Review of Norlin 37

Norlin 37.

Basic specs.

The Norlin 37 is a sailboat designed by the Swedish maritime architect Peter Norlin. The Norlin 37 is built by the Swedish yard Vikens Varv.

Looking for a new boat? Find a Norlin 37 or similar boat for sale

Hull

The hull is made of fibreglass. Generally, a hull made of fibreglass requires only a minimum of maintenance during the sailing season.
The hull is a double hull which improves the indoor climate. Especially when the water is colder than the air in the cabin, then the double hull insulates against cold water and reduce the condense water in the cabin.

Interior

Floor plan of Norlin 37.

Interior of Norlin 37.

The interior is like many other boats made of mahogany.
The boat is equipped with 2 cabins, 7 berths, a galley and toilet facility.
Note: the boat has also been sold to be self-made/-interiored, which means that the quality of each boat may vary.

Front cabin of Norlin 37 anno 1975.

Chart table of Norlin 37 anno 1975.

Galley of Norlin 37 anno 1975.

Bathroom of Norlin 37.

Cockpit

Cockpit of Norlin 37.

Rig

Rig of Norlin 37.

The boat equipped with a masthead rig. The advantage of a masthead rig is its simplicity and the fact that a given sail area - compared with a fractional rig - can be carried lower and thus with less heeling moment.

Keel

Keel of Norlin 37 anno 1975.

Engine

Norlin 37 is typically equipped with various engines at 35.0 hp (26 kW), which gives a max speed about 6.1 knots.

Sailing characteristics

This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.

Stability and Safety

What is Capsize Screening Formula (CSF)?

The capsize screening value for Norlin 37 is 1.90, indicating that this boat could - if evaluated by this formula alone - be accepted to participate in ocean races.

Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed

What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?

The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 7.3 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.

Immersion rate

The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Norlin 37 is about 217 kg/cm, alternatively 1215 lbs/inch.
Meaning: if you load 217 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 1215 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.

Sailing statistics

This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.

Motion Comfort Ratio

What is Motion Comfort Ratio (MCR)?

The Motion Comfort Ratio for Norlin 37 is 28.0.

Comparing this ratio with similar sailboats show that it is more comfortable than 54% of all similar sailboat designs. This comfort value is just above average.

L/B (Length Beam Ratio)

What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?

The l/b ratio for Norlin 37 is 3.07.

Compared with other similar sailboats it is more spacy than 66% of all other designs. It seems that the designer has chosen a slightly more spacy hull design.

D/L (Displacement Length Ratio)

What is Displacement Length Ratio?

The DL-ratio for Norlin 37 is 267 which categorizes this boat among 'light crusers & offshore racers'.

46% of all similar sailboat designs are categorized as heavier. A heavy displacement combined with smaller water plane area has lower acceleration and is more comfortable.

SA/D (Sail Area Displacement ratio)

What is SA/D (Sail Area Displacement ratio)?

The SA/D for Norlin 37 with ISO 8666 reference sail is 17.6, with a 135% genua the SA/D is 21.2.

The SA/D ratio indicates that it is faster than 58% of all similar sailboat designs in light wind.

RSP (Relative Speed Performance)

What is Relative Speed Performance?

The Relative Speed Performance for Norlin 37 is 50

The relative speed performance is 50 which means that a it is faster than 50% of all similar sailboat designs.

Maintenance

Rig

Dimensions of sail for masthead rig.

Are your sails worn out? You might find your next sail here: Sails for Sale

If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.

**Guiding dimensions of running rig**
Usage	Length		Diameter
Mainsail halyard	35.3 m	(115.8 feet)	12 mm	(1/2 inch)
Jib/genoa halyard	35.3 m	(115.8 feet)	12 mm	(1/2 inch)
Spinnaker halyard	35.3 m	(115.8 feet)	12 mm	(1/2 inch)
Jib sheet	11.1 m	(36.3 feet)	14 mm	(0.55 inch)
Genoa sheet	11.1 m	(36.3 feet)	14 mm	(0.55 inch)
Mainsheet	27.6 m	(90.6 feet)	14 mm	(0.55 inch)
Spinnaker sheet	24.3 m	(79.8 feet)	14 mm	(0.55 inch)
Cunningham	3.8 m	(12.5 feet)	12 mm	(1/2 inch)
Kickingstrap	7.6 m	(24.9 feet)	12 mm	(1/2 inch)
Clew-outhaul	7.6 m	(24.9 feet)	12 mm	(1/2 inch)

Boat owner's ideas

This section is reserved boat owner's changes, improvements, etc. Here you might find (or contribute with) inspiration for your boat.

Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what you have done.

Finally

We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for Norlin 37 it would be a great help.

If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us. Criticism helps us to improve.

References

[Ref 1]: ISO 8666 Small craft — Principal data.
[Ref 3]: ISO 12215-5 Small craft — Hull construction and scantlings.