Chung Hwa Boat Building Co. Ltd. built the yacht in Taiwan under its own inspection regime. The yard already had a reputation for fine yachts and the worldwide distribution of deep-sea trawlers and sailcraft.
Design and Construction
The solid-fiberglass hull has a long keel and iron ballast, giving the boat a 31 percent ballast ratio. By displacement-length measure, the design falls among heavy cruisers. Its length-to-beam ratio of 3.60 makes the hull slimmer than 79 percent of comparable sailboat designs, while wetted surface is about 344 square feet.
The form reads from bow pulpit to a graceful wineglass stern. At the helm, the binnacle carries a solid teak rim around the stainless wheel.
The builder described faultless teak joinery throughout. Details range from louvered companionway doors to a hand-carved forward-cabin door, while a teak parquet sole reinforces the old-world appearance.
Rig, Sail Plan, and Performance Figures
The Magellan 36 has a ketch rig and a sail plan revised from the original Angelman drawing. The builder specified stainless rigging and dependable, quality winches.
Period estimates call for a 42-foot jib and genoa sheet at 14 mm diameter, a 105-foot mainsheet, and a 92-foot spinnaker sheet of the same diameter.
The theoretical displacement hull speed is 7.1 knots, while the calculated maximum under engine is about 5.1 knots. The capsize screening value is 1.84. According to yachtdatabase.com, the Motion Comfort Ratio of 29.5 places it more comfortable than 46 percent of similar designs.
Accommodations
Below, the layout favors enclosed warmth and stowage over modern open-plan space. The galley is to port, with a stainless three-burner stove and glass-door oven, dish racks, pot-and-pan stowage, a spice cabinet, and a deep stainless sink supplied by manual and pressure taps. To starboard, a roomy locker and wide quarter berth occupy the aft end. A chart table stands at the navigation station.
In the saloon, the dinette wraps around a teak table and seats six. Panelled teak, turned fiddles, and lattice-door bins continue the traditional treatment. The starboard bench provides additional seating and converts to a guest berth alongside the settee. Forward of the bench settee is a second hanging locker, while bins and long drawers provide stowage beneath the settee.
The forward cabin serves as the owner’s hideaway. It has an ample hanging locker, drawers, bins, and extra-large V-berths that merge into a double with a filler cushion. Each berth has a reading light and a fiddle shelf.
The head includes a linen locker, medicine chest, large mirror, and a shower that provides a hot shower in port. According to the manufacturer’s specification, fresh-water capacity is 33 US gallons and fuel capacity is 33 US gallons. Draft is about 4.99 to 5.29 feet, depending on load.
Engine and Systems
A 36 HP Volvo 17C diesel sits behind a removable galley counter and forward panel that provide complete access. With those panels removed, the engine and shaft log are fully exposed for service without contortion.
Sound-absorbing insulation around the enclosure quiets operation. If the batteries are depleted, a hand crank allows manual starting.
Bronze seacocks are fitted to all through-hulls. Bilge protection combines a manual gusher pump with an automatic electric unit.
Verdict
The Chung Hwa 36 is a heavily built, narrow-beamed, long-keel ketch. Its traditional teak interior and practical engine access suit a cruiser who values stowage and self-sufficiency over pace.
Its comfort and ballast figures put it in the middle of the pack among similar cruisers rather than making it exceptional. Even so, the well-executed accommodations and manually started diesel remain enduring strengths.
Pros
- Complete engine exposure and manual starting by hand crank
- Traditional teak joinery and extensive stowage from the forward cabin to the saloon
- Bronze seacocks on all through-hulls, backed by manual and automatic bilge pumps
Cons
- Slimmer and less ballast-heavy than most peers by comparative ratios
- Motion Comfort Ratio exceeds that of only 46 percent of similar designs
