The Frigate 36 Sailboat

The Frigate 36, a long-keeled sloop, was designed by C&C (George Cuthbertson & George Cassian) and built in Canada by Belleville Marine Yards.

A fully-restored Frigate 36 sailboat, 'La Galouine'

A Frigate 36 flying a riding sail on the backstay to reduce swinging at anchor.

Published Specification for the Frigate 36

Underwater Profile: Long keel (with centre-board)

Hull Material: GRP (Fiberglass)

Length Overall: 35'8" (10.9m)

Waterline Length: 24'5" (7.4m)

Beam: 10'2" (3.1m)

Draft: 7'2" (2.2m max), 3'7" (1.1m min)

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Displacement: 12,250lb (5,557kg)

Designer: C&C (George Cuthbertson & George Cassian)

Builder: Belleville Marine Yards (Canada)

Year First Built: 1968

Year Last Built: 1971

Number Built: 36

Published Design Ratios for the Frigate 36

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 16.0

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: 44.9

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

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 355

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

4. Comfort Ratio: 29.2

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: 1.8

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 Frigate 36

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 16.0 suggests that the Frigate 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 44.9 means that the Frigate 36 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 355, tells us the Frigate 36 is in the ultra-heavy displacement category. Load her up as much as you like and her performance will be hardly affected, not that it was ever startling. Few if any sailboats are built to this displacement category these days - but they remain popular with some long-distance sailors.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 29.2 suggests that crew comfort of a Frigate 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 1.8 tells us that a Frigate 36 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.