Only 49 Cabot 36s were built in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Production began in 1974 and ended when Cabotcraft Industries closed in 1978.
Design and Construction
Brewer conceived the Bite as a modification to the full keel. He believed it would give the boat the windward advantage of a fin-keel design while making steering in reverse more pleasant. Brewer believed the shape would give the boat the windward advantage of a fin-keel design while making steering in reverse more pleasant. The Brewer Bite also keeps the propeller and rudder fully protected while allowing the rudder to sit at the aft end of the keel.
The Cabot 36 is a traditionally molded fiberglass boat, but both its hull and deck are cored with Airex rather than the marine plywood or balsa wood common among many contemporaries. Airex is strong and doesn’t absorb water, removing the threat of seawater intrusion and the delamination that plagues other core materials. Owners have described the boat as fortunately overbuilt, with its solid construction evident above and below deck.
The modified full keel carries 5,500 pounds of lead ballast to help the boat remain upright in a blow. With a displacement of 17,800 pounds and a displacement-to-length ratio of 304, the Cabot 36 is a heavy, settled ocean cruiser rather than a light racer.
Rig, Deck, and Handling
The Cabot 36 has a single-spreader cutter rig, an aluminum keel-stepped mast, and a substantial rig designed for ocean crossings without concern for failure. Its more modern cutaway keel promised nimbler maneuvering in tight quarters. With a cutaway forefoot and a keel extending aft to support the rudder, the boat will track true in open water and provide a comfortable motion in almost any sea state.
The mainsheet and traveler sit aft of the helm seat, mounted on top of the coaming behind the wheel. This keeps the sail controls close to the person steering. There are no genoa tracks on the wide side decks; instead, the slotted aluminum toerail running from bow to stern provides attachment points for turning blocks and sheet adjustments.
From the factory, the non-self-tailing, two-speed primary winches were mounted on the coaming. They sit a little too far forward to be convenient for the helm, a minor ergonomic quirk on an otherwise ocean-minded deck.
The T-shaped cockpit has adequate room for the crew. Its raised helm seat can be reversed to form a bench across the stern, while teak floorboards help keep feet dry. A 24-inch wheel on a binnacle came standard, with the engine controls abeam of the wheel to port.
Substantial bulwarks topped by a teak cap rail reinforce the sense of security on deck. Waist-high, custom stainless-steel guards flank the mast for security on the cabin top. The heavy-duty cruising package also included a stainless-steel bow pulpit and stern rail, stanchions, lifelines, a dodger, a bimini, and roller-furling headsails.
Accommodations
Below, the Cabot 36 has what owners describe as a cozy feeling. Rich teak bulkheads and handcrafted cabinetry with finely made joinery cover most of the fiberglass interior.
The standard factory layout placed a U-shaped galley to port at the companionway. It included a three-burner propane range, a huge icebox against the aft bulkhead, and a double sink with storage beneath it. A small, forward-facing navigation table sits to starboard of the companionway, and a quarterberth lies beneath the starboard cockpit seat. The quarterberth is shallow, which limits its usefulness as a berth.
Forward of the saloon is a relatively spacious head to port, complete with a shower and vanity. A large hanging locker stands opposite to starboard, and a large V-berth occupies the bow.
Ventilation comes from five opening bronze portlights, four opening ports with large, seaworthy Lewmar hatches, and four fixed cabin-trunk windows that admit plenty of light.
Two separate water tanks serve the interior: a 60-gallon fiberglass tank beneath the cabin sole and a 30-gallon tank beneath the forward V-berth. A 15-gallon holding tank is also fitted beneath the V-berth.
Engine and Fuel System
The original factory-installed engine was a four-cylinder Westerbeke 30 beneath the companionway steps. It was paired with a Paragon transmission that is still considered bulletproof.
The original factory fuel tank was made of black iron, but it was replaced with an aluminum tank after two years of service. That’s a useful detail to know when assessing any surviving Cabot 36.
The Verdict
The Cabot 36 belongs to a small but purposeful fleet of Canadian bluewater cutters. Its Brewer Bite keel protects the propeller and rudder, while the Airex-cored hull and deck avoid the water-intrusion concerns associated with many other core materials. It’s a heavy, comfortable tracker rather than a lively performer, and its teak-lined interior remains a warm, well-built refuge.
The short life of the builder and a production run of only 49 boats make the Cabot 36 a rare find. However, a later revival effort saw at least one new hull completed in 2005.
Pros
- Airex-cored hull and deck resist delamination
- Brewer Bite protects the propeller and rudder
- Lead-ballasted modified full keel tracks true offshore
- Handcrafted teak interior with practical ventilation
Cons
- Only 49 were built, so boats are scarce on the market
- Factory winches sit too far forward for convenient use from the helm
- Shallow quarterberth limits its usefulness
- Original black-iron fuel tank required early replacement
