BoatsCS 36

CS 36

Masthead Sloop · Fin w/rudder On Partial Skeg · 1978–1987

A Raymond Wall-designed masthead sloop that saw over 60 units sold in its first month of production.

Designed by Raymond Wall, built by Canadian Sailcraft.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/rudder On Partial Skeg

See her sail

The CS 36, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from Lady K Sailing

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her heavy displacement on a moderate beam gives 29 — a moderate, middle-of-the-road motion.

Comfort ratio 29
CoastalBluewater

1.85 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.

Capsize screening 1.85
LightHeavy

277 — heavy for her waterline, built to carry stores and ride steadily.

Displacement / length 277
EasygoingPowered-up

16.5 — moderate power for her weight; steady, all-round performance.

Sail area / displacement 16.5
TenderStiff

42% of her weight is ballast — moderately stiff, a middle-of-the-road stability.

Ballast 42%

A capable cruiser that sits just inside the offshore line — coastal work with real passages in her.

What the fleet has seen

The CS 36, as the fleet has seen it

Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.

The CS 36 is a Masthead Sloop sailboat designed by Raymond Wall and built by Canadian Sailcraft from 1978 to 1987, with over 60 units sold in its first month of production. This 11.1-meter (36-foot) vessel features a fin keel with a rudder on a partial skeg, a 3.5-meter beam, and a 1.9-meter draft, displacing 7030 kg. It was later known as the CS 36 Traditional after the introduction of the CS Merlin in 1987.0:36 The CS 36 is considered a durable, heavy-displacement option suitable for conditions like those found on the Great Lakes, where its simple, single-spreader sloop rig is easier to manage for seasonal mast-down storage than more complex rigs.8:13 A shoal draft version was also available, reducing the draft to 1.5 meters. Original engines included a Westerbeke 30-hp, with later models featuring 33-hp Mitsubishi or 28-hp Volvo engines.

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
41.9%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
16.5
Displacement / length
276.5
Comfort ratio
29.5
Capsize screening
1.85
Hull speed
7.3 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1202
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/rudder on partial skeg
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
1978–1987
Units built
400
Designer
Raymond Wall
Builder
Canadian Sailcraft, CS Yachts (Canadian Sailcraft)

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Catalina Yachts 35611.13 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 2024 6 Series fractional sloop featuring a 355-derived hull updated with modern laminate and deck design
Jeanneau Fantasia 3711.15 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Philippe H. Harle-designed masthead sloop with a high ballast ratio for stability and comfortable offshore cruising
Northern 37K11.20 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA masthead ketch with a skeg-mounted rudder and over 50% ballast ratio, designed for stable, heavy-weather cruising
Islander Yachts 3611.00 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthAn Alan Gurney-designed masthead sloop with a 15-year production run and nearly 800 hulls launched
Swan 3711.13 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthAn IOR 1-ton racer also marketed as the Palmer Johnson 37, featuring a masthead rig and a skeg-mounted rudder
Pacific Seacraft 3711.25 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthOriginally launched as the Crealock 37, this cutter features a 38% ballast ratio and a hull speed of 7.06 knots

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

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The fleet has more to say

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