Hans Christian 36
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About the Hans Christian 36
Designed by renowned naval architect Robert Perry and built by Taiwan's Union Ship Co. starting in 1974, this classic cruising yacht represents the golden era of serious bluewater sailing boats. Perry's design philosophy shines through in the boat's traditional long keel configuration, which provides exceptional directional stability and seakindly motion in offshore conditions. The cutter rig configuration offers versatility for various sailing conditions, allowing crews to balance sail combinations effectively in both light air and heavy weather. With a substantial displacement of 22,000 pounds and ballast ratio supporting the long keel design, this yacht exhibits the steady, predictable sailing characteristics that made Hans Christian boats highly regarded among serious cruisers. The impressive comfort ratio of 36.83 indicates exceptional seaworthiness and motion comfort, making extended passages more pleasant for crew. The conservative capsize screening formula of 1.67 further reinforces this boat's suitability for offshore work. Built during an era when Taiwanese yards were producing some of the world's finest fiberglass cruising yachts, this model exemplifies the robust construction and attention to detail that Hans Christian boats were known for. This is fundamentally a passage-maker designed for couples or small crews seeking a capable, traditional cruising platform for coastal and offshore adventures.
Market Price Estimate
Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$24,500 – $24,500
typical asking price
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
- Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
- Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
- Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
- Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
- Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
- Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall)
42.00 ft / 12.80 m
LWL (Waterline Length)
32.00 ft / 9.75 m
Beam
11.67 ft / 3.56 m
Max Draft
6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement
22,000.00 lb / 9,979 kg
Ballast
7,200.00 lb / 3,266 kg
Ballast Type
Iron
Sail Area (Reported)
826.00 ft² / 76.74 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type
Long Keel
Rigging Type
Cutter
Construction
FG
Designer
Robert Perry
Builder
Union Ship Co. (TAIWAN)
First Built
1974
Associations
Hans Christian Owners Association
Related Sailboats
Passport 42 · Valiant 42 · Whitby 42 · Rustler 42 · Gozzard 37
Owner Reviews
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Known Issues & What to Watch For
The teak decks on Hans Christian 36s are laid over a fiberglass substrate with numerous fasteners and bedding compounds that deteriorate over time. Water intrusion through dried-out caulking seams leads to delamination of the deck core and rot in any wooden backing blocks beneath deck hardware.
The hull-to-deck joint on Union-built Hans Christian boats was sometimes inadequately bonded and relies heavily on through-bolting with a rubrail covering. This joint should be carefully inspected for separation, cracking, and water intrusion, particularly at the bow and stern.
The bulwarks and caprail assembly use extensive teak over fiberglass framing. The teak-to-fiberglass interface traps moisture, and the underlying fiberglass bulwark structure is prone to delamination that is often hidden beneath the wood trim.
The full keel is encapsulated with lead ballast set in the fiberglass shell, but early Taiwanese production had inconsistent layup quality in the keel-to-hull radius. Inspect this area carefully for stress cracking and delamination which can indicate flexing at the keel root.
1974–1982 models
The bowsprit and its associated bobstay and bowsprit shroud chainplates were through-bolted into the bow with backing plates that corrode and loosen. The bowsprit assembly should be removed and all fasteners and backing hardware inspected for integrity.
Chainplate backing plates on early boats were often undersized by modern standards and were embedded in the fiberglass liner or glassed over, making inspection difficult. Stress cracks radiating from chainplate locations on the interior liner are a known warning sign.
pre-1985 models
The ports and hatches installed at the factory were often bronze framed but bedded with compounds that have long since hardened and cracked. Leaking portlights and associated water damage to interior joinery and cabin sole framing is extremely common on surviving examples.
Interior joinery is heavily built from teak and teak-faced plywood, which is prone to swelling, delamination, and mold if the boat has been kept in a wet climate or has suffered chronic leaks from deck or port hardware. Check behind panels and under berths for soft or discolored plywood.
Original Taiwanese-built wiring used undersized conductors and non-tinned copper in a marine environment. Most boats of this age will have brittle insulation and corroded connections throughout; a full rewire is commonly required and should be factored into any purchase.
pre-1985 models
Early Hans Christian 36s were fitted with a variety of engines including the Perkins 4-108 and smaller Westerbeke units. The engine beds in these boats are sometimes soft or show signs of delamination from years of vibration and bilge water exposure; inspect engine mounts and surrounding glasswork carefully.
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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement
Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
16.9
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
32.73
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
299.73
Comfort Ratio
Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
36.83
Capsize Screening Formula
The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
1.67
Hull Speed
Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions.
7.58 kn
S# (Speed Number)
The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
1.74
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.
1,334.34 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc)
Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure.
16.9
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height)
47.00 ft / 14.33 m
J (Foretriangle Base)
20.30 ft / 6.19 m
P (Mainsail Luff)
42.30 ft / 12.89 m
E (Mainsail Foot)
16.50 ft / 5.03 m
SA Fore
477.05 ft² / 44.32 m²
SA Main
348.98 ft² / 32.42 m²
SA Total (100%)
826.03 ft² / 76.74 m²
Est. Forestay Length
51.20 ft / 15.61 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make
Perkins
Engine Type
Diesel
Fuel Capacity
50 gals / 189 L
Water Capacity
115 gals / 435 L
How It Compares
vs. Gozzard 37, Passport 42, Rustler 42, Valiant 42, Whitby 42
This boat
Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Hans Christian 36 ★
Gozzard 37
Passport 42
Rustler 42
Valiant 42
Whitby 42
LWL
Hans Christian 36 ★
Gozzard 37
Passport 42
Rustler 42
Valiant 42
Whitby 42
Beam
Hans Christian 36 ★
Gozzard 37
Passport 42
Rustler 42
Valiant 42
Whitby 42
Displacement
Hans Christian 36 ★
Gozzard 37
Passport 42
Rustler 42
Valiant 42
Whitby 42
Ballast
Hans Christian 36 ★
Gozzard 37
Passport 42
Rustler 42
Valiant 42
Whitby 42
Sail Area
Hans Christian 36 ★
Gozzard 37
Passport 42
Rustler 42
Valiant 42
Whitby 42
Performance
PHRF Rating
(lower = faster)
Hans Christian 36 ★
Gozzard 37
Passport 42
Rustler 42
Valiant 42
Whitby 42
SA / Displacement
(higher = more powerful)
Hans Christian 36 ★
Gozzard 37
Passport 42
Rustler 42
Valiant 42
Whitby 42
Ballast / Disp
(higher = stiffer)
Hans Christian 36 ★
Gozzard 37
Passport 42
Rustler 42
Valiant 42
Whitby 42
Comfort Ratio
(higher = more comfortable offshore)
Hans Christian 36 ★
Gozzard 37
Passport 42
Rustler 42
Valiant 42
Whitby 42
Capsize Screening
(lower = safer)
Hans Christian 36 ★
Gozzard 37
Passport 42
Rustler 42
Valiant 42
Whitby 42
Displacement / Length
(lower = lighter)
Hans Christian 36 ★
Gozzard 37
Passport 42
Rustler 42
Valiant 42
Whitby 42
Hull Speed
Hans Christian 36 ★
Gozzard 37
Passport 42
Rustler 42
Valiant 42
Whitby 42
Speed Number
(higher = faster)
Hans Christian 36 ★
Gozzard 37
Passport 42
Rustler 42
Valiant 42
Whitby 42
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