1981 J Boats J/36

A real performance racer/cruiser at a great price!


The J/36 was originally conceived and designed to compete without regards to any handicap rule that was popular in the 1970's and 1980's. It's primary goal was to have a fast, fun, enjoyable boat to sail that the family could enjoy.

Since then the J/36 has enjoyed success racing under the PHRF handicap system and the Caribbean Rating system. Today, J/36 rates quite favorably under PHRF (83 average) and IRC due to "old age allowances". Several owners have also converted their J/36s for cruising.

While the design concept of the J/36 is similar to J/Boats other successful "speedboats" (like the J/35) with low freeboard, wide decks for effective hiking, a high aspect fractional rig, low wetted surface, long effective sailing length for the rating, the shape is not precisely a scaled up version of either the J/24 or J/30.

Deck- Deck layout for the boat is simple yet efficient with a small cabin house and a large multi-level racing cockpit with mainsheet traveler that separates the helmsman from the crew. Steering is by tiller attached to a balanced rudder supported by Harken roller bearings.

Interior- The layout of the interior is functional with a V-berth, walk-thru head forward, proper settee berths in the main salon aft of a centralized galley. The 18hp diesel engine is located in the center of the boat, functioning as the main cabin table, too. There are quarterberths to both port and starboard. Pipe berths were offered above each of the main settee berths to accommodate crew for offshore distance races.

Rig- The J/36 has a double spreader fractional aluminum rig with a high aspect mainsail and overlapping headsails. Running rigging is Navtec rod with open body Navtec turnbuckles.
Engine is a Yanmar 3GM30 (Not sure of hours, but it was inspected by a Yanmar certified mechanic in 2022)Navigation System : Raymarine Axiom 9 mfd
Raymarine ST 4000 Autopilot
Optima Blue Top Marine Dual Purpose Batteries (2022, 2024)
Rig pulled and professionally inspected 2022
New ICOM VHF radio
New LED lights and fans
Forespar Dinghy Davits
Eno 3 burner gas stove (installed in 2022)
New LP system - now fits standard 20 lb propane tank
New solenoid and SS braided LP hose
New Whale foot pump in galley (new in 2024)
New stainless sink and faucet in Galley
Airhead Composting Toilet with vestas mushroom style deck vent
Upgraded deck layout for single handed/dual handed sailing
Harken Deck Organizers
Spinlock Clutches
Lewmar self tailing primary wenches
Lewmar Windlass
35 lb. CQR Anchor
Roller Furler for Jib
Kevlar Sails - Main in good condition / Jib in Excellent condition
20 Gal Aluminum Diesel Fuel Tank
30 Gal Plastic Water Tank
Deck is solid with no soft spots

West Marine RIB 310 Single Floor Rigid PVC Inflatable Dinghy
Mercury 8HP 4 stroke outboard with manual and electric start