Design and Construction
Far East Yachts built the Mariner 36 as a heavy, solid yacht, consistent with the builder's general approach to sturdy cruising boats anchor. The hull and deck are solid fiberglass, and the long-keel configuration carries a moderate five-foot draft. Her 27-foot-11-inch waterline and 11-foot-6-inch beam give the hull a form-stability foundation that designers intended for a family-oriented cruiser bound for coastal and bluewater voyages. The ballast ratio sits on the light side for a boat of this displacement, yet the husky 21,000-pound displacement itself is what lends the section its reassuring mass.
Rig and Handling
The Mariner 36 is rigged as a ketch with a modest total sail area of 698 square feet, and period assessment of the design describes the sail-area-to-displacement ratio as modest, leaving the boat somewhat under-canvassed anchor. The same review argued she could comfortably carry another 60 to 70 square feet of canvas without strain. What the light sail plan costs in acceleration it returns in composure: the husky displacement produces a motion-comfort figure that approaches that of larger cruisers, the Whitby 42 among them, and the long waterline with moderate draft makes for predictable, forgiving behavior under way rather than sparkling turn-of-speed.
Accommodations and Intended Use
Everything about the proportions points to the Mariner 36's brief as a safe, comfortable passage-maker for a family. The designers intended these yachts as family-oriented cruisers for coastal and bluewater voyages, and the comfort ratio near that of much bigger boats underlines the priority placed on ride quality over racing edge. With 120 gallons of water and 70 gallons of diesel in her tanks, the platform supports extended cruising without the constant hunt for resupply that smaller vessels demand.
The Verdict
The Mariner 36 is a sober, well-built cruising ketch whose virtues are endurance, comfort, and the quiet confidence of a heavy solid hull. She will not win a buoy race, but in the hands of a knowledgeable skipper and crew she is capable of cruising the seven seas in safety and comfort. Buyers seeking a lively light-air performer should look elsewhere; those wanting a steady offshore home will find much to respect.
Pros
- Heavy, solid fiberglass construction by Far East Yachts
- Exceptional motion comfort for her size, near larger cruisers
- Long waterline and moderate draft suit passage-making
- Generous tankage for extended cruising
Cons
- Light ballast ratio
- Somewhat under-canvassed as delivered
- Modest sail-area/displacement ratio limits light-air performance
