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ISLANDER 36

ISLANDER 36

Islander Yachts🇺🇸· Design: Alan P. Gurney
$25,983 avg$4,000 – $69,500 (24 listings)1971–1986770 built
$2.1K – $5.6K est. annual maintenance
Offshore CruisermonoMasthead SloopFin
Islander 36 Association

Specifications

Hull

LOA36.08 ft
LWL28.25 ft
Beam11.17 ft
Draft6 ft
Displacement13,450 lb
Ballast5,449.9 lb
Hull speed1.34·√LWL7.1 kn

Rig & Sails

Iforetriangle height45 ft
Jforetriangle base14.48 ft
Pmainsail luff41.3 ft
Emainsail foot12.8 ft
FLforestay14.5 ft
Mainsail596 sq ft
Jib (100%)325.8 sq ft
Spinnaker573.8 sq ft

About the ISLANDER 36

With nearly 800 boats built this was one of the most successful models from Islander Yachts. During it''s production history the ISLANDER 36 was delivered with the following engines (in a an approximate cronological order): Universal Atomic 4 -Gas Palmer P-60 - Gas Perkins 4-108 - Diesel Westerbeke L-25 - Diesel Pathfinder - Diesel Yanmar - Diesel It is said that the molds for the ISLANDER 36 were purchased by Newport Offshore Yachts of CA, USA in 1986. But it is not known if any other boats were built after this date. SHOAL KEEL: Draft: 4.9'/1.45m Displacement: 13,600 lbs Ballast: 5,600 lbs I(IG):47.00' / 14.33m J: 14.48' / 4.41m P: 41.30' / 12.59m E: 12.80' / 3.90m

Sailpages Buyer's Take

Designed by Alan P. Gurney and built by Islander Yachts (USA) from 1971–1986, the Islander 36 is a substantial cruising sloop with 770 hulls produced. Its heavy displacement of 13450.0 lb and D/L ratio of 266.33 reflect a design prioritizing stability and comfort over pure speed.

Best for:
This boat suits coastal and offshore cruisers who value a spacious interior and heavy-weather capability, particularly those willing to manage significant maintenance on aging fiberglass and mechanical systems.
Bluewater capability:
With a capsize ratio of 1.88 and a comfort ratio of 27.3, the Islander 36 is well-suited for bluewater cruising, offering a stable platform that handles heavy seas with ease.
Comparables:
Comparable to the Cal 40 and Tartan 36 due to similar heavy-displacement, fin-keel sloop configurations from the same era, though the Islander often features a more modern interior layout for its time.

Performance

Comfort27.3
Capsize1.88
SA/Disp16.4
Disp/Len266
Bal/Disp40.5

ORC Performance Data(3 certificates)

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

Polar Diagram

24680°30°60°90°120°150°180°WIND
4kn6kn8kn10kn12kn14kn16kn20kn24knbeat VMGrun VMG

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

Racing Ratings

GPH674.7 s/miOSN655.1

Triple Number

LowMedHighOffshore0.76950.99931.1180Inshore0.60230.82040.9497

ORC Measured

Displacement6203 kg (13678 lb)Wetted surface26.4 m² (285 ft²)Stability index39.4

Sail Areas (ORC)

Main29.2 m² (314 ft²)Genoa43.4 m² (467 ft²)Spinnaker59.2 m² (637 ft²)Asymmetric60.4 m² (650 ft²)

Speed Table (kn)

TWA \ TWS468101214162024
52°3.64.85.76.36.66.76.86.96.9
60°3.85.15.96.46.76.97.07.17.1
75°4.05.26.16.66.97.07.27.47.5
90°3.95.16.06.66.97.17.37.67.8
110°3.85.16.26.87.17.47.67.98.1
120°3.65.06.06.77.17.47.68.18.5
135°3.34.55.66.46.97.27.58.18.8
150°2.73.95.05.86.56.97.27.88.4
Beat VMG2.33.23.84.34.64.84.95.04.9
Run VMG2.33.44.35.15.86.36.77.37.8

Images

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1983 I-36 Sales Brochure - Page 1
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1983 I-36 Sales Brochure - Page 3
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Islander Rigging Guide
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Estimated Value

Medium Confidence
Based on 19 listings
Low
$10,170
Estimated Value
$14,910
High
$18,495
Boats sell for ~0% below asking price (based on 7 actual sales) · Inflation-adjusted to 2026 USD

Asking price by model year

26 listings · boat years 19721984 · median $24,850

$0$20k$40k$60kmedian $24,8501975198019851984 Islander 36 · $37,500 · Outside United States1972 Islander 36' Sloop · $21,500 · South Carolina, US1977 Islander 36 · $41,000 · Outside United States, CA1977 Islander 36' · $15,000 · Rhode Island, US1972 Islander Islander 36 · $12,000 · Michigan, US1972 Islander 36 · $6,000 · Outside United States1974 Islander 36 · $20,000 · Outside United States1973 Islander Yachts I36 · $49,900 · California, US1977 islander i36 · $17,000 · Outside United States1974 Islander 36 · $28,000 · California, US1981 islander 36 · $27,000 · Outside United States1973 Islander 36 · $4,000 · Outside United States1973 Islander I-36 · $16,900 · Virginia, US1972 Islander 36 · $25,000 · Idaho, US1972 Islander I36 · $10,000 · Florida, US1978 Islander 36 · $29,500 · California, US1972 Islander 36 sloop · $22,000 · Florida, US1978 36 · $24,850 · CA, US1978 36 · $34,900 · MD, US1977 Islander 36 · $25,5001976 Islander 36 Tall rig · $16,540 · Croatia1978 Islander islander 36 · $34,900 · MD1976 Islander islander 36 · $20,000 · CA1979 Islander islander freeport 36 · $69,500 · CA1976 Islander islander 36 · $16,900 · CA1977 Islander islander freeport 36 · $41,500 · LAAsking price (USD)Boat model year

Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.

Estimated Cost of Ownership

Based on 36.08ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.

$/ft/mo
Annual Maintenance
$2.1K – $5.6K
Hull, rigging, sails, engine service
Annual Docking
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Articles & Reviews

Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection

38 reported issues across 11 systems for the ISLANDER 36, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.

12 critical16 major10 minor
Structural8Rigging5Keel4Deck4Engine4Rudder3Hull3Plumbing3Interior2Safety1Electrical1

Unlock the full inspection report

Thinking of buying a ISLANDER 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 38 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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Engine Parts & Maintenance

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Used sails that fit the ISLANDER 36

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