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Sceptre 36
Designer: Hein Driehuyzen  ·  Builder: Sceptre Yachts Ltd. (Can)  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Sceptre 36

Hailing from the Canadian boatbuilding tradition, the Sceptre 36 is a fiberglass production cruiser that earned a loyal following among sailors seeking a capable and comfortable coastal and offshore passage maker. Built by Hinterhoeller Yachts in Ontario, the same yard responsible for the well-regarded Niagara line, the Sceptre 36 carries a reputation for solid construction and practical cruising ability that has helped it hold its value in the used boat market. Designed with blue-water ambitions in mind, the Sceptre 36 offers a balanced hull form that prioritizes seakeeping and stability over outright speed, making it a sensible choice for couples or small crews planning extended coastal voyages or offshore passages. The interior layout reflects the cruising priorities of its era, with an emphasis on livability and stowage rather than racing-oriented spartan simplicity. For buyers researching this model, the Sceptre 36 represents a pragmatic and trustworthy platform with a strong community of owners, making parts sourcing and shared knowledge relatively accessible. A thorough survey is always recommended, but well-maintained examples continue to impress as genuine bluewater-capable cruising sailboats.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 35.50 ft / 10.82 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 29.08 ft / 8.86 m
Beam 11.42 ft / 3.48 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement 12,000.00 lb / 5,443 kg
Ballast 5,500.00 lb / 2,495 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Hein Driehuyzen
Builder Sceptre Yachts Ltd. (CAN)
First Built 1978
Last Built 1984
Number Built 36
Owner Reviews

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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
135
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
45.83
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
217.85
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. 7.12 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 18.26
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 596.00 ft² / 55.37 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 217.85
How It Compares

vs. Bristol 355, Hughes 35, Mirage 35

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Sceptre 36 ★
35.5 ft
Bristol 355
35.5 ft
Hughes 35
35.5 ft
Mirage 35
35.5 ft
LWL
Sceptre 36 ★
29.1 ft
Bristol 355
27.5 ft
Hughes 35
26.0 ft
Mirage 35
26.8 ft
Beam
Sceptre 36 ★
11.4 ft
Bristol 355
10.8 ft
Hughes 35
10.3 ft
Mirage 35
11.7 ft
Displacement
Sceptre 36 ★
12 lbs
Bristol 355
15 lbs
Hughes 35
12 lbs
Mirage 35
10 lbs
Ballast
Sceptre 36 ★
5 lbs
Bristol 355
6 lbs
Hughes 35
5 lbs
Mirage 35
3 lbs
Sail Area
Sceptre 36 ★
Bristol 355
602 sq ft
Hughes 35
504 sq ft
Mirage 35
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Sceptre 36 ★
135 s/nm
Bristol 355
Hughes 35
149 s/nm
Mirage 35
147 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Sceptre 36 ★
Bristol 355
15.9
Hughes 35
15.4
Mirage 35
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Sceptre 36 ★
45.8 %
Bristol 355
Hughes 35
45.0 %
Mirage 35
35.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Sceptre 36 ★
Bristol 355
32.5
Hughes 35
28.7
Mirage 35
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Sceptre 36 ★
Bristol 355
1.76
Hughes 35
1.81
Mirage 35
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Sceptre 36 ★
217
Bristol 355
Hughes 35
304
Mirage 35
233
Hull Speed
Sceptre 36 ★
Bristol 355
7.0 kts
Hughes 35
6.8 kts
Mirage 35
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Sceptre 36 ★
Bristol 355
1.5
Hughes 35
1.6
Mirage 35
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