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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.

Islander 36
Photo: Joethon, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
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
32 gal
Water
54 gal
Number built
770
Stern thruster
none
Steering
pedestal cable · Edson

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).

Known problems for this model

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 “Universal Atomic 4”

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
  • 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

Sources disagree on first year, last year, number built — left blank rather than guessed.

Perkins 4.108 parts: good

Factory optional 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

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)
  • 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
  • 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 (5)

sailboatdata.com · practical-sailor.com · practical-sailor.com · islander36.org · islander36.org

Other Islander models

Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.