Back to Search
Islander 37 Ms
Designer: Bruce King  ·  Builder: Islander Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1974
+ Add to Compare
Videos
About the Islander 37 Ms

Bruce King's design for the Islander 37 Ms represents a well-balanced approach to coastal cruising and club racing from the mid-1970s sailing era. Built by Islander Yachts starting in 1974, this fiberglass cruiser-racer features a modern fin keel and spade rudder configuration that delivers responsive handling and respectable performance under sail. The cutter rig provides versatility for varying wind conditions, allowing sailors to balance power and control effectively. With a displacement of 14,900 pounds and 5,000 pounds of ballast, the boat offers good stability while maintaining reasonable performance characteristics. The hull speed of 7.24 knots and sail area to displacement ratio of 15.78 suggest a yacht that can move well in moderate conditions without being overly tender. The comfort ratio of 30.75 indicates a boat suited for extended coastal cruising rather than racing, while the capsize screening formula of 1.76 suggests reasonable seaworthiness for offshore passages in suitable weather windows. The Islander 37 Ms appeals to sailors seeking a capable coastal cruiser with occasional racing potential, offering the reliability and build quality that made Islander Yachts a respected name during the 1970s production boat boom.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 36.50 ft / 11.13 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 29.16 ft / 8.89 m
Beam 10.83 ft / 3.30 m
Max Draft 5.92 ft / 1.80 m
Displacement 14,900.00 lb / 6,759 kg
Ballast 5,000.00 lb / 2,268 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 595.00 ft² / 55.28 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Bruce King
Builder Islander Yachts (USA)
First Built 1974
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Known Issues & What to Watch For

No known issues documented for this model yet.

Own or have surveyed a Islander 37 Ms? Submit a known issue

Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 192
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
 15.78
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
 33.56
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
 268.27
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
 30.75
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
 1.76
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. 7.24 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
 1.9
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. 1,128.40 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. 15.77
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 43.00 ft / 13.11 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 14.50 ft / 4.42 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 36.50 ft / 11.13 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 15.50 ft / 4.72 m
SA Fore 311.75 ft² / 28.96 m²
SA Main 282.88 ft² / 26.28 m²
SA Total (100%) 594.63 ft² / 55.24 m²
Est. Forestay Length 45.38 ft / 13.83 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Type Diesel
Fuel Capacity 80 gals / 303 L
Water Capacity 200 gals / 757 L
Find a Islander 37 Ms For Sale
Y YachtWorld Brokerage listings S Sailboat Listings Sailboats only C Craigslist National search F Facebook Marketplace Local listings B boats.com Global marketplace