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Windward 36
Designer: David Hale  ·  Builder: Windward Marine Ltd. (Can)  ·  First built: 1973
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About the Windward 36

Designed by David Hale and built by Canada's Windward Marine Ltd. beginning in 1973, this 36-footer represents solid traditional cruising values wrapped in fiberglass construction. The long keel configuration and cutter rig reflect a design philosophy prioritizing seaworthiness and comfort over pure performance, making her well-suited for extended coastal cruising and offshore passages. With a displacement of 19,000 pounds and 7,000 pounds of ballast, the Windward 36 offers the stability and motion comfort that serious cruising sailors appreciate. Her impressive comfort ratio of 38.99 indicates exceptionally gentle motion in seaways, while the conservative capsize screening formula of 1.7 suggests good stability characteristics for ocean work. The long keel provides tracking ability and serves as integral ballast placement, though it does limit shallow-water exploration. The cutter rig offers versatility in sail handling, particularly valuable when cruising shorthanded or in challenging conditions. While her SA/Displacement ratio of 18.74 indicates moderate performance in light air, the 40-horsepower engine provides adequate auxiliary power. Hull speed calculations suggest comfortable passage-making speeds around 7 knots. This design appeals to sailors prioritizing comfort, safety, and traditional sailing qualities over racing performance.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 36.00 ft / 10.97 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 27.00 ft / 8.23 m
Beam 11.33 ft / 3.45 m
Max Draft 5.08 ft / 1.55 m
Displacement 19,000.00 lb / 8,618 kg
Ballast 7,000.00 lb / 3,175 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 831.00 ft² / 77.20 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer David Hale
Builder Windward Marine Ltd. (CAN)
First Built 1973
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Performance Ratios
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
18.74
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
36.84
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
430.94
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
38.99
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
1.7
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. 6.96 kn
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. 1,093.05 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
Mast Height (DWL) 48.00 ft / 14.63 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 40
Fuel Capacity 100 gals / 379 L
Water Capacity 100 gals / 379 L
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