Cabot 36 Buyer's Guide
The Cabot 36 is a sought-after, medium-displacement cutter from the 1970s, developed and constructed by Cabotcraft Industries in Sydney, Nova Scotia on Canada's Atlantic coast from plans by Ted Brewer and Robert Walstrom. With just 49 examples emerging from the factory — some sold as hull-and-deck kits for owner completion — she is a rare but coherent bluewater design worth a careful look on the brokerage circuit.
Layouts on the Used Market
Most Cabot 36s carry the standard factory arrangement: a U-shaped galley to port at the companionway with a three-burner propane range, a huge icebox, and a double sink, while a dinette forward to port and additional seating to starboard fill the salon. A relatively spacious head with shower sits forward of the salon to port, opposite a large hanging locker, and a large V-berth occupies the bow. The cockpit is small by modern coastal standards but was deep for an ocean design of its era, with a T-shaped foot well, a raised helm seat that reverses to a stern bench, and two propane lockers forming the aft "T." A quarterberth lies under the starboard seat, though it is tight, and a small forward-facing navigation table is to starboard of the companionway. Bridge deck steps up at seat level before the cabin, and a large companionway slide with a seagoing hood keeps solid water out.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Factory boats came with a 24-inch wheel on a binnacle, engine controls abeam the wheel to port, and non-self-tailing two-speed primary winches on the coaming. For a buyer, the meaningful clusters are power and energy — the original four-cylinder Westerbeke 30 with Paragon transmission and twin water tanks (60- and 30-gallon) plus a 15-gallon holding tank — and sail handling, where roller-furling headsails, dodger, and bimini were standard, with the slotted toe rail serving as genoa turning-block attachment since no side-deck tracks exist. Navigation is served by a small forward-facing table and four Lewmar hatches; comfort comes from teak cockpit floorboards, bulwark cap rails, and waist-high mast guards. Later owners may have added autopilots or modern electronics, but the bones are ocean-capable as delivered.
What to Inspect
The original factory fuel tank was black iron and was replaced after two years of service with an aluminum tank anchor; confirm any survivor carries the aluminum unit rather than the corroding original. The Airex-cored deck and hull were chosen so they would not absorb water, but inspect for impact or poor repair nonetheless. The Paragon transmission under the companionway steps is still considered bulletproof, yet verify the Westerbeke 30's running condition. Check the propane lockers at the cockpit aft end for safe 10-pound bottle storage and the companionway hood seal for wave defense.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
The Cabot 36 was designed from an East Coast/Atlantic Ocean perspective and built only in Sydney, Nova Scotia; regional availability centers on Canada's Atlantic coast. For a shopper, the short checklist is: confirm aluminum replacement fuel tank, inspect Airex core for repair, verify Westerbeke 30 and Paragon health, test propane locker ventilation, and assess teak joinery wear below. A rare, overbuilt cutter rewards the patient buyer.
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
7 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Dory 36 | 36.12' | $ 56,075 | 36 | 12 |
| Rustler Yachts 36 | 35.33' | $ 101,553 | 30 | 8 |
| CSY 36 | 36.5' | $ 35,637 | 29 | 13 |
| Sabre 36 | 36' | $ 48,500 | 22 | 5 |
| Ericson 36 C | 36' | $ 36,000 | 13 | 3 |
| Bayfield 36 | 36' | $ 59,900 | 13 | 0 |
| Cape George 36 | 36' | $ 89,500 | 9 | 1 |