Cheoy Lee Flying Buffalo 36 Buyer's Guide
The Cheoy Lee Flying Buffalo 36 — listed on the used market as the Offshore 36 or Flying Buffalo 36 — is a masthead-sloop cruiser-racer built by Cheoy Lee Shipyard from a Maurice DeClercq design licensed to Cheoy Lee for production. With over 1,000 hulls produced starting in the mid-1960s, it is a familiar name among used Cheoy Lee Flying Buffalo 36s, and the example you walk up to will almost always be a fin-keel, skeg-rudder fiberglass boat of about 36 feet.
Layouts on the Used Market
Owner three-cabin layouts are the more common on the used market, but both are available; ex-charter examples are common. A former charter boat will usually show higher hours and more worn interior trim, so the three-cabin owner version is the one to seek if you want a boat kept as a private yacht rather than a fleet unit.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Heating and air conditioning are commonly fitted on these boats, which tells you most survivors have been adapted for liveaboard or extended-coastal use rather than stripped racing. Beyond climate control, some hulls were later modified to a cutter rig — a meaningful upgrade for single-handed or short-handed sailing that a buyer should confirm is structurally sound at the chainplates. No other equipment tiers are described for this model, so judge electronics, canvas, and ground tackle on the individual boat.
What to Inspect
The Offshore 36 has a lighter, more performance-oriented hull shape with a narrower beam and finer entry than the heavier Luders-designed Cheoy Lees lighter, more performance-oriented hull shape. On a viewing, look hard at the hull-to-deck joint and any repaired impact zones forward, since the finer entry was built for speed rather than brute tolerance. Confirm whether a cutter conversion was done and inspect the added chainplate loads. Because the design is quicker in moderate conditions but carries a livelier motion offshore than full-keel designs, listen for rigging fatigue and check the skeg rudder bearing for play that a lively sea state would accelerate.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats are typically found in the United States. Before you commit, run through a short checklist:
- Confirm the rig is original masthead or a properly converted cutter.
- Inspect the finer-entry bow sections for prior collision repair.
- Check the skeg rudder for bearing wear and steering play.
- Verify heating and air conditioning function if fitted.
- Prefer an owner three-cabin boat over an ex-charter unit if condition is equal.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Cheoy Lee Flying Buffalo 36. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 2 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 1 | $67,800 | — |
| Apr 26 | 1 | $55,000 | -18.9% |
Where they're listed
Cheoy Lee Flying Buffalo 36 listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 1.
Country view
1 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $55,000 | 1 | 0 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
5 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dehler 36 | 35.92' | $ 88,902 | 12 | 4 |
| C&C Yachts 36-1 | 35.67' | $ 15,928 | 11 | 1 |
| Finngulf 36 | 35.89' | $ 61,565 | 10 | 3 |
| Elan 36 | 36.09' | $ 58,439 | 10 | 4 |
| Cheoy Lee Flying Buffalo 36You are here | — | $ 55,000 | 1 | 0 |