islander 36 vs. islander 37
 

hi is there a huge difference between these boats? They are both by bruce king. Any comments on the islander 37? I hear a 14 year old girl is going around the world on the 36. Is the 36 a big improvement on the Islander 37? Please let me know,Thanks,Dave

The 36 (designed by Alan Gurney, not Bruce King, btw) is a much newer design built into the late 70s, the 37 (indeed designed by King) seems to have been replaced by the 36, so the 37s will be older.

The 37 appears to have a spade rudder, while the 36 is skeg-hung, pros and cons for both of course, depends on your preference. My observations are that the 36 does not back up well under power, but she's certainly not alone in that category. Most 36 owners seem very happy with them - they are a timelessly attractive boat.

The Islander 36 would be a much better choice
all around. Nearly all of King's designs are 'under
ruddered' and ill mannered off the wind.
The Gurney designed 36 is among the best
looking and performing production boats ever
built. The hull is moderately IOR influenced,
but the 36 sails well on all points of sail,
especially in over 10 knots of wind.
The cockpit is a bit cramped for sail
handling, and I could do without the
skeg hung rudder, but overall the
I 36 is a great boat.
It was a 16 year old boy, Zac Sunderland,
that recently circumnavigated in one.

I have a I37ms and a friend of mine had a I36 so I am fairly familiar fairly with both. They are extremely different boats in many ways other then the 36 point something LOA. Although both are decent low cost boats. I am partial to the 37, but I would go anywhere in a I36. Just depends on what you like.

Best of Luck

I forgot to mention the standard I37 has the prop above and aft of the rudder which makes it very hard to maneuver tight spots in forward or reverse. The I37ms and the I36 have the prop on a strut forward of the rudder.