The Tayana 37 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Tayana 37, a long-keeled cutter, was designed by Bob Perry and built in Taiwan by Ta Yang Yacht Building.

A Tayana 37 sailboat on a mooring ball in Prickly Bay, Grenada, West Indies.

A Tayana 37 - a heavy displacement, long-keeled, canoe-sterned cruising boat.

Published Specification for the Tayana 37

Underwater Profile: Long Keel

Hull Material: GRP

Length Overall: 36'8" / 11.2m

Waterline Length: 31'0" /9.5m

Beam: 11'6" / 3.5m

Draft: 5'8" / 1.7m

Rig Type: Cutter

Displacement: 22,500lb / 10,206kg

Designer: Bob Perry

Builder: Ta Yang Yacht Building (Taiwan)

Year First Built: 1976

Number Built: 558

Owners Association: Tayana Owners Group

Tayana 37 Accommodation Layout

Published Design Ratios for the Tayana 37

A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 17.4 suggests that the Tayana 37 will, in the right conditions, approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors.

A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 35.6 means that unless the bulk of the ballast is concentrated in a bulb at the foot of her keel, the Tayana 37 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.

A Displacement/Length Ratio of 337, tells us the Tayana 37 is clearly a heavy displacement cruising boat. You can load her down with all your cruising gear and equipment and it will hardly affect her waterline. Not an ideal choice for coastal sailing, but she'll come into her own on an offshore passage in testing conditions.

Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 41.1 suggests that crew comfort of a Tayana 37 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a heavy bluewater cruising boat. Pitching and rolling will be well damped - your cup of coffee on the salon table stands a reasonable chance of staying there in most conditions.

The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.6 tells us that a Tayana 37 would be a considerably safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.

Design Ratios: Notes of Caution...

The Sail Area/Displacement Ratio (SA/D): This ratio provides an estimate of the sail power relative to the boat's weight, which can indicate potential speed in various wind conditions. But it doesn't account for the efficiency of the sail plan, the rigging, or the skill of the crew. Real-world performance can vary significantly based on these factors.

The Ballast/Displacement Ratio (B/D): This ratio gives an idea of the boat's stability and stiffness, which is crucial for handling and safety. But it doesn't consider the distribution of the ballast or the hull shape, both of which can greatly affect stability. A high B/D ratio alone doesn't guarantee a stable boat if the ballast is poorly distributed.

The Displacement/Length Ratio (D/L): This ratio helps predict the boat's speed potential and its behaviour in different sea conditions. But it doesn't account for the hull design or the boat's overall weight distribution. Two boats with the same D/L ratio can perform very differently if their hull shapes are different.

The Comfort Ratio (CR): This ratio estimates the boat's motion comfort in a seaway, which is important for long passages. But it doesn't consider the boat's interior layout, which can also affect comfort. Additionally, personal tolerance to motion varies, so a boat that is comfortable for one person might not be for another.

The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF): This formula assesses the likelihood of a boat capsizing in heavy seas, which is critical for offshore safety. But it doesn't take into account the boat's handling characteristics or the skill of the crew. A boat with a low CSF can still capsize if poorly handled in severe conditions.

General Limitations

Static Nature: These ratios are static measurements and don't account for dynamic factors like wave action, wind gusts, or crew actions.

Simplification: They simplify complex interactions into single numbers, which can be misleading. Real-world performance is influenced by a multitude of factors that these ratios can't fully capture.

Context: The context in which the boat is used (e.g., coastal cruising vs. offshore racing) can greatly affect how these ratios should be interpreted.

In summary, while these ratios provide valuable insights into the theoretical performance characteristics of a sailboat, they should be used as part of a broader assessment that includes practical experience, sea trials, and expert advice.