The Columbia 36 Mii 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 27.8′, the Columbia 36 Mii tops out around 7.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √27.8′ LWL = 7.1 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
37.9%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
276
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
29.4
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.78
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
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
29.4
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
1.78
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 Columbia 36 Mii sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Lancer 36
131s/nm
Catalina 36 Mkii
144s/nm
Cape Dory 36
165s/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° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.9 |
4.0 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.0 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
6.0 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.3 |
5.5 |
| Run150–180° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.1 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 Columbia 36 Mii — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ 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 Columbia 36 Mii.
|
Columbia 36 Mii |
Cape Dory 36 |
Catalina 36 Mkii |
Lancer 36 |
Peterson 36 |
Tiburon 36 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
36.2 |
36.1 |
36.3 |
36.2 |
36.1 |
36.2 |
| LWL |
27.8 |
27.0 |
31.0 |
29.0 |
31.5 |
29.3 |
| Beam |
10.5 |
10.7 |
12.0 |
11.8 |
10.5 |
11.4 |
| Displacement |
13 |
16 |
14 |
10 |
16 |
21 |
| Ballast |
5 |
6 |
6 |
4 |
6 |
7 |
| Sail Area |
556 |
622 |
625 |
558 |
— |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
165 |
144 |
131 |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
16.0 |
15.7 |
16.5 |
18.7 |
— |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
37.9 |
37.6 |
40.3 |
38.1 |
37.5 |
33.3 |
| Comfort |
29.4 |
35.7 |
25.6 |
19.6 |
— |
— |
| Capsize |
1.78 |
1.69 |
1.95 |
2.15 |
— |
— |
| Hull Speed |
7.1 |
7.0 |
7.5 |
7.2 |
— |
— |