The First 36S7 Beneteau is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, 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 31.1′, the First 36S7 Beneteau tops out around 7.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √31.1′ LWL = 7.5 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
20.6
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
31.2%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
174
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
19.4
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.19
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
SA/Disp (Calculated)
18.8
Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
8lbs
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
19.4
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
2.19
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
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° |
3.3 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.0 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.8 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.9 |
6.1 |
6.9 |
7.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.5 |
5.7 |
6.3 |
6.9 |
| Run150–180° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.5 kts),
SA/D (20.6), 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 First 36S7 Beneteau — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ 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 36S7 Beneteau.
|
First 36S7 Beneteau |
Centurion 36 |
Hunter 36 Legend |
Oceanis 350 Beneteau |
Sun Dance 36 Jeanneau |
Sun Odyssey 36 Jeanneau |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
35.8 |
35.7 |
35.7 |
35.8 |
35.8 |
35.8 |
| LWL |
31.1 |
28.8 |
31.5 |
30.8 |
30.8 |
30.8 |
| Beam |
12.4 |
12.3 |
12.3 |
12.1 |
12.1 |
12.1 |
| Displacement |
11 |
16 |
14 |
13 |
12 |
12 |
| Ballast |
3 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
| Sail Area |
660 |
902 |
721 |
592 |
570 |
602 |
| Performance |
| SA/Disp |
20.6 |
22.7 |
19.7 |
16.9 |
16.8 |
17.8 |
| Bal/Disp |
31.2 |
33.6 |
35.7 |
35.0 |
36.9 |
35.1 |
| Comfort |
19.4 |
28.4 |
23.6 |
— |
— |
— |
| Capsize |
2.19 |
1.96 |
2.04 |
— |
— |
— |
| Hull Speed |
7.5 |
7.2 |
7.5 |
— |
— |
— |