Her long, narrow hull has a length-to-beam ratio of 4.14 and a displacement-to-length ratio of 223. The waterline measures only 23 feet 5 inches, while 11 feet 6 inches of overhangs give the boat elegant length beyond the load line. Draft is a modest 3 feet 11 inches.
Design and Construction
The Eagle 36 is built in foam-cored GRP with a teak overlay on the deck, combining modern composite construction with traditional warmth. She displaces 7,275 pounds with lead ballast, placing her in the light-displacement daysailer camp.
A bulb keel and spade rudder complete the underwater profile. Her sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 23.4 signals a boat tuned for afternoon speed.
Rig and Handling
The fractional, single-spreader rig keeps the sail plan manageable. Halyards lead to a single centerline winch at the aft end of the cuddy cabin. The jib-sheet winches are within easy reach of the helmsman, allowing a short-handed crew to trim and steer without leaving the helm seat that spans the aft end of the cockpit. A large-diameter wheel gives the driver feedback.
Cockpit and Accommodations
Two long seats flank the open cockpit. The port seat is cut back at its forward end to provide access to the cuddy cabin, while a drop-leaf table folds into the cockpit for meals or chart work.
As befits a daysailer, the Eagle 36 has limited accommodations but includes a head and a large V-berth, with room for more sleeping.
Auxiliary Power
Auxiliary power comes from a 12-horsepower Volvo D1-13 with saildrive. That modest output suits a light daysailer whose priority is sail-driven motion, and it uses a saildrive.
The Verdict
The Eagle 36 succeeds as a purpose-built dayboat. She combines a slender hull and long overhangs with foam-core construction, a simple fractional rig that can be managed from the helm, and a cockpit arranged for comfort. She isn’t a cruiser in disguise.
Pros
- Slender hull with a 4.14 length-to-beam ratio and 11 feet 6 inches of overhangs
- Fractional rig, with halyards and jib sheets reachable from the helm
- Foam-cored GRP construction with a teak deck overlay
- Long cockpit seats, a drop-leaf table, and cabin access cut into the port seat
Cons
- Limited accommodations restrict overnight use to the V-berth and minimal additional space
- Shallow 3-foot 11-inch draft favors day sailing over passage making
