Design and Construction
Before 1980, every Gozzard design had a traditional full keel. By the mid-1980s, however, the firm had changed its approach, adopting the Brewer Bit, a modified keel form first drawn by Ted Brewer. On the Gozzard 36, this became what the builder called a modified 4-foot keel with less than 5 feet of draft. It is paired with a skeg-hung rudder and an external lead keel that provides plenty of ballast for stability.
The hull is balsa-cored except immediately around the through-hull fittings. This construction keeps the panels stiff while placing solid laminate where water penetration could do the most damage. Period reviews say build quality remained excellent throughout the production run, with no major problems reported regarding the boat’s rugged construction.
Gozzard modified the design over its 15 years of production. The richly appointed interior layouts, engine location, and relative horsepower all evolved during the run.
Rig, Cockpit, and Handling
The Gozzard 36 carries a cutter rig with up to 1,000 square feet of sail. Its mast is under 50 feet, while the 12-foot beam provides wide side decks for safer sail handling, though twin furlers take care of most headsail work.
The cockpit is so wide that Gozzard installed a box-like island pod just forward of the steering pedestal. It serves as a table and footrest, as well as a platform for the winches and mainsheet traveler.
Owners report that the boat is easy to sail and can turn within two boat lengths. This maneuverability is aided by the hull form, which also keeps the propeller protected. One longtime owner said the boat didn’t point as high as some others but could keep pace with Cabo Ricos and Island Packets.
With the standard 46-horsepower Westerbeke diesel, the boat makes 7 knots very comfortably. Fitted with a Kiwi prop, it moves along at 7 knots at 1,500 rpm.
Accommodations and Deck Layout
The interior is unconventional even among cruising boats of this size. Movable bulkheads and multipurpose fittings allow the cabin to be reconfigured. In the forepeak, two settee benches slide together to create a centerline double berth, avoiding the usual compromise of a fixed V-berth.
The galley has a two-burner stove with oven, a deep stainless-steel sink, a large counter, and overhead storage cabinets. There’s also a navigation station, a large quarterberth, and a head with a separate shower stall—the latter an uncommon feature on a 36-footer. Two butterfly hatches with varnished wood panels add a touch of elegance.
Low freeboard makes the boat easy to board from a dock or dinghy. The wide bow pulpit accommodates heavy anchors, and a fold-down stern gate doubles as a swim platform with a ladder.
Engine Evolution
Engine power changed markedly during the production run. Hulls No. 1 and 3 had 33-horsepower Westerbeke diesels. The next four dozen yachts received either the standard 46-horsepower engine or the optional 52-horsepower version. After hull No. 52, the 63-horsepower engine became standard.
Owners report that the 52-horsepower engine allows economical cruising at 6 to 7 knots, with enough power to bash through a chop. This confirms the boat’s ability to handle adverse conditions under auxiliary power as well as sail.
Known Issues
A few service-life complaints are worth noting. Some owners say the cockpit may be too spacious and slow to drain if swamped—a consequence of the same width that helps with sail handling and provides social space at anchor.
Others mention the difficulty of keeping up with varnishing the abundant teak. That is an ongoing maintenance burden rather than a structural fault.
The balsa-cored hull also calls for vigilance around the through-hulls. If sealant fails at those solid-laminate margins, water could reach the surrounding core.
The Verdict
The Gozzard 36 is a thoughtfully conceived bluewater cutter that trades racing sharpness for liveaboard comfort and a genuinely adaptable interior. Its modified Brewer Bit keel, lead ballast, and skeg-hung rudder provide reassuring stability, while the evolving engine options give later hulls more authority under power.
It is best suited to a cruising couple who value build integrity and flexible living space more than a high pointing angle.
Pros
- Excellent, consistent build quality across 84 hulls
- Unusual movable-bulkhead interior with a convertible centerline berth
- Separate shower stall, rare on a 36-footer
- Able to turn within two boat lengths under power or sail
Cons
- Wide cockpit may drain slowly if swamped
- Abundant teak requires steady varnish maintenance
- Doesn’t point as high to windward as performance cruisers
