islander freeport 36 sailboat review

Little Cunning Plan

A plan so cunning you could stick a tail on it and call it a weasel.

1978 Islander Freeport 36, S/V Seaclusion

S/V Seaclusion, at her mooring in Olympia.

Some boats impress me with their saucy looks, some with their accommodating interiors, but rarely do I see a boat that combines the two. This Islander Freeport reminded me of my mother-in-law. She is such a rare combination of beauty, elegance, charm and utility that it’s hard to imagine who might have come up with such a design. Surely this boat could not be the work of only one designer? And if so, who could it possibly be?

If you guessed ‘Bob Perry’, you would be correct. I do not even pretend to know exactly what makes a Perry design scream his name. Sometimes it might start with one of those graceful canoe sterns, but that’s no guarantee. When I entered the salon on this boat I thought “how Perry-esque’ this feels”. Then I began the research for this article and, ‘Bingo!’. You see, I am learning here! I started looking at and writing about boats in order to learn about them, so it must be working. Hey, it worked in college…. why mess with a good system?

Lovely salon, perfect for gatherings and relaxing.

This Islander Freeport 36 was built by Islander Yachts in 1978, a great vintage year if there ever was one. This is the decade that saw production of so many great old boats, like our Cal 34, and was before all these good builders started going out of business in the early 80’s. One hopes that might mean it’s before they started cutting corners, trying to save money on the boats going out to sea. By the way, be sure you do not confuse this boat with the other Islander 36, which is completely different.

This absolutely makes the salon an inviting place for lounging, dining, and visiting and allows for plenty of natural daylight. If you are a tall person, you probably will not bump your head or have to stoop. Backs will be saved.  As long as it doesn’t make the lines of the boat look clunky, then I like a salon with plenty of head room.  More charm is added when you consider the dotted swiss curtains and matching pull-down window shades. I have not seen any like this on another vessel, and they are pretty much perfect from a decor/function standpoint. These blinds and curtains are to boat decor what ‘comfort heels’ are to high heeled shoes. Kudos to whoever chose those. The port lights do not open, so you’ll want to have the companionway doors and the forward hatch open on a warm day.

Engine access is through the sole in the salon, and I found the panels easy to remove. Engine access was very good. Mike would have been pleased.

Another nice convenience is the use of small, folding tables that easily and quickly stow out of the way when not needed. The galley has two of these on the end of the counter top and it’s just a great idea! Who doesn’t always need just that much more counter space to put supplies when cooking? Add a pull-out cutting board and you are set!

Although at home I like to say that I have a kitchen only because it came with the house, on a boat I do love a nice galley that makes preparing meals less of a chore. Even the yellow counter tops are attractive, offering a nice warm glow in the sunlight. Using colors like yellow in the interior of a boat makes the boat feel more open and adds light rather than the shadow of dark wood. There is a built-in place for a small trash bag to the left of the sink, and there is built in storage for dishware.  I was glad to see this evidence of being on a boat because this salon was beginning to feel more like a tiny house than anything else.

Thoughtfully designed galley.

Where this boat has the most charm is in its layout. Although this entire interior is designed to appeal to the feminine in all of us, it’s the captain’s quarters that really take the cake. My mother-in-law would be so pleased with this cabin, which is really like a proper bedroom.

To starboard there are double cedar lined hanging lockers, one deeper than the other due to the hull shape. This deeper one is the woman’s hanging locker, of course, and if both people are women, they will have to flip a coin for it unless they really get along. You know this is the woman’s hanging locker because of the shoe holder still present, left by the current owner. I admire a fellow woman who does not want to leave all her shoes behind. Another nice touch by the current owner. A bureau with drawers stands between the hanging lockers.

Not just a small cabin, this is a proper ‘bedroom’.

Further examination of the interior of the lockers revealed that this boat’s hull is insulated! This is a huge bonus that I should not fail to mention while I am distracted by beauty. Many fiberglass boats of this period were not insulated, much to the owner’s dismay during the cold winter months. Insulating after the interior is in place is just a pain in the hind end so believe me when I say it’s good that this is already done.There is nothing beautiful about condensation dripping down the interior of a boat hull. Take my word for it.

I know I tend to get distracted by the visuals in a nicely designed interior, but moving to the exterior, this boat does not disappoint. It’s been set up to do long distance cruising, as is evident by the complete wind vane that I found on the bed below. There are 4 lazarettes with storage, one of which is a nicely done propane locker.

Propane locker

On top of the dodger, which needs new canvas, is a large solar charger. One of the nicest ideas I’ve seen is a fold down swim step on the stern which doubles as a place for the helmsman to steer. Winches are double speed and self-tailing.

The seat area of the stern fold down for easy access to your dinghy.

More evidence that this boat was set up for serious cruising is the new Lewmar Anchor windlass with remote. It also has an autohelm that was new in 2011, a water maker, and a life raft. If all of these extras work, this adds quite a bit of value to the boat for the sailor who wants to sail long distances. There looks to be a full electronics package with this boat. I’m beginning to wish this boat had a second cabin, since that’s one of my requirements for our next boat. If it had just a bit more space there would be a sold sign hanging on it.

With a design provenance like Perry, you know this is a sweet sailing boat. This is a lot of boat in a 37.5 foot package and it’s no wonder that these are so popular. It’s evident that this boat has been loved, and that it has also been sailed. A good survey would point out what you’d need to do to bring this boat back to the excellent condition you’d want for serious cruising.  This boat would be just perfect for a couple and it’s a lot of boat with a lot of good gear for the money. If you’re looking, I hope she’s still there for you!

6 thoughts on “ 1978 Islander Freeport 36, S/V Seaclusion ”

That is am awful lot of boat in a tidy little package. I have been looking at Islanders of late so its ironic that you chose to do a write up on one.

It is a sweet boat. If only it had a second cabin.

I own at 77 Version of this boat, the HUGE bathroom, is really nice so TWO can shower together. Dry off and Get dressed without having to exit the bathroom.

That is a good point, Andrew. I know there are many folks who would consider this a bonus!

Andrew, I know this is an old post, but I am looking to buy a freeport 36b. Is yours for sale? text me at 2096175543. Scott

Oh Well, you didn’t reply. So, I bought a 38C and am now living on it. Getting her ready to sail to Belize. Fair winds, following seas and Freeports on the heel.

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• Sailboat Reviews

The Modern Classic Racer-Cruiser

40-year-old islander 36 proves to be a comfortable and fast ride..

The Islander 36 was built from 1971 to 1985, making it one of the longest-lived 36-footers ever on the U.S. market. More than 750 of the Alan Gurney-designed racer-cruiser sloops were built, with production spanning almost the entire history of Islander Yachts.

When it was first introduced, the Islander 36 seemed conservatively modern in appearance, with a flattish but concave sheerline, a fin keel, and a skeg-mounted rudder. The boat was designed as a racer-cruiser under the then-new International Offshore Rule (IOR) , but you would be hard-pressed to say that the same rule could create both the I36 and a modern IOR design. The Islander 36 was launched during the infancy of the IOR, before boat designers took advantage of the rules loopholes. As a result, its hull shape is undistorted and bears more resemblance to a modern fast cruiser than to a contemporary IOR racer.

While custom boats were the biggest force in racing in 1971, it was still possible to be competitive in local regattas with a production racer-cruiser. That all changed very quickly. Boats like the Islander 36-which were out-designed under the IOR but were still reasonably fast and easy to sail-served as the foundation for the movement that became the Model A of handicap racing: the Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF). And still today, I36s often take podium positions in PHRF races, particularly where I36 fleets are most popular, particularly in the San Francisco Bay area.

Even by todays standards, the hull proportions of the Islander 36 are nearly ideal for a modern racer-cruiser. The beam is moderate and carried well aft, offering fairly good hull volume aft, so that the boat does not squat excessively when cockpit lockers are loaded with cruising gear. Despite the age of the design, the I36 is not dated in appearance. You could even say that the boat is a modern classic.

The Islander 36 is predominantly a West Coast boat, but youll find them throughout the U.S. Most of the owners responding to our survey use the boat for daysailing, club racing, and coastal cruising.

Sailing Performance

Despite being designed as a racer-cruiser with an IOR Mk I rating of 27.9, the Islander 36 was not a particularly fast or successful IOR boat. However, under the PHRF rating system, a well-sailed Islander 36 is a reasonably competitive boat; many are still active in club racing, with the largest contingent in California, where conditions are a good match for the I36.

The Islander 36s rig is a simple, untapered aluminum spar stepped through the deck. It has two sets of spreaders and double lower shrouds. The shrouds are set well inboard, and genoa tracks are set just outboard of the cabin trunk to take advantage of the tight sheeting angles.

The Islander 36 is well-balanced under sail, although like many boats of its era with relatively small mainsails, you need a variety of headsails to keep the boat moving her best in all conditions. While this isn’t a problem on a crewed racing boat, todays fast cruisers tend to have slightly larger mainsails so that less-frequent headsail changes are required. The original I36 sailplan shows genoa overlaps as large as 180 percent; genoas that large are generally a nuisance to handle and tack.

Both deep and shoal draft keels were available on the Islander 36. Most boats have the deep keel, and this version of the boat is generally about six seconds per mile faster. The shoal-draft boat has an additional 150 pounds of ballast to compensate for the keels higher center of gravity.

The mainsheet traveler is positioned at the forward end of the companionway hatch. Late-model boats have a small molded breakwater aft of the traveler so that a companionway dodger can be installed. On boats without the breakwater, installing a dodger is trickier. Since the mainsheet is attached almost exactly to the middle of the boom, sheet loads are fairly high, and youll need a winch to trim the main in heavier air.

Original steering, mostly Edson brand, was the typical chain and sprocket with the steering cable led through sheaves to a quadrant clamped to the rudder post. The boat was designed with a tiller, but most owners have retrofitted wheel steering over the years. Since there are very few owner complaints about excessive weather helm, changing to wheel steering was more a matter of personal choice than necessity.

You will find slight differences in deck layouts, depending on whether the boat has been used predominantly for racing or cruising. On racing boats, the primary headsail-sheet winches are usually located on the forward portion of the cockpit coamings, with the secondaries aft. That position is often reversed on cruising boats. Likewise, racing boats may have most halyard and lift winches mounted at the base of the mast; cruisers use fewer winches, mounted on the mast itself. For shorthanded family cruising and daysailing-the type of sailing for which the boat is best suited-we would suggest larger-than-standard multi-speed self-tailing headsail sheet winches installed on the coaming, near the helmsman.

The I36s cockpit is very deep, which can make it challenging for some to see over the cabin when seated. Other cockpit features make it less than ideal for offshore work: cockpit drains are fairly small and there is no bridgedeck. To comply with the International Sailing Federations (ISAF) Offshore Special Regulations for offshore racing, the companionway dropboards would have to be fixed in place up to the level of the aft cockpit coaming, which would make it extremely difficult to get below.

Like most boats with a long production history, a variety of engines were used in the Islander 36-and most have been replaced over the years-making generalizations about performance under power difficult.

The I36 was first powered with an Atomic Four gasoline engine; that was followed by the undersized Palmer P-60 gas engine, the optional Perkins 4-108 diesel, and then the optional Westerbeke L-25 four-cylinder diesel. Islander even used a Volkswagen diesel engine, the Pathfinder 42 horsepower, in the 36 at one point, and by the end of the boats production run, a 30-horsepower Yanmar diesel was used. Most of these original auxillaries have since been replaced.

The most common replacement engines youll find in contemporary Islander 36s are Yanmars, usually in the 30- to 37-horsepower range. They are lighter, and with about a 2:1 reduction and a 13-inch three-blade, fixed prop, the I36 can approach 7 knots in flat water.

Given this wide variety of engines-some left-handed, some right-handed-and the mix of fixed, folding, and feathering props, Islanders will often pull from one side to another when backing up. With all but the smallest two-blade, folding props, skippers will need good seamanship skills for well-behaved backing into slips and docks. The knack is to get the boat moving astern with modest power, idle to keep speed under 2 knots, then use the large rudder and skeg to ease into a berth.

The Islander 36s interior finish is one of its best selling points. However, there are several interior-design shortcomings that are typical of boats of the early 1970s. Two of the biggest changes in boat interiors since then have been in navigation stations and galleys. The marine electronics boom had not begun in 1971. Loran C was new, and very expensive. Only hot race boats had wind instrumentation. Satnav was a far-off dream for recreational sailors, as were such things as personal computers and weather facsimile machines. For this reason, nav stations on cruising 36-footers in the early 1970s were rudimentary, when they existed at all.

The nav station of the Islander 36 is no exception. It is tucked away under the sidedeck, and the cabin sole in front of it slopes awkwardly upward. There are no drawers beneath the chart table, no good place for chart stowage. Theres no place to sit, and if you use the shelf above the table for electronics, theres no space for books. On late model I36s, there are drawers just forward of the chart table behind the port settee, but by modern standards, the boats nav station is nothing to brag about.

The shortfalls have given owners reason to use their sailorly ingenuity and a little creativity to come up with ways to add GPS, chartplotter, AIS, SSB, and radar instruments to the cozy nav station area. Youll find as many different solutions as there are I36s on the used boat market, and the I36 Owners Association website (www.islander36.org) offers some good examples.

The original I36 galley also is a relic from the days when a lot of people considered cruising in a sailboat just one step above camping out in a tent. The sloping cabin sole in the galley makes it difficult to work at the sink or reach the bottom of the icebox. There is relatively little counter space or storage space. There is no provision for galley ventilation except the main companionway, and without a dodger, the companionway cannot be left open in the rain because of the forward-sloping aft bulkhead.

A large number of Islanders were built with alcohol stoves, many of which have been replaced with propane or natural gas. Microwaves also have been added to current I36 galleys. Some I36s were produced with refrigeration systems, and many others have been added along the way. Pressure water systems are also common in todays Islander 36s, though not universal.

Aft of the nav station on the port side, there is a quarterberth tucked completely beneath the cockpit. The lack of ventilation in the quarterberth is a problem in warm climates, and its location is not one for the claustrophobic.

The main saloon itself is quite comfortable. The settees on either side are long enough to be comfortable berths. The starboard settee folds out into a double berth, but it is not the most convenient to set up or use. Above and behind each settee, there is a fair amount of storage space. Late model boats have lockers and drawers outboard of the port settee, while earlier boats have only a shelf. It would be fairly easy to build storage lockers in this area on an older boat, and many owners have.

Most boats of this size have fixed cabin tables, but the Islander 36s folds up against the bulkhead at the forward end of the main cabin. It is just possible to squeeze by the table along the starboard side when it is in use.

Ventilation is a weak point in the Islander 36, as it is with a lot of boats. Late model I36s have a ventilation hatch overhead in the middle of the main cabin; theres no reason you couldnt add one to an older boat. A hatch in the cabin trunk over the forward cabin provides fair-weather ventilation, but theres no provision for air?ow in bad weather. You can add cowl vents in dorade boxes, but the installation is tricky due to the vinyl headliner. The original foam and vinyl headliners had zippers to access the backs of fittings, but they tend to corrode shut. Many owners have opted to replace the headliners.

The head compartment is to port at the forward end of the main cabin, with lockers opposite on the starboard side. Headroom of over 6 feet is carried all the way forward. Drawers under the V-berth and a narrow hanging locker to starboard offer reasonable storage. A door at the aft end of the forward cabin can be secured in the open position to provide privacy for the forward cabin.

Conclusions

Unlike a lot of boats with long production histories, there are relatively few differences between the first and last Islander 36s. This means that youll likely be able to find a well-kept boat at a pretty good price. Most have seen systems upgrades and creative interior makeovers that make this modern classic a competitor for newer used production boats. The I36 also boasts a very active and large owners association, an invaluable resource for those buying-or thinking about buying-an older used boat. Since so many Islander 36s were built, theres a well-established used boat market, and you should not have trouble reselling one in the future, particularly if youre West Coast based.

Because of the cockpit design and relatively light construction, this is not the type of boat that we would choose for extended offshore voyaging, but there have been several I36s that have successfully raced from California to Hawaii, and a number have made circumnavigations. In our opinion, the I36 is best suited for coastal cruising, club racing, or even daysailing and weekend getaways.

As with any older boat, a careful survey is mandatory. Pay particular attention to the chainplates, gelcoat condition, rig, and the mast step. We would also look hard at the engine installation, fuel system, and the hull structure near the mast. Try working in the galley and at the chart table to see if you can live with them.

All in all, the Islander 36 is a well-mannered, fast-sailing boat, at its best in a breeze. With proper, modern sail-handling equipment, it can easily be handled by a couple for shorthanded cruising. With good sails and a smooth bottom, it is also can be a competitive PHRF club racer.

Owners Comments

The boat is easy to sail single-handed, especially with an autopilot. It has great speed and points well into the wind. It offers plenty of space for a single person or a couple for full-time cruising. I upgraded the galleywitha three-burner stove and oven, and replaced the holding tanks. Im still working with the original Pathfinder 42-horsepower diesel engine. It has plenty of power, butit isn’t always easy to find parts or someone to work on it. – Len Diegel; Katana, 1980 Islander 36; Lake Grapevine, Texas

The I36 is a fun and fast boat in most wind conditions, and it does respectable in its class in local races. Improvements that would make the I36 even better would be the addition of well-placed cabin handholds to aid in moving about the cabin in bad weather, and a better-designed navigation station, which is too small and offers no place to sit. – Jack and Anneke Wolf; Trillium, 1976 I36; Muskegon, Mich.

We purchased our I36 in 2012, from the second owner who had maintained it in like new condition. This boat must represent the very best value in a coastal cruising boat for the San Francisco Bay area. Having been a racer for 40 years, my wife didnt appreciate sailing with me until we bought this boat and settled into pleasure sailing. Comfortable, stable, quick, and roomy all describe our experiences. It has put the pleasure into sailing for us. – Gene Novak; Fantasy, 1980 Islander 36, hull #581; San Francisco, Calif.

We have sailed the boat in 80-mile-per-hour winds with no problem. The Islander 36 is the perfect daysailer-coastal cruiser. My only criticism is with the galley, which is poorly designed and not very functional. – 1972 model, Texas

This is an excellent boat for cruising. It can be singlehanded with the help of self-tailing winches. Our aluminum holding tank failed. – l977 model, California

We bought the boat for its appearance, reputation, and size. Its a great boat for San Francisco Bay and the Pacific coast. Weve sailed it south to the Channel Islands and north to Canada. – l978 model, California

Very fast for a comfortable cruising boat. The boat seems to be a good compromise between being light enough to sail well and heavy enough to be safe and solid. Gelcoat has crazed in spots. – 1979 model, Michigan

The intermediate and lower shroud chainplate is pulling out of the bulkhead. – l980 model, California

The only real problem with the boat is lack of ventilation. It is an excellent blend of sailing performance for the cruising couple or club racer. I suggest looking for an older model since they are often exceptional buys and are essentially the same boat that was produced until 1984. – 1973 model, Florida

The cockpit sole is flush with the companionway sill, which is not a seaworthy setup for going offshore. The aft bulkhead is too slanted to leave the companionway dropboards out when its raining unless you have a dodger. – l980 model, Maryland

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FREEPORT 36 (ISLANDER) Detailed Review

If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of FREEPORT 36 (ISLANDER). Built by Islander / Tradewind Yachts and designed by Robert Perry, the boat was first built in 1976. It has a hull type of Fin with rudder on skeg and LOA is 10.9. Its sail area/displacement ratio 16.01. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by Perkins, runs on Diesel.

FREEPORT 36 (ISLANDER) has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid reputation, and a devoted owner base. Read on to find out more about FREEPORT 36 (ISLANDER) and decide if it is a fit for your boating needs.

Boat Information

Boat specifications, sail boat calculation, rig and sail specs, auxillary power tank, accomodations, contributions, who designed the freeport 36 (islander).

FREEPORT 36 (ISLANDER) was designed by Robert Perry.

Who builds FREEPORT 36 (ISLANDER)?

FREEPORT 36 (ISLANDER) is built by Islander / Tradewind Yachts.

When was FREEPORT 36 (ISLANDER) first built?

FREEPORT 36 (ISLANDER) was first built in 1976.

How long is FREEPORT 36 (ISLANDER)?

FREEPORT 36 (ISLANDER) is 8.38 m in length.

What is mast height on FREEPORT 36 (ISLANDER)?

FREEPORT 36 (ISLANDER) has a mast height of 12.8 m.

Member Boats at HarborMoor

I-36 Seasons Championships Our regular season Bay Area racing is now completed with our last race sailed last Saturday in the South Bay. Kudos to skippers and crew that participated in one or more of the races scheduled with special thanks to Rich and Tom Shoenhair on Windwalker and Dan Knox on Luna Sea for their almost perfect attendance record. This year's racing included a number of destination races including Vallejo, Encinal and the West Point Regatta intermixed with some around the buoys races in the South Bay Bridge Series. We had divisions for spinnaker and non spinnaker entries with Windwalker dominating the season in the spinnaker division and Kapai taking the non spinnaker category. Kapai was the lone entry for many of the races in the non spinnaker division and we thank Luna Sea for sailing non spin in the last race of the season giving us a chance to eke out a win! Here is a link to the season results: 2023 Season's Championship Results. Next up: The Nationals Regatta on Saturday, October 14th at Golden Gate Yacht Club. Beyond that, we plan to honor the winners at our Fall meeting November 18th at Coyote Point YC. Please plan to join usfor both and save the dates! All the Best Rick Egan Commodore

Last Updated 3/18/24

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• Sailboat Guide

Islander 36

Islander 36 is a 36 ′ 1 ″ / 11 m monohull sailboat designed by Alan Gurney and built by Islander / Tradewind Yachts between 1971 and 1986.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

With nearly 800 boats built this was one of the most successful models from Islander Yachts. During it’’s production history the ISLANDER 36 was delivered with the following engines (in a an approximate cronological order):

Universal Atomic 4 -Gas Palmer P-60 - Gas Perkins 4-108 - Diesel Westerbeke L-25 - Diesel Pathfinder - Diesel Yanmar - Diesel

It is said that the molds for the ISLANDER 36 were purchased by Newport Offshore Yachts of CA, USA in 1986. But it is not known if any other boats were built after this date.

SHOAL DRAFT: 4.8’/1.46m

TALL RIG: I(IG):47.00’ / 14.33m J: 14.48’ / 4.41m P: 41.30’ / 12.59m E: 12.80’ / 3.90m

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Freeport 41

• By Steven Ellsworth
• Updated: July 7, 2009

Several features contribute to the unmistakable profile of the Freeport 41: the large windows, clipper bow, bowsprit, and ketch rig.

Islander Yachts built the Freeport 41, a redesign by Robert H. Perry of the Charlie Davies-designed Islander 40, from about 1969 to 1984. The boat’s best feature is the aft stateroom, which offers a place to relax in comfort separated from guests or kids by a walkway and two doors.

Tall people appreciate the 6 feet 10 inches of headroom in the saloon, and everybody likes the easy stairs down from the cockpit. The galley is spacious but lacks brace points when cooking at sea.

Some Freeport 41s had all-teak interiors, and others had yellow laminate on bulkheads as well as counters. We made a big improvement to our Freeport 41, Destiny, when we installed white beadboard in place of the brown vinyl headliner and painted the bulkheads white.

It takes a breeze to get Destiny sailing, but once she’s moving, she sails through anything in a straight line. Downwind, under mizzen staysail and cruising spinnaker, she’ll really move.

When the wind dies, the original Nissan MD33-6 diesel engine, running at 1,800 rpm and turning a 24-inch fixed prop, drives Destiny at 7.5 knots. Parts are still available, and access is easy in the large engine room.

The Freeport 41 isn’t without its problems. The hull/deck joint, secured with screws and inferior sealant, leaks badly on most boats. Our solution was to remove the teak toerail, scrape out the old caulking, reseal the joint with 3M 5200, and refasten it with 5/16-inch stainless-steel through-bolts. We also added a Taco perforated-aluminum toerail.

The fuel and water tanks are 200 gallons each. Made of stainless steel or aluminum, depending on the boat, they’re encased in cavities under the saloon sole with no provision for drainage, so they corrode. In 1998, we replaced our fuel tank with two 65-gallon tanks, and we’ve found them more than adequate. We fitted a 35-gallon holding tank between them to replace the original 50-gallon tank that was built into the keel under the engine; it was difficult to get at and very hard to pump out.

The saloon windows give a fantastic view out but need storm shutters on passage. We had Bomon Marine make new windows for Destiny of Lexan with aluminum frames. They’re a big improvement over the 30-year-old plastic-framed originals.

If you want to carry all your stuff with you when you go cruising, you’ll love the Freeport 41. If you acknowledge that you might run aground someday, you’ll also like the full keel, with its 7,000 pounds of lead encased in up to 3 inches of solid fiberglass. The hull is solid glass, and the decks are cored with plywood. The 51-foot mainmast passes under most bridges you’ll encounter, and the 5-foot draft allows access to a great many harbors.

Used Freeport 41s generally list between $65,000 and $75,000, and owners take part in an active Yahoo! group ( groups.yahoo.com/group/IslanderFreeport41/ ).

Steven Ellsworth, his wife, Leslie, and their two children, Sterling and Carly, recently spent 19 months cruising the U.S. East Coast and the Bahamas aboard their Freeport 41, Destiny.

LOA 41′ 0″ (12.50 m.) LWL 32′ 6″ (9.91 m.) Beam 13′ 5″ (4.09 m.) Draft 5′ 0″ (1.52 m.) Sail Area (100%) 750 sq. ft. (69.7 sq. m.) Ballast 7,000 lb. (3,175 kg.) Displacement 22,000 lb. (9,977 kg.) Ballast/D .32 D/L 286 SA/D 15.3 Water 200 gal. (758 l.) Fuel 200 gal. (758 l.) Engine Nissan MD33-6 diesel Designer Charlie Davies/ Robert H. Perry

• More: 41 - 50 ft , before 2000 , Coastal Cruising , monohull , Sailboat Reviews , Sailboats , sailboats classic plastic
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1979 Islander Freeport 36 Model B by R.Perry

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I am considering the 1979 I36 by Robert Perry as a full time liveaboard, bluwater cruiser. I like the design although I don't like the forward head and outboard facing nav table. I do like the pullman berth and raised salon. I have heard the bulkheads are prone to coming loose. Can anyone out there speak to these issues and provide any other useful info on this boat. Thanks in advance!  

This post has been moved out of the bluewater boat sticky thread as it violates the rules of that thread.  

Search yahoo groups for "foggers", which is a freeport owners group, and ask that question to the group. You can also find a link to that group on the "Good Old Boat" web site.  

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