Islander 36
Built 1971–? by Islander Yachts
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About the Islander 36
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1971–?
- Builder
- Islander Yachts
- Designer
- Alan Gurney
- Length
- 36.08 ft
- Waterline
- 28.25 ft
- Beam
- 11.17 ft
- Draft
- 6 ft
- Displacement
- 13,450 lb
- Ballast
- 5,450 lb
- Hull
- fiberglass
- Hull / keel
- fin keel
- Rig
- sloop
- Propulsion
- inboard
- Fuel
- 30 gal
- Water
- 56 gal
- Holding
- 18 gal
- Water heater
- 6 gal · standard
- Number built
- 770
- Stern thruster
- not fitted
- Steering
- pedestal cable · Edson
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
-
Fuel 30 gal
“32 U.S. gallons (120 L; 27 imp gal)” — search excerpt, en.wikipedia.org · “121 liters (31 US gallons, 26 imperial gallons)” — search excerpt, yachtdatabase.com · “Fuel Tanks: 34 Gallons plus jerry jugs” — search excerpt (1979), yachtsboatslist.com · “Fuel 30 gal.” — brochure (1983), islander36.org · “30-gal. welded aluminum fuel tank” — brochure (1983), islander36.orgIslander's own 1983 brochure (from the Islander 36 Association) gives 30 gal, one welded aluminium tank; our earlier figure was 32. The 32 on spec websites and 34 in a 1979 listing may reflect earlier boats, and the association says tank sizes vary between boats. The 1974 brochure and price list give no tank sizes.
-
Water 56 gal
“54 U.S. gallons (200 L; 45 imp gal)” — search excerpt, en.wikipedia.org · “Water Tanks: 54 Gallons in 2 tanks” — search excerpt (1979), yachtsboatslist.com · “Water 56 gal.” — brochure (1983), islander36.org · “Two 28-gal. polyethylene water tanks” — brochure (1983), islander36.orgThe builder's 1983 brochure shows two 28 gal polyethylene tanks under the salon settees with separate deck fills, 56 gal in all, matching its spec panel. Our earlier figure was 54; a 1979 listing also gives two tanks totalling 54, so earlier boats may differ slightly.
-
Holding 18 gal
“Holding tank: 20 gallons” — search excerpt (1979), yachtsboatslist.com · “18-gal. waste tank” — brochure (1983), islander36.orgBuilder 1983 brochure: 18 gal waste tank with Y-valve and manual pump-out (overboard or deck discharge). A 1979 listing says 20; owners in Practical Sailor mention replacing original aluminium holding tanks.
-
Water heater 6 gal · standard (Seaward)
“Hot and cold water pressure system with a 6-gal. Seaward EHM-6 water heater” — brochure (1983), islander36.orgIslander's Aug 1983 spec list (Islander 36 Association copy) has a 6 gal Seaward EHM-6 heater in the standard hot and cold pressure system, heating method not stated. The 1974 dealer price list has no heater option or equipment list, so early-1970s boats aren't confirmed; association newsletters mention owners reinstalling or removing heaters.
Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.
Thrusters and steering — where this comes from
-
Bow thruster unknown
The 1983 builder brochure's standard-equipment list and a dealer price and options sheet (scanned by the Islander 36 Association) contain no thruster, but neither is a complete builder option list, so it isn't proven that none was offered.
-
Stern thruster not fitted
Nothing was found either way; our earlier figure of none appears to be an assumption.
-
Steering pedestal cable · Edson
“Edson pedestal steering with 28-in. stainless steel destroyer wheel, engine controls, 5-in. compass, brake, and emergenc” — brochure (1983), islander36.org · “Pedestal guard with table (option)” — owners' association, islander36.orgThe builder's 1983 brochure (hosted by the Islander 36 Association) lists Edson pedestal steering as standard but doesn't describe the mechanism; chain and cable to a quadrant comes from Practical Sailor, as cited in our earlier note. The dealer options sheet offers a pedestal guard, which implies a pedestal on the base boat.
Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.
Sources disagree on last year — left blank rather than guessed.
Solid hand-laid hull, plywood-cored deck bolted through an aluminum toerail. Lead ballast on most boats with embedded keel bolts; some early boats reportedly have iron. Deep keel standard; shoal keel (4.9 ft, 13,600 lb) and tall rig optional. Engines in rough order: Atomic 4, Palmer P-60, Perkins 4-108, Westerbeke L-25, Pathfinder 42 hp, Yanmar 30 hp; most since repowered, typically with Yanmars. End year disputed (see disputed). Active owners association (islander36.org).
Engines fitted
-
Atomic 4 (Universal) gas — gas, single
standard
sailboatdata lists the engines delivered over the 1971-86 run in rough chronological order, starting with the Universal Atomic 4 gas engine; Wikipedia gives the same list (probably from the same data).Sources: sailboatdata.com · en.wikipedia.org
-
Palmer P-60 (gas) — gas, single
standard
Second in sailboatdata's chronological list of factory engines.Sources: sailboatdata.com · en.wikipedia.org
-
Perkins 4-108 — diesel, single
standard
Listed by sailboatdata and Wikipedia among factory engines, after the gas engines.Sources: sailboatdata.com · en.wikipedia.org
-
Westerbeke L-25 — diesel, single
standard
Listed by sailboatdata and Wikipedia among factory engines.Sources: sailboatdata.com · en.wikipedia.org
-
Pathfinder 50 — 42 hp, diesel, single
standard
sailboatdata's spec block gives a Pathfinder 50 diesel, 42 hp; later in the factory sequence.Sources: sailboatdata.com
-
Yanmar — diesel, single
standard
Last in sailboatdata's chronological list of factory engines; model and rating not given.Sources: sailboatdata.com · en.wikipedia.org
- Atomic 4 (Universal) — gas standard
Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.
Generator
Neither the 1983 builder option list nor the 1974 price list offers a generator; no builder, association or review source mentions one.
Manuals and brochures online
- Brochure Old Islander 36 Sales Brochures (1970-1983 sales literature scans, Islander 36 Association) (1970-1983) — islander36.org
- Brochure 1971 Islander 36 sales piece 'Presenting the I-36' (Islander 36 Association) (1971) — islander36.org
- Price list 1974 Islander 36 price and options list (dealer sheet, Islander 36 Association scan) (1974) — islander36.org
Hosted by the builder or an owners' association; they own the copyright.
Known problems for this model
-
Chainplates and main cabin bulkheads rigging
The narrow shroud base puts high loads on the chainplates; check them and the bulkheads they bolt to, as some owners report chainplates pulling out of the bulkhead.practical-sailor.com · practical-sailor.com
-
Plywood-cored deck delamination deck
Sound the plywood-cored deck for delamination.practical-sailor.com
-
Hull-deck joint and cabin port leaks deck
Leaks at the toerail-bolted hull-deck joint and cabin ports are the main nuisance complaints; the usual fix is rebedding the whole toerail and replacing ports.practical-sailor.com
-
Corroded aluminum mast step rigging
The original aluminum mast step lacked drain holes, so salt water can corrosion-weld the mast to the step.practical-sailor.com
-
Anchor locker bulkhead tabbing hull
Check that the bulkhead forming the anchor locker is still well tabbed to the hull; re-glassing is inexpensive.practical-sailor.com
4 more
-
Aluminum holding tank failure plumbing
An owner reports the original aluminum holding tank failed.practical-sailor.com
-
Pathfinder diesel parts engine
The Volkswagen-based Pathfinder 42 hp fitted to some boats has ample power but parts and mechanics are hard to find.practical-sailor.com
-
Corroded headliner zippers and poor ventilation interior
Zippered vinyl headliners corrode shut and ventilation is weak, especially in the quarterberth.practical-sailor.com
-
Blisters and gelcoat crazing hull
Some owners report blisters (mostly repaired by now) and gelcoat crazing.practical-sailor.com · practical-sailor.com
Engines & parts
Universal Atomic 4 parts: good
Factory standard engine — you entered “Atomic 4 (Universal) gas”
Tens of thousands were built (sources say from 40,000 to 50,000). Despite being out of production for decades, the engine is well supported: Moyer Marine sells parts, rebuilt engines, fuel pump rebuilds and exhaust parts, and hosts an owners' forum; Old Lyme Marina and others also supply parts, and electronic ignition upgrades are available.
Parts sources: Moyer Marine
Common problems (3)
-
Raw-water cooling scale and corrosion cooling
Most Atomic 4s are raw-water cooled, so the block scales up and corrodes, especially in salt water; cranking without starting can also flood the engine with seawater through the exhaust.goodoldboat.com · moyermarineforum.com · keelindex.com
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Gasoline vapor fire/explosion risk fuel
Gasoline vapor is heavier than air and settles in the bilge, so ventilation, blower use and shutting the fuel valve (a stuck carburetor float can overflow) matter.goodoldboat.com
-
Ignition and fuel system faults electrical
Points, condenser, cap and wires, plus gummed carburetors and contaminated fuel, are the most common reasons an Atomic 4 won't run well.keelindex.com · goodoldboat.com
Maker’s service schedule (9)
| Engine oil & filter change | 50 hrs | “3. FIFTY HOUR CHECK a. Using sump pump, remove all oil from crankcase. Refill with a good grade oil as specified in Tabl” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Fuel filters & water separator | 50 hrs | “e. Clean fuel pump strainer.” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Heat exchanger & oil cooler cleaning | 50 hrs | “b. Inspect oil cooler and remove any accumulation of grit or dirt.” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Clean flame arrestor | 100 hrs | “b. Inspect flame arrestor to be sure air passages are clean and free from oil. If dirty remove and wash with kerosene.” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Check clutch (reverse gear) adjustment | 100 hrs | “4. ONE HUNDRED HOUR CHECK ... c. Check adjustment of clutch.” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Valve clearance check / adjust | 150 hrs or 1 yr | “5. ONE HUNDRED FIFTY HOUR CHECK a. Check valve tappet adjustment.” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Spark plugs inspect / replace | 150 hrs | “b. Remove, clean, and reset spark plugs.” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Transmission fluid change Universal V-drive unit (V-drive installations only; the standard reverse gear shares engine oil) | 500 hrs | “(2) After the first 50 hours of operation, drain unit and refill ... (3) Change lubricant every 500 hours of operation.” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Complete overhaul | 3,000 hrs | “At the end of three thousand hours of operation the engine should be completely overhauled.” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
Service part numbers (8)
| Oil filter optional add-on oil filter (not standard equipment) |
Universal 276236 | “2 Element or Cartridge 1 276236 (Oil Group, Oil Filter, Not Standard Equipment)” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Raw-water impeller Oberdorfer N202M-03 / N202M-07 replacement raw-water pump (Universal pump 295625) |
Oberdorfer 6593 | “5 Impeller 6593 6593 6593 6593 6593 1 (N202M, N202M-03, N202M-07 parts list)” — manufacturer, pumpsandpartsonline.com · “Impeller : Catalog # 6593, Impeller” — dealer, pumpagents.com |
| Raw-water pump kit Oberdorfer N202M-03 / N202M-07 raw-water pump |
Oberdorfer 10725 | “REPAIR KIT N202M N202M-03 N202M-07 10725” — manufacturer, pumpsandpartsonline.com · “Catalog # 10725, Repair Kit, includes O-Ring, Snap Ring, Impeller, 2 x Lip Seal” — dealer, pumpagents.com |
| Drive belt alternator belt (Prestolite and Motorola alternators) |
Universal 239387 | “19 Belt 1 239387 (12 Volt - Motorola 51 Amp Alternator)” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Spark plug | Universal 273276 × 4 | “8 Spark plugs, champion 4 273276” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Thermostat late style, from 1967 / serial #79476 (Holley 145 F, on cylinder head) |
Universal 200206 | “12 Thermostat Kit 1 200206 consists of 262278 and 261601” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Thermostat Dole type, before serial #79476 (on manifold) |
Universal 200207 | “13 Kit, Thermostat (consists of 275965 & 261144) 1 200207” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Zinc / anode fresh-water-cooled engines only (Universal heat-exchanger kit) |
Universal 299760 | “23 zinc pencil 1 299760 (Cooling, Fresh Water System, after serial #79476)” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
Sources disagree on first year, last year, number built — left blank rather than guessed.
Perkins 4.108 parts: good
Factory standard engine — you entered “Perkins 4-108”
Out of production but very well supported. Trans Atlantic Diesels (TAD) sells complete aftermarket rebuild kits (pistons, liners, rings, bearings, gaskets, valves, guides, seals), heads, blocks, crankshafts, genuine Perkins camshafts, rebuilt injection pumps and injectors, Jabsco/Sherwood raw water pumps, heat exchangers, starters, alternators and elbows, plus rebuilt exchange engines. The Westerbeke 4-107/4-108 family and some industrial engines share the base design.
Parts sources: Trans Atlantic Diesels (TAD), Foley Engines
Common problems (1)
-
Rear main (crankshaft) seal leak engine
The original rope-type rear seal is notorious for leaking and often starts leaking again a few hundred hours after replacement; Foley sells a nylon/Teflon replacement seal meant to cure it, and owners check the crankshaft sealing surface for pitting.foleyengines.com · boatdesign.net · forums.sailinganarchy.com
Maker’s service schedule (13)
| Engine oil & filter change 4.108(M) marine | 150 hrs or 3 mo | “4.107(M) and 4.108(M) Engines ... Every 150 hours or 3 months (whichever occurs first). Drain and renew lubricating oil” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Fuel filters & water separator 4.108(M) marine | 400 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 400 hours or 12 months (whichever occurs first). Renew final fuel filter element.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Air filter / intake silencer 4.108(M) marine | 150 hrs or 3 mo | “Every 150 hours or 3 months (whichever occurs first). ... Clean air intake gauze.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Drive belts inspect / replace 4.108(M) marine | 150 hrs or 3 mo | “Every 150 hours or 3 months (whichever occurs first). ... * Check drive belt tension.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Valve clearance check / adjust 4.108(M) marine | 2,400 hrs | “Every 2,400 hours ... Check and adjust valve tip clearances.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Injector test / service 4.108(M) marine | 2,400 hrs | “Every 2,400 hours ... Service atomisers.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Transmission fluid change 4.108(M) marine | 400 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 400 hours or 12 months (whichever occurs first). ... Change gearbox oil.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Clean water trap 4.108(M) marine | 150 hrs or 3 mo | “Every 150 hours or 3 months (whichever occurs first). ... Clean water trap.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Check engine for oil and water leaks 4.108(M) marine | 150 hrs or 3 mo | “Every 150 hours or 3 months (whichever occurs first). ... Check engine for leakage of oil and water.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Lubricate dynamo rear bush (where fitted) 4.108(M) marine | 150 hrs or 3 mo | “Every 150 hours or 3 months (whichever occurs first). ... Lubricate dynamo rear bush (where fitted).” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Check hoses and clips 4.108(M) marine | 400 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 400 hours or 12 months (whichever occurs first). ... Check hoses and clips.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Drain and clean fuel tank 4.108(M) marine | 400 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 400 hours or 12 months (whichever occurs first). ... Drain and clean fuel tank” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Examine and service starter motor, generator etc. 4.108(M) marine | 2,400 hrs | “Every 2,400 hours Arrange for examination and service of proprietary equipment, i.e. starter motor, generator, etc.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
Service part numbers (7)
| Oil filter later engines with spin-on filter |
Perkins 2654403 | “A genuine Perkins 4.108 oil filter - OE Part No. 2654403 ... Fits 4.108 and 4.108M.” — dealer, parts4engines.com · “Filter, Oil late type long 2654403, Length 130mm - 2654403” — dealer, lancingmarine.com |
| Oil filter early engines with element-in-canister filter |
Perkins 26540154 | “A genuine Perkins 4.108 Oil Filter - OE Part No. 26540154” — dealer, parts4engines.com · “Filter, Oil early type 26540154, Length 122mm - 26540154” — dealer, lancingmarine.com |
| Fuel filter cartridge-type filter housing (most engines) |
Perkins 4326658 Replaces 26561117 Also: Delphi (CAV) 296 |
“A genuine Perkins 4.108 fuel filter - OE Part No. 4326658 ... supersedes ... 26561117.” — dealer, parts4engines.com · “Fuel Filter (296) Was 26561117 Now 4326658” — dealer, lancingmarine.com |
| Fuel filter early engines with bowl-type filter housing |
Perkins 30242 | “A genuine Perkins 4.108 fuel filter element - OE Part Number 30242 ... fitted to early Perkins 4.108” — dealer, parts4engines.com · “Filter element, Fuel old type 30242, Length 74mm small element - 30242” — dealer, lancingmarine.com |
| Raw-water impeller Jabsco raw-water pump (3270, 3370-200 or 9970-200) |
Jabsco 1210-0001 | “4.107M / 4.108M / LL 9970-200 040 3/4" BSP Flange SK229 3298 1210-0001” — manufacturer, marineengine.com |
| Raw-water pump kit Jabsco 9970-200 pump |
Jabsco SK229 | “4.107M / 4.108M / LL 9970-200 040 3/4" BSP Flange SK229 3298 1210-0001” — manufacturer, marineengine.com |
| Raw-water pump kit Jabsco 3370-200 pump (obsolete) |
Jabsco SK33 | “4.107M / 4.108M / LL 3370-200 ... 9970-200 SK33 3298 1210-0001” — manufacturer, marineengine.com |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
Steering
Edson — Pedestal chain-and-wire steering parts: good
Edson (New Bedford, MA) still sells service parts: chain-and-wire kits, sprockets, idlers, pull-pull conduit steering and internal pedestal parts, and keeps steering data sheets by boat model, many decades old.
Parts sources: Edson Marine (service parts)
Common problems (3)
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Old or slack steering wire steering
Edson advises replacing steering wire about every five years, checking tension with the wheel locked, and inspecting under load annually; owners often find decades-old stiff wire.usna.edu · youtube.com
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Lubrication and fastener checks steering
Chain, wire, sheaves and pedestal bearings need regular oiling or greasing, and clevis/cotter pins and bolts should be checked monthly to avoid failures.usna.edu
-
Replacing engine control cables in the pedestal steering
Swapping throttle/shift cables inside an Edson pedestal is a common owner job requiring removal of the wheel shaft sprocket pin.forums.sailboatowners.com
Edson — Traditional geared steerers (worm / rack-and-pinion) parts: good
Edson says its traditional wheels and geared steerers are still available, now built with modern materials; rack-and-pinion steerers are offered for transom-hung and inboard rudders.
Parts sources: Edson Marine (traditional steerers)
Model sources (10)
sailboatdata.com · practical-sailor.com · practical-sailor.com · islander36.org · islander36.org · en.wikipedia.org · islander36.org · islander36.org · islander36.org · islander36.org
Own a Islander 36? Add her to your boats, then share a photo — names, numbers and faces are blurred before it appears.
Other Islander models
- Islander 28 1975–1985
- Islander Bahama 30 1973–1985
Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.