Islander 36 vs Wauquiez Pretorian 35

zaldog · #1 (**permalink**) 08-12-2008

Hello all it has been a long time since I posted here and am looking for advice or just your opinion on these 2 boats.

I looked at and am currently considering either an 79' Islander 36 or a 85' Wauquiez Pretorian 35. I originally was just going to look at the Islander as it is first on my list, but the Wauquiez was right next to the I36 and I could not resist looking at it as well. It looked bigger overall than the islander. I know the I36 is a solid fast boat that can handle strong winds and point very well as is the Wauquiez from some quick research. Initially I would be sailing it on the great lakes and then eventually take it to the west cost as a live aboard. All Comments welcome and thanks in advance.

chucklesR · #2 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008

Friend of mine has a Islander, nice boat. Built to a different set of rules for racing which explains the why the Wauquiez looks bigger - the 35 is bigger on both internal spaces and windage.

Given a choice, and my personal preferences I'd go with the 35.

blt2ski · #3 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008

Looking up the PHRF ratings at US Sailing, the P35 appears to be about 5-10 sec a mile faster than the I36. upper 130's vs mid to upper 140's for the I36. While I personally like the lines of the I36 better than the P35, at my dock there is one of each moored next to the other. For a live aboard, not having been on either, the P35 looks to have the edge to me, along with the possibility it is not designed to the IOR rule, which sailing wise would be a plus in my book when running downwind with a spinnaker.

By the way, there are lots of both here in Puget Sound if this is west coast you are thinking about.

Marty

JimsCAL · #4 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008

There was a used boat review of the Pretorian 35 in the July 2008 issue of BoatUS magazine. They liked it, saying it was a very good value for a high quality boat. Worth tracking the magazine down. If you can't find it, PM me and I'll scan the review and send it to you.

zaldog · #5 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008

Thanks! found the BoatUS article online. Now I have a lot of decisions to make now the P35 is 1st on my list

, going to take a more thorough look at the boat with in the next week. It was nice to see how Wauquiez is pronounced (VO-KEY-AY)

JimsCAL · #6 (**permalink**) 08-14-2008

Good luck zaldog. Looks like a great boat.

Snboard976 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-16-2008

Hal Roth (author of "How to Sail Around the World") chose the Pretorian. In fact his boat is for sail on yachtworld right now. Just enter Hal Roth into the search on YW

Zach Sunderland currently attempting to be the youngest to circumnavigate chose the Islander (his video is available on youtube.)

Roth was a fan of the construction as well as the sailing performance. Sunderland had his father, a ship wright reinforce several sections of the boat. Both seem to be well built, performance cruisers.