Cavalier 36 Buyer's Guide
The Cavalier 36 on the used market is a small-production offshore racer with a clear pedigree: Doug Peterson designed the hull in the mid-1970s, Cavalier Yachts of New Zealand built just twenty from 1976, and the deck was reworked by Laurie Davison to the builder's specifications. For a shopper, that means a boat with racing bloodlines and serious construction, but one that will take patience to locate.
Layouts on the Used Market
Every Cavalier 36 shares the same core arrangement: berths for seven across a seagoing quarter-berth, settee pilot-berths, and forward V-berths, with 7-foot headroom and teak or mahogany joinery of high quality. The 7-foot cockpit seats up to ten, and the balsa-sandwiched fiberglass construction with integrally molded chainplates and seven monel keel bolts is consistent across the class. Buyers should understand they are looking at a single design intent rather than a range of sub-models.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Solar panels, a bimini, and a dodger are commonly fitted on Cavalier 36s seen in brokerage, addressing the boat's minimal factory provision for sun and weather protection during cruising. Beyond that, the used fleet tends to reflect owner priorities rather than a standard refit path, so a buyer should assess power and canvas as the areas most likely to need attention or upgrade.
What to Inspect
The keel attachment deserves close attention: seven high-tensile monel keel bolts secure the keel anchor, and any sign of corrosion or movement at the bolts or surrounding structure should be evaluated by a surveyor. The integrally molded chainplates anchor are a strength but also a hidden interface — inspect where they pass through the hull and deck for any cracking or moisture ingress in the balsa core. The same balsa-sandwiched GRP construction shared with the Cavalier 32 anchor means core moisture testing is warranted, particularly around deck penetrations from any added canvas or solar fittings.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Cavalier 36s are typically found in Australia. For a buyer, the checklist is straightforward: confirm keel-bolt condition, test the balsa core for moisture especially around deck fittings, verify the molded chainplate interfaces are sound, and check that solar, bimini, and dodger are present and serviceable. A well-kept example rewards with a stiff, quick Peterson hull and a finished interior rare in the numbers built.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Cavalier 36. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 1 row
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 26 | 1 | $56,828 | — |
Where they're listed
Cavalier 36 listings appear across 1 country. Australia has the most listings with 1.
Country view
1 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | $56,828 | 1 | 1 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
9 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rustler Yachts 36 | 35.33' | $ 101,907 | 30 | 8 |
| CSY 36 | 36.5' | $ 35,637 | 29 | 14 |
| Rival 36 | 35.83' | $ 67,938 | 21 | 7 |
| Sabre 36 | 36' | $ 47,500 | 21 | 7 |
| Creswell Marine 36 | 36' | $ 39,404 | 19 | 1 |
| Nicholson 36 | 36.25' | $ 29,000 | 16 | 1 |
| Cape George 36 | 36' | $ 89,500 | 9 | 1 |
| Westerly Corsair 36 | 35.66' | $ 84,377 | 4 | 3 |
| Cavalier 36You are here | — | $ 56,829 | 1 | 1 |