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Morgan 36 5
Designer: Nelson/Marek  ·  Builder: Morgan Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1985
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About the Morgan 36 5

Morgan Yachts produced this 36-foot sailing vessel as part of their extensive line of cruising sailboats that gained popularity among American sailors during the brand's heyday. Built with the practical cruising sailor in mind, this model reflects Morgan's philosophy of creating affordable, seaworthy boats suitable for coastal and offshore adventures. Like other Morgan designs from this era, the 36-5 likely features a traditional fin keel configuration and moderate beam that strikes a balance between stability and performance. Morgan boats were known for their solid fiberglass construction and spacious interiors that maximized comfort for extended cruising. The cockpit design typically emphasized safety and ease of handling, making these boats appealing to couples and small families. This model would be well-suited for coastal cruising, weekend sailing, and potentially longer offshore passages depending on the specific configuration and equipment. Morgan's reputation centered on building honest, dependable cruising boats rather than cutting-edge racers, so buyers could expect reasonable sailing performance with an emphasis on comfort and livability. The brand's focus on value engineering made their boats accessible to middle-class sailors seeking reliable cruising platforms without premium pricing.

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.
$8,000 – $8,000
typical asking price
Median $8,000  ·  1 listing used
All listings
$8,000 – $8,000 1
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) 36.00 ft / 10.97 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 29.41 ft / 8.96 m
Beam 11.83 ft / 3.61 m
Max Draft 6.67 ft / 2.03 m
Displacement 11,900.00 lb / 5,398 kg
Ballast 4,000.00 lb / 1,814 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Nelson/Marek
Builder Morgan Yachts (USA)
First Built 1985
Owner Reviews

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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
33.61
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
208.84
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. 7.46 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 18.98
J (Foretriangle Base) 14.33 ft / 4.37 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 616.00 ft² / 57.23 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 208.84
How It Compares

vs. Bayfield 36, Catalina 36 Mkii, Sabre 36

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Morgan 36 5 ★
36.0 ft
Bayfield 36
36.0 ft
Catalina 36 Mkii
36.3 ft
Sabre 36
36.0 ft
LWL
Morgan 36 5 ★
29.4 ft
Bayfield 36
30.5 ft
Catalina 36 Mkii
31.0 ft
Sabre 36
29.3 ft
Beam
Morgan 36 5 ★
11.8 ft
Bayfield 36
12.0 ft
Catalina 36 Mkii
12.0 ft
Sabre 36
11.3 ft
Displacement
Morgan 36 5 ★
11 lbs
Bayfield 36
18 lbs
Catalina 36 Mkii
14 lbs
Sabre 36
13 lbs
Ballast
Morgan 36 5 ★
4 lbs
Bayfield 36
6 lbs
Catalina 36 Mkii
6 lbs
Sabre 36
5 lbs
Sail Area
Morgan 36 5 ★
Bayfield 36
738 sq ft
Catalina 36 Mkii
625 sq ft
Sabre 36
610 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Morgan 36 5 ★
Bayfield 36
192 s/nm
Catalina 36 Mkii
144 s/nm
Sabre 36
144 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Morgan 36 5 ★
Bayfield 36
16.9
Catalina 36 Mkii
16.5
Sabre 36
17.5
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Morgan 36 5 ★
33.6 %
Bayfield 36
35.1 %
Catalina 36 Mkii
40.3 %
Sabre 36
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Morgan 36 5 ★
Bayfield 36
32.5
Catalina 36 Mkii
25.6
Sabre 36
25.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Morgan 36 5 ★
Bayfield 36
1.82
Catalina 36 Mkii
1.95
Sabre 36
1.91
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Morgan 36 5 ★
208
Bayfield 36
291
Catalina 36 Mkii
223
Sabre 36
Hull Speed
Morgan 36 5 ★
Bayfield 36
7.4 kts
Catalina 36 Mkii
7.5 kts
Sabre 36
7.3 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Morgan 36 5 ★
Bayfield 36
1.9
Catalina 36 Mkii
Sabre 36
2.4
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