The Cal 35 1979 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
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 28.8′, the Cal 35 1979 tops out around 7.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √28.8′ LWL = 7.2 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
17.6
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
40.0%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
244
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
26.9
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.87
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
7lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
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
26.9
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.87
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 Cal 35 1979 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Santana 35
120s/nm
Niagara 35
156s/nm
Cal 35 Cruise
168s/nm
Ct 35
198s/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° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.3 |
5.5 |
6.1 |
6.4 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.0 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.9 |
| Run150–180° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.2 kts),
SA/D (17.6), 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 Cal 35 1979 — 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 Cal 35 1979.
|
Cal 35 1979 |
Cal 35 Cruise |
Cc 36R |
Ct 35 |
Niagara 35 |
Santana 35 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
35.1 |
35.1 |
35.1 |
35.0 |
35.1 |
35.0 |
| LWL |
28.8 |
28.8 |
30.5 |
26.8 |
26.7 |
26.5 |
| Beam |
11.0 |
11.0 |
11.2 |
11.2 |
11.4 |
11.9 |
| Displacement |
13 |
15 |
12 |
16 |
14 |
8 |
| Ballast |
5 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
607 |
546 |
632 |
483 |
— |
550 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
168 |
— |
198 |
156 |
120 |
| SA/Disp |
17.6 |
14.4 |
18.6 |
11.8 |
— |
21.2 |
| Bal/Disp |
40.0 |
33.3 |
47.5 |
31.4 |
39.3 |
— |
| Comfort |
26.9 |
31.0 |
24.8 |
35.9 |
— |
16.7 |
| Capsize |
1.87 |
1.79 |
1.92 |
1.74 |
— |
2.34 |
| Hull Speed |
7.2 |
7.2 |
7.4 |
6.9 |
— |
6.9 |