Cavalier 36 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

The Cavalier 36 stands as a quintessential example of New Zealand’s golden era of fiberglass boatbuilding, representing a significant step up in volume and capability from its legendary predecessor, the Cavalier 32. Designed by the esteemed Bob Salthouse and manufactured during the peak of Cavalier Yachts’ production in the late 1970s and 1980s, the 36 was conceived to bridge the gap between a competitive club racer and a legitimate offshore cruiser. While the smaller 32-footer gained fame for its narrow, traditional lines, the Cavalier 36 introduced a more modern beam-to-length ratio, providing the internal volume necessary for extended family cruising without sacrificing the "all-rounder" performance that became the brand’s hallmark. As detailed in the Salthouse Marine history, the partnership between Bob Salthouse and Peter Smith catalyzed the production of these robust vessels, which were built to withstand the notoriously demanding conditions of the Tasman Sea and the South Pacific.