The First 36 Beneteau is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
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 33.6′, the First 36 Beneteau tops out around 7.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √33.6′ LWL = 7.8 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
28.7
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
32.3%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
124
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
16.1
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.28
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
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
16.1
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.28
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the First 36 Beneteau sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
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° |
3.7 |
4.6 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.4 |
5.6 |
6.3 |
6.5 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.4 |
6.9 |
7.7 |
8.3 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
5.0 |
6.3 |
7.1 |
7.7 |
| Run150–180° |
4.0 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
5.9 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.8 kts),
SA/D (28.7), 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 First 36 Beneteau — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–16 kts
16–24 kts
24+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–16 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
16–24 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
24+ 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 First 36 Beneteau.
|
First 36 Beneteau |
Code 10 |
Dufour 39 Cc |
Farr 395 |
First 36 Se Beneteau |
Rm 1260 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
39.3 |
39.4 |
39.3 |
39.4 |
39.3 |
39.3 |
| LWL |
33.6 |
32.8 |
31.8 |
34.1 |
33.3 |
38.3 |
| Beam |
12.5 |
9.8 |
12.6 |
12.2 |
12.5 |
14.4 |
| Displacement |
10 |
4 |
15 |
12 |
9 |
17 |
| Ballast |
3 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
6 |
| Sail Area |
861 |
850 |
732 |
826 |
861 |
1 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
— |
33 |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
28.7 |
52.5 |
18.8 |
24.6 |
30.6 |
24.4 |
| Bal/Disp |
32.3 |
50.5 |
29.0 |
36.6 |
35.2 |
36.0 |
| Comfort |
16.1 |
8.9 |
24.3 |
19.4 |
14.7 |
19.7 |
| Capsize |
2.28 |
2.43 |
2.02 |
2.10 |
2.35 |
2.24 |
| Hull Speed |
7.8 |
7.7 |
7.6 |
7.8 |
7.7 |
8.3 |