The Tradewind 35 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a gentle bluewater motion.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 25.9′, the Tradewind 35 tops out around 6.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √25.9′ LWL = 6.8 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
16.0
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
42.6%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
498
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
45.5
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Capsize Screening
1.56
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
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
45.5
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.56
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 Tradewind 35 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Pacific Seacraft 34
192s/nm
Tradewind 33
213s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.9 |
5.0 |
5.5 |
5.8 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.6 |
4.6 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
| Run150–180° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.8 kts),
SA/D (16.0), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Tradewind 35 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Tradewind 35.
|
Tradewind 35 |
Pacific Seacraft 34 |
Rustler 36 |
Saga 36 |
Tradewind 33 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
35.0 |
34.1 |
35.3 |
35.8 |
33.0 |
| LWL |
25.9 |
26.2 |
26.9 |
28.3 |
25.8 |
| Beam |
10.5 |
10.0 |
11.0 |
10.8 |
10.5 |
| Displacement |
19 |
13 |
16 |
18 |
19 |
| Ballast |
8 |
4 |
7 |
7 |
— |
| Sail Area |
725 |
533 |
693 |
565 |
544 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
192 |
— |
— |
213 |
| SA/Disp |
16.0 |
15.1 |
17.0 |
13.2 |
12.1 |
| Bal/Disp |
42.6 |
— |
45.3 |
— |
— |
| Comfort |
45.5 |
34.0 |
36.2 |
38.6 |
47.0 |
| Capsize |
1.56 |
1.68 |
1.72 |
1.64 |
1.56 |
| Hull Speed |
6.8 |
6.9 |
7.0 |
7.1 |
6.8 |