The C&C 36 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The C&C 36, an aft-cockpit sloop, was designed and built in Canada by C&C Yachts.

Shown here is the 36.1, the cruiser/racer version of the C&C 36

Published Specification for the C&C 36

Underwater Profile: Fin keel & spade rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 35'7" (10.9m)

Waterline Length: 27'9" (8.5m)

Beam: 11'6" (3.5m)

Draft: 5'11" (1.8m)

Rig Type: Sloop

Displacement: 12,000lb (5,443kg)

Designer: Cuthbertson & Cassian Ltd

Builder: C&C Yachts (Canada)

Year First Built: 1977

'Bel Canto', a C&C 36 for Sale

Location: Norwalk, Connecticut USA

Asking Price: $19,500

Published Design Ratios for the C&C 36

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 18.4

Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 41.7

Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 251

Under 100: Ultralight
100 to 200: Light
200 to 275: Moderate
275 to 350: Heavy
Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 23.8

Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 2.0

Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the C&C 36

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 18.4 suggests that the C&C 36 will, in the right conditions, approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 41.7 means that the C&C 36 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 251 tells us the C&C 36 is a moderate displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Most of today's sailboats intended for offshore cruising fall into this displacement category.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 23.8 suggests that crew comfort of a C&C 36 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability, which is not encouraging news for anyone prone to seasickness.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula of 2.0 tells us that a C&C 36 would not be as good a choice of sailboat for ocean passage-making, owing to the increased risk of capsize in strong winds and heavy seas, when compared to a sailboat with a CSF of less than 2.0.