The Princess 37 Robb is modestly canvassed and unhurried, with a gentle bluewater motion.
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 26.5′, the Princess 37 Robb tops out around 6.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √26.5′ LWL = 6.9 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
13.7
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Displacement / Length
480
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
52.0
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Capsize Screening
1.40
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
900lbs
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
52.0
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.40
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 Princess 37 Robb sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Buchan 37
144s/nm
Little Harbor 37
171s/nm
Tartan 37
174s/nm
Black Watch 37
177s/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° |
2.5 |
3.1 |
3.5 |
3.7 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
| Run150–180° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.9 |
4.0 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.9 kts),
SA/D (13.7), 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 Princess 37 Robb — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–22 kts
22–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–30 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
30+ 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 Princess 37 Robb.
|
Princess 37 Robb |
Black Watch 37 |
Buchan 37 |
Little Harbor 37 |
Prior 37 |
Tartan 37 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
37.0 |
37.0 |
37.0 |
37.0 |
37.0 |
37.0 |
| LWL |
26.5 |
25.0 |
27.2 |
25.6 |
26.5 |
25.5 |
| Beam |
9.5 |
10.5 |
9.8 |
10.5 |
10.1 |
10.5 |
| Displacement |
20 |
15 |
12 |
19 |
15 |
14 |
| Ballast |
— |
4 |
5 |
4 |
— |
4 |
| Sail Area |
627 |
597 |
626 |
618 |
— |
654 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
177 |
144 |
171 |
— |
174 |
| SA/Disp |
13.7 |
15.4 |
18.4 |
13.9 |
— |
17.6 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
27.1 |
46.1 |
— |
— |
— |
| Comfort |
52.0 |
36.6 |
31.6 |
44.3 |
36.0 |
34.0 |
| Capsize |
1.40 |
1.69 |
1.67 |
1.58 |
1.64 |
1.72 |
| Hull Speed |
6.9 |
6.7 |
7.0 |
6.8 |
6.9 |
6.8 |