High Tension 36 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The High Tension 36 began its production run in 1974, following the success of its prototype in the One-Ton Cup. This era marked a significant period for International Offshore Rule (IOR) racing, where designers like Jacobus de Ridder pushed the boundaries of yacht design to optimize speed and handling under the complex rating rules of the time. The High Tension 36, along with the aluminum-hulled Huisman 37, shared its design lineage with this successful racing prototype, indicating a clear intention for high performance.

Constructed by Southern Ocean Shipyard Ltd. in Poole, Dorset, England, the High Tension 36 benefited from the yard's commitment to building high-quality, capable offshore yachts. Southern Ocean Shipyard was renowned for its robust construction, utilizing hand-laid marine-grade glassfibre reinforced polyester, often exceeding the stringent standards of Lloyds. This manufacturing ethos ensured that even a race-derived design like the High Tension 36 possessed the durability and strength necessary for serious offshore sailing, providing owners with a solid platform despite its performance aspirations. Information regarding significant variations during its production run is not readily available.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The High Tension 36 is designed with a fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder, a configuration typical of performance-oriented yachts of its era, known for offering excellent control and efficient hydrodynamics. With a length overall of just under 36 feet and a waterline length of 31.5 feet, she carries a displacement of 19,450 lbs. Her Displacement to Length Ratio (D/L) calculates to approximately 277.8. This places her in the category of a moderately heavy cruiser, suggesting a comfortable motion in a seaway and the ability to carry stores for longer voyages, while still maintaining respectable performance rather than being an ultra-light displacement flyer.

The sail plan, a masthead sloop, provides a total calculated sail area of 601.41 square feet. Calculating the Sail Area to Displacement Ratio (SA/D) yields a value of approximately 13.35 (using a common formula based on displacement in pounds and sail area in square feet). While this number is not indicative of an extreme light-air ghoster compared to some modern designs, it suggests a powerful rig for her displacement, particularly once the wind builds. Her design, rooted in One-Ton Cup racing, implies a focus on upwind efficiency and a balanced helm, capable of standing up to a breeze and making good progress offshore. The hull speed is calculated at 7.52 knots, a strong indicator of her potential for spirited cruising and racing. Anecdotal descriptions suggest the High Tension 36 exhibits confident handling, a characteristic prized in yachts designed for competitive offshore events.

Accommodations and Layout

While detailed specifications on the interior layout are limited in the available data, general reviews indicate that the High Tension 36 offers a surprisingly spacious interior for a boat derived from a racing prototype. It has been noted as being more spacious than many comparable sailboats of its time. This suggests that while its primary design focus was performance, the designer Jacobus de Ridder, also considered the liveability below decks.

Typical layouts for a 36-foot performance cruiser of the 1970s would generally include a forward V-berth, a head compartment, a main salon with settees that convert to berths, a galley, and potentially a quarter berth or two aft. Given its racing origins, the interior finish might lean towards functional robustness rather than opulent luxury, often featuring a blend of fiberglass liners and wood trim. While the search results noted a potentially "deep" interior and that some "former race boats of that era...may be a little short on ventilation", the emphasis on overall spaciousness implies a practical and comfortable environment for coastal cruising or extended periods aboard, even if ventilation might require specific attention.