The Cascade 36 Sailboat

The Cascade 36, a masthead sloop, was designed by Robert Smith and built in the USA by Cascade Yachts.

The Cascade 36 sloop 'Transcendence' making good progress under reefed jib and headsail

A cutter version was also produced. Earlier versions did not have a bowsprit.

Published Specification for the Cascade 36

Underwater Profile: Fin keel and spade rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fiberglass)

Length Overall: 35'7" (10.84m)

Waterline Length: 28'10" (8.80m)

Beam: 10'0" (3.0m)

Draft: 5'7" (1.71m)

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Displacement: 12,500lb (5,670kg)

Designer: Robert Smith

Builder: Cascade Yachts (USA)

Year First Built: 1967

Number Built: 156

Published Design Ratios for the Cascade 36

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 17.6

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: 35.5

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

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 232

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

4. Comfort Ratio: 29.1

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: 1.7

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 Cascade 36

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 17.6 suggests that the Cascade 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 35.5 means that unless the bulk of the ballast is concentrated in a bulb at the foot of her keel, the Cascade 36 will have a tendency to heel excessively in a gust, and she'll need to be reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 232, tells us the Cascade 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 29.1 suggests that crew comfort of a Cascade 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 (CSF) of 1.7 tells us that a Cascade 36 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.