Back to Search

J36 Classic

Designer: Rodney S. Johnstone  ·  Builder: J Boats Tillotson Pearson  ·  First built: 1981
+ Add to Compare
About the J36 Classic

With limited documentation available, the J36 Classic represents an intriguing entry in the sailboat market that warrants careful consideration by prospective buyers. This vessel appears to bridge the gap between performance-oriented sailing and comfortable cruising, though detailed specifications remain scarce in public records. Based on its designation and naming convention, this sailboat likely draws inspiration from racing pedigree while incorporating features that enhance cruising comfort. The "Classic" moniker suggests traditional sailing characteristics combined with proven design elements that have stood the test of time. Sailors researching this model should expect a boat suited for coastal cruising and potentially light offshore work, depending on construction quality and design execution. The limited availability of specifications may indicate either a boutique production run or a model that didn't achieve widespread market penetration. Prospective owners would benefit from conducting thorough inspections and seeking out existing owners for firsthand experiences. The scarcity of documented information makes professional survey and sea trial particularly important when evaluating any example of this model. Those drawn to less common designs may find the J36 Classic offers unique sailing characteristics not found in more mainstream production boats.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 35.95 ft / 10.96 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.50 ft / 9.30 m
Beam 11.76 ft / 3.58 m
Max Draft 6.60 ft / 2.01 m
Displacement 10,570.00 lb / 4,794 kg
Ballast 4,600.00 lb / 2,087 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 662.00 ft² / 61.50 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Rodney S. Johnstone
Builder J Boats Tillotson Pearson
First Built 1981
Last Built 1984
Related Sailboats C&C 36 · S2 110 C · Frers 36 · Sigma 362 · Cs 36 Merlin
Owner Reviews

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

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
 22.07
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
 19.08
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
 2.15
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. 7.4
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
 3.78
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. 1.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 44.21
J (Foretriangle Base) 14.0
P (Mainsail Luff) 47.0
E (Mainsail Foot) 15.0
SA Fore 309.47
SA Main 352.5
How It Compares

vs. C&C 36, Cs 36 Merlin, Frers 36, S2 110 C, Sigma 362

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
J36 Classic ★
36.0 ft
C&C 36
36.0 ft
Cs 36 Merlin
36.0 ft
Frers 36
36.0 ft
S2 110 C
36.0 ft
Sigma 362
36.0 ft
LWL
J36 Classic ★
30.5 ft
C&C 36
—
Cs 36 Merlin
29.2 ft
Frers 36
29.5 ft
S2 110 C
28.3 ft
Sigma 362
28.0 ft
Beam
J36 Classic ★
11.8 ft
C&C 36
—
Cs 36 Merlin
11.5 ft
Frers 36
12.0 ft
S2 110 C
11.9 ft
Sigma 362
11.5 ft
Displacement
J36 Classic ★
10 lbs
C&C 36
—
Cs 36 Merlin
13 lbs
Frers 36
10 lbs
S2 110 C
16 lbs
Sigma 362
12 lbs
Ballast
J36 Classic ★
4 lbs
C&C 36
—
Cs 36 Merlin
5 lbs
Frers 36
5 lbs
S2 110 C
6 lbs
Sigma 362
5 lbs
Sail Area
J36 Classic ★
662 sq ft
C&C 36
—
Cs 36 Merlin
608 sq ft
Frers 36
—
S2 110 C
625 sq ft
Sigma 362
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
J36 Classic ★
—
C&C 36
132 s/nm
Cs 36 Merlin
126 s/nm
Frers 36
93 s/nm
S2 110 C
—
Sigma 362
—
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
J36 Classic ★
22.1
C&C 36
—
Cs 36 Merlin
17.7
Frers 36
—
S2 110 C
15.8
Sigma 362
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
J36 Classic ★
—
C&C 36
—
Cs 36 Merlin
43.0 %
Frers 36
49.5 %
S2 110 C
—
Sigma 362
41.6 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
J36 Classic ★
19.1
C&C 36
—
Cs 36 Merlin
24.9
Frers 36
—
S2 110 C
29.8
Sigma 362
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
J36 Classic ★
2.15
C&C 36
—
Cs 36 Merlin
1.96
Frers 36
—
S2 110 C
1.90
Sigma 362
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
J36 Classic ★
—
C&C 36
—
Cs 36 Merlin
233
Frers 36
189
S2 110 C
—
Sigma 362
252
Hull Speed
J36 Classic ★
7.4 kts
C&C 36
—
Cs 36 Merlin
7.2 kts
Frers 36
—
S2 110 C
7.1 kts
Sigma 362
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
J36 Classic ★
3.8
C&C 36
—
Cs 36 Merlin
2.4
Frers 36
—
S2 110 C
1.5
Sigma 362
—
Find a J36 Classic 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