1981 Yamaha 36 Boat in Huron, OH 44839 US

Capable, Well-Built Performance Cruiser

The Yamaha 36 is a well-regarded Japanese-built sailboat that combines practical accommodations and pleasing sailing performance. While less familiar than some of Yamaha's other watersports products, these boats are known for their solid construction, quality workmanship, and thoughtful systems design. In the Yamaha 36, you get a moderate displacement cruiser with an efficient hull form, well-balanced rig, and impressive sailing qualities. The boat is relatively stiff and has a sail area to displacement ratio that yields very good performance.

Grace is a 1981 model that has been well cared for and which has spent considerable time in the Great Lakes. Below the waterline, Grace features a thick, hand-laid solid fiberglass hull with partial skeg-hung rudder; excellent design ideas for directional stability and protection. The fin keel is bolted on and provides 5,600 pounds of ballast. Long known for incredible attention to detail spanning across multiple manufacturing segments, Yamaha's fiberglass and joinery work were far better than their rivals in the sailboat market. This is evident once you board Grace--her strength belies her age!

Once aboard you will notice a clean deck, recently refinished with Quantum 99, newer running rigging, and lots of cockpit storage. Her compact cockpit provides a safe place to operate the boat and trim sails, while a high bridgedeck and cockpit traveler improve interior volume and enhance mainsail performance respectively. A folding bimini offers sun protection and is color-matched to the newer mainsail cover.

Moving below, it is easy to see that the designers intent was for an offshore-oriented yacht. Covered in light teak, the cabin features a lot of central space, with settees to port and starboard, a fold-down table with expanding leaves that stows on the forward bulkhead, and a pilot berth above the port side settee. Plenty of storage is accessible through the seatbacks. To port, a proper navigation station and chart table feels correctly placed and appropriately sized, and an L-shaped galley at the bottom of the companionway steps includes a front-loading refrigerator/freezer, microwave, additional icebox, and double-bowl stainless steel sink. Lexan-faced storage cabinets provide enclosed storage, and a pass-through to the aft cabin is behind the sink.

Behind the navigation station, an oval door leads to the aft cabin where you are greeted to a compact dressing area with vanity and hot/cold water. Moving aft, a private double berth awaits. Forward of the main salon, a head and shower are to port, while a hanging locker and mechanical space are to starboard. A traditional V-berth with filler cushion and teak ceilings adds comfort and warmth.

Grace represents an excellent opportunity for the sailor looking for an affordable cruiser that offers classic lines, a robust build, and pleasing sailing performance.