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Nautilus 36
Designer: Henry Adriaanse  ·  Builder: Niagara Nautic Inc./Aztec Yachts  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Nautilus 36

A capable and seaworthy cruising sailboat, the Nautilus 36 sits in a class of mid-size bluewater-oriented vessels well suited to coastal passages and offshore adventures alike. Designed with the serious cruising sailor in mind, this 36-foot platform offers enough space and stability to handle extended voyages while remaining manageable for short-handed sailing. Without a wealth of published specifications widely circulating, the Nautilus 36 occupies something of a niche space in the sailing world, appealing to buyers who discover it through firsthand experience or word of mouth rather than glossy marketing campaigns. This relative obscurity can work in a buyer's favor, as well-maintained examples may offer strong value compared to more heavily marketed contemporaries of similar size and purpose. Prospective buyers would be well advised to commission a thorough survey, paying close attention to the construction quality, rigging condition, and interior layout, as these details can vary between builds. For sailors seeking a solid, no-nonsense cruising platform capable of tackling coastal waters and beyond, the Nautilus 36 deserves a closer look.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 36.75 ft / 11.20 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
Beam 11.50 ft / 3.51 m
Max Draft 6.33 ft / 1.93 m
Displacement 14,500.00 lb / 6,577 kg
Ballast 6,500.00 lb / 2,948 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 636.00 ft² / 59.09 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Henry Adriaanse
Builder Niagara Nautic Inc./Aztec Yachts
First Built 1978
Related Sailboats ["Catalina 37" · "Pearson 37" · "Irwin 37 3" · "Ct 37" · "Union 36"]
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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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
 165
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
 17.18
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
 28.29
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
 1.89
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. 7.09
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
 1.8
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) 46.5
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.0
P (Mainsail Luff) 40.5
E (Mainsail Foot) 14.2
SA Fore 348.75
SA Main 287.55
How It Compares

vs. Ct 37, Irwin 37 3, Pearson 37

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Nautilus 36 ★
36.8 ft
Ct 37
36.7 ft
Irwin 37 3
37.0 ft
Pearson 37
36.9 ft
LWL
Nautilus 36 ★
28.0 ft
Ct 37
31.8 ft
Irwin 37 3
30.0 ft
Pearson 37
30.1 ft
Beam
Nautilus 36 ★
11.5 ft
Ct 37
11.5 ft
Irwin 37 3
11.5 ft
Pearson 37
11.8 ft
Displacement
Nautilus 36 ★
14 lbs
Ct 37
23 lbs
Irwin 37 3
20 lbs
Pearson 37
12 lbs
Ballast
Nautilus 36 ★
6 lbs
Ct 37
7 lbs
Irwin 37 3
7 lbs
Pearson 37
5 lbs
Sail Area
Nautilus 36 ★
636 sq ft
Ct 37
832 sq ft
Irwin 37 3
630 sq ft
Pearson 37
640 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Nautilus 36 ★
165 s/nm
Ct 37
192 s/nm
Irwin 37 3
—
Pearson 37
102 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Nautilus 36 ★
17.2
Ct 37
16.1
Irwin 37 3
13.7
Pearson 37
19.1
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Nautilus 36 ★
28.3
Ct 37
42.9
Irwin 37 3
37.2
Pearson 37
22.4
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Nautilus 36 ★
1.89
Ct 37
1.60
Irwin 37 3
1.70
Pearson 37
2.04
Hull Speed
Nautilus 36 ★
7.1 kts
Ct 37
7.6 kts
Irwin 37 3
7.3 kts
Pearson 37
7.4 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Nautilus 36 ★
1.8
Ct 37
1.5
Irwin 37 3
1.3
Pearson 37
2.9
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