The Islander 36 (I36) is a true classic and depending on whose numbers you believe, there were somewhere between 700 and 800 hulls built between 1973 and 1986 making it an extremely successful design.
Islander production was located in Southern California along with other classic builders like Columbia and Jensen Marine that built Cals. In fact, it is rumored that for a while, Ericsons, Pearsons and Islanders were built in the same locale. Hundreds of hulls were produced and shipped all over the US and Canada with about 25% of them selling into the Northern California Bay Area.
Alan Gurney's objective in the design of the I36 was to create a "36-foot yacht that would be a competitive machine but also could cruise a family comfortably." Since Gurney was also responsible for go fast classics like Windward Passage, Guinevere and Great Britain II, the I36 racing pedigree was guaranteed. These are fast and stiff boats with a 40% ballast to displacement ratio and even 30 years later, they still hold their own on the race course. The I36 will do 8 knots and practically steer herself in 20-30 knot winds without being overpowered, however it can feel a little sluggish in light air.
The Islander 36 was built in 4 pieces with the two hull halves, the deck and the liner - a process similar to the port and starboard construction of a Swan. It took about 700 hours to manufacture one of these modified fin keel, full skeg rudder boats. The hulls are solid glass with a through-bolted plywood cored deck topped with an alloy toe rail. Most of the models had lead ballast but some of the early boats are said to have iron in the keel. Also, a few of the mid-70s models reported blistering problems but some of that had to do with whether the boat was kept in cold or warm waters and if it was a year-round vessel or if it was decommissioned for the winter as in the Great Lakes area. Since the hulls stayed mostly the same, the models differed throughout the years by the options and conveniences that were offered. For example, folding props and shoal draft keels were optional as were interior details such as refrigeration and battery chargers.
Cockpit, Deck & Rigging
The sail area is about 600 square feet on a double spreader, high aspect ratio rig. Those who have raced an I36 describe it as "going fast on a stiff boat with small sails" since the design really pushes the maximum power from its rig.
The I36 cockpit is large and comfortable for six and features lockers under the seats. A swim ladder on the reverse transom was an added feature on the later 1970s models. The decks are wide and clear and there is good access to the anchor locker that also appeared on the late 70s versions.
Builder: Islander Yachts, Irvine CA
Designer: Islander Yachts
Layout & Accommodations
The layout below begins with a sizeable V-berth and a head/shower combination to port. In the salon, there are two straight settees on port and starboard separated with a table that folds up to the bulkhead to create a feeling of spaciousness. An L-shaped galley on starboard has a double sink and a three burner LPG stove. On port, there is a nav station that is outboard facing and the quarter berth behind it forms a seat.
Dimensions
LOA: 36ft 1in
Beam: 11ft 2in
Minimum Draft: 6ft 0in
Maximum Draft: 6ft 0in Lead Keel
Headroom: 6 ft 4 in
Peregrine Specifications
Engine
Yanmar 3Gm30 1200 hours
Year Built: 1972
Engine Type: Inboard
Engine/Fuel Type: Diesel
Propeller: 13" fixed pitch
Drive Type: Direct Drive
Cruising Speed: 6.5 knots
2800 RPM Fuel burn 0.6 gal per hr
Tanks
Fresh Water Tanks: 2 Aluminum (30 Gallons)
Fuel Tanks: 1 Aluminum (30 Gallons)
Holding Tanks: 1 (15 Gallons)
Accommodations
Number of single berths: 3
Number of double berths: 2
Number of cabins: 1
Number of heads: 1
Electronics
Raymarine Evolution EV-100 Wheel Autopilot Pack w/ P70 Control Head
Radar JRC
Garmin GPS / Sounder / Plotter
Radio/CD player - with cabin speakers
Compass ob pedastal
Solar: 2 - 120w, 6Ahr panels w/charge controller
110v Battery chargers x2
Primary deep cell battery bank (2 - 80Ahr) new 6/2016
Backup deep cell battery bank (2 - 80Ahr) new 6/2011
Shore power inlet
Sails
Mainsail, 3 reef points, heavy fabric (new 2014)
Profurl, roller furling (new 2013)
Genoa - 110, 150
Spinnaker
Rigging
Steering wheel - with emergency tiller
Ground Tackle
Lewmar V1 windless
35 Delta anchor
Fortress (backup)
Inside Equipment
Ice box
Marine head (manual)
Electric bilge pump with backup
Outside Equipment/Extras
Cockpit cushions
Cockpit table
Swimming ladder
Covers
Iverson Dodger (new 2016)
Bimini
Canopy
Mainsail cover
Cockpit cover
Lazyjacks
Genoa cover
Bimini Top
Islander 36: Alan Gurney, NA. Presently living on the Isle of Islay off Scotland's west coast. Still l designs an occasional cruiser. Now an author, currently finished writing a book "Below the Convergence". Sailing magazine says it's a "cracker to read". Alan Gurney designed the hull and rig. Joe Artese designed from the sheerline up and the interior. There are approximately 120 on the SFO bay and delta area. There were approximately 720 built. One of the most successful runs of a production boat. Hull #13 is still on the SFO bay owned by a member of the Golden Gate Yacht Club. Molds were sold to Newport Offshore yachts. Mold location unknown. The San Francisco I36 association is now 23 years old. Races one-design and cruises to many locations in and around the bay area including the near coastal waters. Cost: 1975 at $29,932, 1978 at $47,400. Years of production were 1971 thru 1986 with a gap of three years from 1980 to 1983.
Last updated: February 12, 2006
Alan Gurney was one of the hottest names in the business when he was commissioned by Southern California’s Islander Yachts to draw a new 36-footer. The Islander 36 is emblematic of an era when boatbuilding thrived in California, and also represents one of the earliest and best dual-purpose “racer/cruisers.”
