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Great Lakes 36
Designer: Mark Ellis/Rob Maza  ·  First built: 1986
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About the Great Lakes 36

Built for the challenging conditions of North America's inland seas, this 36-foot sailboat represents a purpose-driven approach to yacht design. The Great Lakes 36 emerged from a sailing environment where sudden weather changes, steep seas, and variable conditions demand robust construction and reliable handling characteristics. With her substantial build quality and conservative design philosophy, this vessel appeals primarily to serious cruising sailors who prioritize seaworthiness over pure performance. The boat's reputation centers on her ability to handle heavy weather with confidence, making her particularly well-suited for coastal cruising and extended passages where comfort and safety take precedence. The design emphasizes practical sailing features that enhance crew confidence in challenging conditions. Her hull form and keel configuration provide stable, predictable handling characteristics that experienced sailors appreciate during long passages or when navigating the notoriously unpredictable weather patterns of the Great Lakes region. While not designed as a pure racing machine, the Great Lakes 36 offers respectable performance under sail while maintaining the structural integrity and accommodation space that weekend cruisers and liveaboards value. This balance makes her an attractive option for sailors seeking a capable, no-nonsense cruising platform.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 37.50 ft / 11.43 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 28.75 ft / 8.76 m
Beam 12.16 ft / 3.71 m
Max Draft 6.50 ft / 1.98 m
Displacement 12,800.00 lb / 5,806 kg
Ballast 5,400.00 lb / 2,449 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FGw/balsa cored hull & deck
Designer Mark Ellis/Rob Maza
First Built 1986
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Performance Ratios
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
42.19
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
240.46
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 7.49 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 21.01
P (Mainsail Luff) 716.00 ft² / 66.52 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Diesel
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