CD 36 - how fast are they ?

[cowabunga kid]

I am a provisional entrant in the 2022 GGR - i am wondering about a CD 36 as they look like a nice boat and there were none of them in the 2018 edition of the race ..... i have never been on one and am wondering how fast they are ... it is a race after all. Could a CD 36 really be competitive with a Rustler 36 or a Biscay 36 ? Have any of you sailed against these designs ?

[Steve Laume]

Those Rustlers sure were popular in the past edition.

I am not sure how the CD-36 compares to them as far as speed is concerned. You could look it up on a sail calculator on line. I don't have a link but there are comparisons for all makes and models of boats. I am not certain that speed is the most important factor. You are not going to win, place or finish if the boat doesn't hold up. Cape Dorys are solid boats with robust rigs. That is probably more important than theoretical speed.

Good bottom paint also seems to be a critical item, Steve.

[Jim_B]

Using straight design specs - they look pretty comparable. I'm surprised the SA/Disp is so low on the Rustler (perhaps the staysail isn't included)

CD36-Russler36.PNG

[Jim Walsh]

Using straight design specs - they look pretty comparable. I'm surprised the SA/Disp is so low on the Rustler

CD36-Russler36.PNG

The claimed sail area for the Rustler is suspect even though it is as reported in sailboatdata. My CD31 has 504 square feet when a 100% foretriangle calculation is used. Clearly the Rustler has more sail area. Perhaps 100% foretriangle calculation was used for that figure also.
My actual working sail consists of a main, staysail, and yankee, 613 square feet of sail in all.

[cowabunga kid]

thanks for the responses - i am new to the forum so had assumed that i would get an email when people responded ... lucky i checked back - the specs posted by Jim_B look interesting don't they - i am trying to compare 2 boats i have never stepped on which is always challenging !

[Chrisa006]

There is too much good stuff on this site to not check in every few days, even if you have sold your CD. I learn something each time.

[Paul D.]

I would take a CD36 on that race. Hell I'd take my boat, with some serious fitting out mind you. I suspect the CD36 may have been in general, pricier than the Tradewinds and the Rustlers, and that is why it may not have been chosen for modification for that race. Somethings I would check in detail on any CD would be the chain plates, decks and cockpit sole moisture, motor mounts/stringers and the main bulkhead attachment to the cabin top.

John Stone on this board would be a good guy to talk with about structural considerations of the 36. I'll just volunteer him here!

[John Stone]

Cowabunga
Sure. The CD 36 is fast. Fast enough to beat a Rustler 36 if you know what you are doing and the boats are equally set up, tuned up etc. The 36 is also strong enough providing nothing freakishly catastrophic occurs.

But, Steve L is correct. The GG is about strategy and human and boat endurance more than speed.

I tried to enter the past Golden Globe. The race founder, Don McIntyre rejected my boat, the Far Reach, as his position was modification to the boat is not allowed...which he claimed was designed to avoid causing entrants to spend a lot of money to gain an edge. But my boat rebuild was already complete by then and in fact the boat was already launched. I countered with the position that my boat was more in keeping with the original entrants...more true to the spirit of the original race. I have kerosene running lights, hank on head sails, hand spliced standing rigging, 6” tall bulwarks, a four foot taller rig, no electronics, no engine. Knox Johnson’s engine did not work and Moitessier had removed the engine on Joshua. And why did I need an engine for a sailboat race round the world anyway?

He said I would have to reinstall the engine and convert back to the original rig etc. So, I would have to spend more money to make it stock which was counter to his claimed rationale to keep the race economically reasonable. I thought it was silly as none of the qualified boats are the same anyway, e.g. different PERFs. And then there were other silly rules like no digital film or cameras allowed. It was aggravating.

Nonetheless, it’s a tough race no doubt about it. I’d do it in a CD 36 but I’d definitely reinforce the bulkheads, check the chain plates, reinforce the engine mounts (to keep it in place for the inevitable knock downs) and make a few other changes like add a gallows, remove the eyebrow trim, etc. It’s going to be wet enough without having unnecessary leaks. I’d see if you are allowed to convert to a tiller too. I’d probably come up with some other mods as well. Let me know if you want to chat about it.

Good luck.

[mgphl52]

I’d see if you are allowed to convert to a tiller too.
Good luck.

Damn! I love that comment... as I've posted before,
"in all my years of sailing, I have yet to see a tiller boat carry an emergency wheel"
Heheh, and I also foot-loose...

[cowabunga kid]

John Stone - i sent you an email .... maybe you are away sailing ... ?

[John Stone]

John Stone - i sent you an email .... maybe you are away sailing ... ?

Cowabunga. Well yes I am in fact off sailing. In the West Indies. See thread “Where is the Far Reach Part II.”

But I have email. And a phone.

Never saw your email. When did you send it?