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86data points analyzed by Sailpages.com to compile this FOUNDATION 36 buyer’s report
FOUNDATION 36

FOUNDATION 36

Peter Milner Yachts· Design: Brett Bakewell-White
from 199545 built
$1.9K – $5.1K est. annual maintenance
Performance RacermonoFractional SloopFin
World Match Racing Tour

Specifications

Hull

LOA35.63 ft
LWL33 ft
Beam11.42 ft
Draft6.23 ft
Displacement8,487 lb
Hull speed1.34·√LWL7.7 kn

About the FOUNDATION 36

The Foundation 36 was designed in 1995 to create a new fleet for the inaugural World Match Racing Championships held in Perth, Western Australia. The original fleet is now used for the Monsoon Cup in Malaysia, while the fleet in Perth has developed into a club racer fleet of some 40 boats.

Sailpages Buyer's Take

Designed by Brett Bakewell-White and built by Peter Milner Yachts, the Foundation 36 is a compact yet capable cruiser with only 45 hulls built in 1995. Its fractional sloop rig and 8487.0 lb displacement offer a balance of performance and stability for its 35.63 ft LOA.

Best for:
This boat suits coastal cruisers and short-handed sailors who prioritize a manageable 33.0 ft LWL and fractional rig for easier handling, while appreciating the robust build quality of a limited-production Australian design.
Bluewater capability:
With a low capsize ratio of 2.24 and a moderate comfort ratio of 15.15, the Foundation 36 is suitable for protected offshore passages, though its 6.23 ft max draft limits access to shallow anchorages.
Comparables:
Comparable to other late-1990s Australian fractional sloops like the Southern Cross 36 or smaller Beneteau models, it shares a similar emphasis on interior volume and coastal cruising comfort within the 35-foot range.

Performance

Comfort15.2
Capsize2.24
SA/Disp31.6
Disp/Len105

ORC Performance Data(3 certificates)

Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.

Polar Diagram

24681012140°30°60°90°120°150°180°WIND
4kn6kn8kn10kn12kn14kn16kn20kn24knbeat VMGrun VMG

Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC

Racing Ratings

GPH590.7 s/miOSN573.8

Triple Number

LowMedHighOffshore0.93001.16061.2935Inshore0.72800.95371.0772

ORC Measured

Displacement3824 kg (8431 lb)Wetted surface23.9 m² (257 ft²)Stability index39.1

Sail Areas (ORC)

Main39.9 m² (429 ft²)Genoa30.6 m² (330 ft²)Spinnaker90.1 m² (970 ft²)Asymmetric61.6 m² (663 ft²)

Speed Table (kn)

TWA \ TWS468101214162024
52°4.45.96.87.27.47.57.67.67.7
60°4.76.27.07.47.67.77.87.97.9
75°4.96.37.17.57.88.08.28.48.5
90°4.76.27.17.57.98.28.58.99.2
110°4.86.37.37.98.38.68.99.510.1
120°4.66.27.37.98.48.99.410.311.2
135°3.95.56.87.58.18.79.411.413.7
150°3.34.75.86.87.58.08.610.013.3
Beat VMG2.83.94.75.25.35.45.55.55.5
Run VMG2.94.15.05.96.67.27.68.711.5

Pricing

We don't have market pricing data for the FOUNDATION 36 yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.

Estimated Cost of Ownership

Based on 35.63ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.

$/ft/mo
Annual Maintenance
$1.9K – $5.1K
Hull, rigging, sails, engine service
Annual Docking
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Annual Insurance
N/A
No price data available

Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection

7 reported issues across 5 systems for the FOUNDATION 36, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.

4 critical2 major1 minor
Rudder2Rigging2Deck1Engine1Keel1

Unlock the full inspection report

Thinking of buying a FOUNDATION 36? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.

  • All 7 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
  • Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
  • Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep

One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep

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Used sails that fit the FOUNDATION 36

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