Considering purchase of a 36 sportfish

[leprechaun]

I am considering purchasing a 1970's vintage 36. I have several in mind. Any specifics regarding inherent problems, etc. would be a big help. Also, how do these handle at a 25 naut. cruise. 8)

[GCombos]

These boat's have gotten very popular over the last few years. Spend some time searching through the archives of this site, there's no shortage of 411. Lot's of informative reading...

In short: great boats, but I'm 'rather' biased.
GC

[jim rosenthal]

...well, pretty nice. At that speed, the 36C tends to run rather flat, with a running angle of only a few degrees, if any. If the boat is weighted right, you will not need any tabs at that speed. Rudder response is quick, to say the least- the rudders on these boats were sized, I think for slower speeds and less water flow....
The 36C in particular has gotten very popular due to its' good looks, nice layout, easy handling and quality build. I have no data for this, but I think they built about 200 of them and I suspect that fully 20% of those or more have been repowered with modern diesels. They are a sweet little boat.

[Banshee36]

I have a vintage 36C. At 25kts it is great any faster and she gets down right scary. They tend to keel walk, however it is nice to blow other boats away at 33kts.
Just remember they were never designed to go that fast.
The actual sweet spot for my boat with 330 b cummins is around 2400 rpm and speed about 25kts in the ocean and about 27kts in the bay.
Good luck, there are a few nice ones around. There is a beautiful 34 in OC,md, that is for sale, I think she spent some time in the Merrit boat yard due to all the custom work done to her.
JW

[Mike36c]

JW, I have an early model 36 with 330b's but she won't run that fast. What tranny's and running gear do you have? If she survives hurricane #2 I would love to tweak her. Thanks, Mike

[rtrafford]

enough already with these hurricanes! i need to get work done and splash this baby!

[Banshee36]

Mike,
I have twin Disc 1:5:1 gears, The 5050a model. After screwing around with the props, I ended up with a 22x22.5 3 bladed nibrals(Austral). I have another spare set that still need to be tweaked, they are canadians but cannot get 2850 rpms. I think 22x22 will get those right.
Good luck. Also My rig only carries about 250 fuel and 70 gals of water and whole bunchcharter fishing gear.
Hope this helps ,
Thanks,
JW