★
34.8 %
Ericson 35 3
40.0 %
First 35S5 Beneteau
36.6 %
Mirage 35
35.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Show 36 ★
20.2
Ericson 35 3
25.7
First 35S5 Beneteau
21.2
Mirage 35
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Show 36 ★
2.14
Ericson 35 3
1.93
First 35S5 Beneteau
2.10
Mirage 35
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Show 36 ★
201
Ericson 35 3
241
First 35S5 Beneteau
202
Mirage 35
233
Hull Speed
Show 36 ★
7.2 kts
Ericson 35 3
7.2 kts
First 35S5 Beneteau
7.3 kts
Mirage 35
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Show 36 ★
3.0
Ericson 35 3
2.3
First 35S5 Beneteau
2.7
Mirage 35
—
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