The Impala 36 Peterson is aggressively canvassed for its weight, 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 28.5′, the Impala 36 Peterson tops out around 7.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √28.5′ 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
24.0
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
50.9%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
246
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
27.0
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.86
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
27.0
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
1.86
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 Impala 36 Peterson sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
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° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.0 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.0 |
6.3 |
7.1 |
7.2 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.6 |
5.8 |
6.5 |
6.8 |
| Run150–180° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.2 kts),
SA/D (24.0), 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 Impala 36 Peterson — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–18 kts
18–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–28 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 Impala 36 Peterson.
|
Impala 36 Peterson |
Cc 36 1 |
Columbia 36 |
Freeport 36 Islander |
Galway 36 Westerly |
Solway 36 Westerly |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
35.8 |
35.7 |
35.8 |
35.8 |
35.8 |
35.8 |
| LWL |
28.5 |
27.8 |
27.8 |
27.5 |
30.3 |
30.3 |
| Beam |
10.8 |
11.5 |
10.5 |
12.0 |
11.2 |
11.2 |
| Displacement |
12 |
12 |
12 |
17 |
17 |
17 |
| Ballast |
6 |
5 |
5 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
| Sail Area |
817 |
599 |
556 |
659 |
616 |
500 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
162 |
— |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
24.0 |
18.4 |
17.0 |
16.0 |
14.8 |
12.0 |
| Bal/Disp |
50.9 |
41.7 |
41.7 |
44.3 |
47.8 |
— |
| Comfort |
27.0 |
23.8 |
26.8 |
32.0 |
33.9 |
33.8 |
| Capsize |
1.86 |
2.01 |
1.84 |
1.87 |
1.73 |
1.73 |
| Hull Speed |
7.2 |
7.1 |
7.1 |
7.0 |
7.4 |
7.4 |