Gozzard 36 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

Before 1980 every Gozzard design rode on a traditional full keel, but by the mid-1980s the firm had evolved its underbody by adopting the Brewer Bit, a modified keel form first drawn by Ted Brewer. On the 36 this became what Gozzard termed a modified 4-foot keel with less than 5 feet of draft, paired to a skeg-hung rudder and an external lead keel that provides plenty of ballast to maintain stability. The hull is balsa cored except in the areas immediately around through-hull fittings, a construction choice that keeps panel stiffness up while leaving solid laminate where water penetration would do the most damage. Period reviews note that build quality never veered from excellent across the production run, and no major problems have been reported regarding the boat's rugged construction anchor. Modifications were made to the design throughout the 15 years of production, and the richly appointed interior layouts, engine location, and relative horsepower all evolved as the series continued.

Rig and Handling

The 36 is a cutter carrying up to 1,000 square feet of sail, with a mast under 50 feet and a 12-foot beam that gives wide side decks for safer sail handling, though twin furlers do most of the headsail work. The cockpit is so wide that Gozzard fitted a box-like island pod just forward of the steering pedestal, serving as a table, foot rest, and platform for winches and the mainsheet traveler. Owners report the boat is easy to sail and can turn within two boat lengths, a maneuverability aided by the hull form while keeping the propeller protected. One longtime owner described her as not pointing as high as some boats but keeping pace with Cabo Ricos and Island Packets. With a standard 46-horsepower Westerbeke diesel she makes 7 knots very comfortably, and fitted with a Kiwi prop she moves along at 7 knots at 1,500 rpm.

Accommodations

The interior is unconventional even among cruising boats of her size. A scheme of movable bulkheads and multipurpose gear lets the cabin be reconfigured, and Gozzard built two settee benches into the forepeak that slide together to form a centerline double berth, avoiding the usual fixed V-berth compromise. The galley is equipped with a two-burner stove with oven, a deep stainless sink, a large counter, and overhead storage cabinets. There is also a nav station, a large quarterberth, and a head with a separate shower stall — the latter not often found on 36-footers anchor. Two butterfly hatches with varnished wood panels add a touch of elegance, and the 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 ladder.

Engine Evolution

Power changed markedly through the series. Hulls No. 1 and 3 carried 33-horsepower Westerbeke diesels, the next four dozen yachts took the standard 46-horsepower or optional 52-horsepower, and after hull No. 52 the 63-horsepower became standard. Owners report the 52-horsepower engine allows economical cruising at 6 to 7 knots with enough power to bash through a chop, confirming 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 complain the cockpit may be too spacious and slow to drain if swamped, a consequence of the very width that aids sail handling and social comfort at anchor. Others mention the difficulty of keeping up with varnishing the abundant teak, which is a recurring maintenance load rather than a structural fault. The balsa-cored hull demands vigilance around through-hulls, since any sealant failure in those solid-laminate margins could allow water into the surrounding core.

The Verdict

The Gozzard 36 is a thoughtfully conceived bluewater cutter that traded racing sharpness for liveaboard comfort and a genuinely adaptable interior. Her modified Brewer Bit keel, lead ballast, and skeg-hung rudder give reassuring stability, while the evolving engine options let later hulls cruise with more authority. She is a boat best appreciated by a cruising couple who value build integrity and flexible space over pointing angle.

Pros