361 Displacement

[Ken Cobb]

In past years Beneteau used to list the displacement of the 361 as only about 12,800 lbs, which made it about 1,000 lbs. lighter than its main competitors, the Hunter 36 and the Catalina 36. In terms of seaworthiness statistics, such as the capsize screen, this seemed to put the 361 at a disadvantage. Yet is always seemed odd to me that the 361 was that much lighter, given that its overall dimensions were about the same as those two competitor boats.Now I see that the BeneteauUSA web site now lists the 361 as 13,800 lbs. My question is, does this represent an actual change in the boat, or did Beneteau have the displacement listed wrong all along?

 

[Jose Venegas]

Thank you for pointing it out

I tried to see if Beneteau France website had also changed the displacement of the boat, but they no longer have info on the 361. One advantage I see is the higher PHRF and AMERICAP rating that we may get for this increase in displacement. As to the sea wordiness of the boat, my understanding is that the important parameter is not the capsize screen number but the angle of positive stability. For the 361 that angle is >140 which qualifies the 361 for off shore races like the Marion-Bermuda race.