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Sydney 36
Designer: Murray Burns Dovell  ·  Builder: Sydney Yachts (Aus)  ·  First built: 1998
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About the Sydney 36

Built by Sydney Yachts in Australia from 1998 to 2008, this Murray Burns Dovell design represents a thoughtful balance between performance cruising and club racing capabilities. With a length overall of 36.08 feet and waterline length of 32 feet, the Sydney 36 offers generous interior volume while maintaining sailing efficiency with its moderate displacement of 10,475 pounds. The boat's fin keel with bulb and spade rudder configuration delivers responsive handling and good upwind performance, making it well-suited for both coastal cruising and competitive racing. Its sail area of 678 square feet provides adequate power in light air while remaining manageable for shorthanded sailing. The masthead sloop rig keeps things simple and reliable for extended cruising. Notable for its fiberglass sandwich construction, the Sydney 36 achieves structural strength without excessive weight. The comfort ratio of 19.4 indicates a relatively stiff, quick motion at sea, while the capsize screening formula of 2.06 suggests reasonable offshore capability for experienced crews. With a beam of 11.25 feet and draft of 7.58 feet, this yacht strikes an appealing compromise between interior space and sailing performance, making it popular among sailors seeking a versatile platform for both weekend racing and extended coastal adventures.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 36.08 ft / 11.00 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 32.00 ft / 9.75 m
Beam 11.25 ft / 3.43 m
Max Draft 7.58 ft / 2.31 m
Displacement 10,475.00 lb / 4,751 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 678.00 ft² / 62.99 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG w/ sandwich
Designer Murray Burns Dovell
Builder Sydney Yachts (AUS)
First Built 1998
Last Built 2008
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
 57
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
 22.74
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
 142.71
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
 19.4
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
 2.06
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. 7.58 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
 4.27
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. 1,286.32 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. 22.75
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 49.41 ft / 15.06 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.93 ft / 4.25 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 43.24 ft / 13.18 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 15.46 ft / 4.71 m
SA Fore 344.14 ft² / 31.97 m²
SA Main 334.25 ft² / 31.05 m²
SA Total (100%) 678.39 ft² / 63.02 m²
Est. Forestay Length 51.34 ft / 15.65 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Type Diesel
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