Design and Construction
At 9,700 pounds, with a 10.8-foot beam and a 28.2-foot waterline, the Ravage 36 is a moderate-displacement monohull. Its length-to-beam ratio is 3.37, and its displacement-length ratio of 192 places it among moderate racers rather than heavy cruisers. The ballast ratio is 42 percent.
Both the hull and deck are fiberglass, but their construction differs: the deck is solid fiberglass, while the hull uses a balsa-cored sandwich specified to improve the interior climate. That detail sets the Ravage 36 apart from solid-laminate contemporaries.
Bianca A/S also sold the model for owners to complete at home, and a handful were finished at other yards. As a result, individual boats may differ considerably in execution. Yard-finished and amateur-finished examples share the same structural concept, but not necessarily the same consistency of structure and systems.
Rig and Performance
The fractional sloop rig carries 571 square feet of sail. Its sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 19.7 using the ISO reference sail, rising to 22.5 with a 135-percent genoa. Combined with the displacement-length ratio of 192, those figures describe a lively boat without suggesting an extreme design.
The theoretical hull speed is 7.1 knots. The record also lists a calculated maximum of about 4.0 knots alongside a Relative Speed Performance of 82. The wetted surface is about 355 square feet.
Draft ranges from 6.07 to 6.37 feet depending on load, restricting the boat to major marinas. The capsize screening value is 2.03, which would bar the Ravage 36 from sanctioned ocean races. Its Motion Comfort Ratio is 20.3, with an immersion rate near 189 kg/cm.
Accommodations
Below, the Ravage 36 has above-average headroom and a mahogany interior typical of many boats from its era. The cabin is designed to allow comfortable standing room and is finished in traditional hardwood rather than laminate.
The balsa-sandwich hull was also intended to improve the interior climate, contributing to a livable cabin within the boat’s 36-foot envelope.
Known Issues and Inspection Points
The main caveat is the home-completion program, which introduced potential differences in build quality between boats. When assessing a particular Ravage 36, it’s important to establish whether Bianca A/S completed it, another yard finished it, or it was completed privately. That history bears directly on the consistency of its structure and systems.
The saildrive leg also merits close inspection on any used example, particularly its seal and corrosion history. Where records exist, the saildrive and lead fin keel are straightforward to service.
As with any sandwich-built boat, breached core material can be a concern. If fasteners or impact have compromised the hull skin, the balsa core carries the usual risk of moisture ingress. The relatively modest wetted surface keeps the antifouling area manageable.
The Verdict
The Ravage 36 is a thoughtfully proportioned late-1970s design from a reputable Danish builder. Its moderate-racer dimensions and sail area give it a lively performance profile, while the standing headroom, mahogany joinery, and climate-conscious hull construction make the cabin appealing.
The small production run and home-completion option mean that individual inspection is essential. Even so, the underlying concept is sound.
Pros
- Balsa-cored hull specified to improve the cabin climate
- Moderate-racer proportions, with a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 22.5 under a 135-percent genoa
- Above-average headroom and a traditional mahogany interior
Cons
- Home completion introduced potential quality differences between boats
- Draft of 6.07–6.37 feet limits marina access
- Capsize screening value of 2.03 excludes the boat from sanctioned ocean racing
