Södergren became the yard’s in-house designer in 1981, and the 36 was one of a long run of Finngulf models he drew.
Design and Construction
The hull and deck are hand-laid fiberglass over balsa cores. The original review noted that this sandwich construction provides insulation between the skins.
The lead fin keel carries 5,556 pounds of ballast against a displacement of 12,125 pounds. That gives the boat a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 45.8 percent and a sure footing without pushing it into the heavy-cruiser category.
Finngulf offered two keel drafts. The deeper fin draws about 6.2 to 6.5 feet, depending on load, which limits the boat to major marinas. The shoaler fin draws roughly 5.4 to 5.7 feet and opens most harbor entrances.
A beam of 10 feet 8 inches and a waterline length of 28 feet 2 inches produce a length-to-beam ratio of 3.34. The displacement-length ratio is 241, placing the 36 among moderate racers rather than out-and-out racing boats or plodding voyagers. Wetted surface is 355 square feet, moderate for the boat’s length and enough to keep her from feeling sluggish in a breeze.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The 36 was offered with either a fractional rig or an alternative fractional rig. Under the ISO 8666 reference sail, the sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 18.8; with a 135 percent genoa, it rises to 21.7. That gives her more rig than 62 percent of comparable sailboats.
A Relative Speed Performance figure of 76, set against a theoretical displacement-hull maximum of 7.1 knots, points to a boat built to move. The fin keel and responsive helm provide the maneuverability expected of the type.
A capsize screening value of 1.87 and a Motion Comfort Ratio of 25.7 describe a boat that is steady enough for coastal work yet quick on her feet. Her immersion rate is about 1,058 pounds per inch, indicating how she settles in the water as the load changes.
Accommodations and Power
Below, the interior is finished in teak, the conventional choice for the era. Tankage consists of 26 gallons of water and 19 gallons of diesel, with the diesel carried in a stainless-steel tank. Those capacities suit weekends and short coastal passages rather than bluewater self-sufficiency.
Power comes from a Volvo Penta MD 2002S, an 18-horsepower diesel driving through a saildrive. A recorded speed of 7.0 knots essentially matches the boat’s theoretical hull speed.
Known Issues
The most important caveat is that the Finngulf 36 was sold in part as a home-completed kit. Finish quality therefore varies from hull to hull, and buyers can’t assume yard-level consistency.
The balsa core in both the hull and deck is the other concern. Any breach in the gelcoat—or a poorly sealed fastener—that allows water into the core can lead to localized rot. The damage may remain invisible from the surface until it spreads.
Ownership Notes
With fewer than 100 boats built and production ending in 2003, the Finngulf 36 remains a small class. Its Södergren design lineage and the yard’s glass-and-core construction give it a recognizable profile, but the home-completion route means each boat’s maintenance history matters more than the badge.
The Verdict
The Finngulf 36 is a thoughtfully rigged moderate racer with comfortable motion and a practical shoal-keel option. Its main drawbacks are the inconsistent finish of kit-built examples and the perennial risk of moisture in balsa-cored construction.
Pros
- Tall rig for the boat’s size, with more sail area than most comparable boats
- Lead fin ballast and moderate displacement produce a quick, steady hull
- Shoal-keel option expands marina access
- Insulated sandwich construction helps steady the cabin climate
Cons
- Home-completed examples can vary in build quality
- Balsa-cored hull and deck are vulnerable to hidden water intrusion
- Small production run limits familiarity with spares and the depth of the resale market
