Design and Construction
Morris Yachts framed the M36 as a non-production yacht-quality masterpiece rather than a volume build, and the structure reflects that intent. The hull is a cored vinylester composite with Core-Cell core in some documentation and a carbon-epoxy and Kevlar construction noted elsewhere, while bulkheads are structural plywood and the deck carries a low cabintrunk to preserve a sleek profile. A timeless sheer and long graceful overhangs define the exterior, with traditional appearance often highlighted by teak decks and varnished trim. The M36 has a Sparkman & Stephens design pedigree, with Bruce Johnson and Greg Matzat serving as chief designer and chief naval architect, and the keel itself is a high-aspect-ratio fin with a bulb that the builder credited with maximum stability and minimum drag.
Rig and Handling
The M36 was, at its 2004 introduction, the only daysailer to feature a self-tacking jib, sail-handling systems, and helm control pods, and that single-minded simplification still reads as the boat's central character. All sheets, halyards, and control lines run under the deck to two control and winch pods just forward of the wheel and within easy reach of the helmsman, while the only lines above deck are those for an asymmetric spinnaker led aft to winches also at the helmsman's reach. The fractional rig uses a smaller headsail and a bigger full-batten main for easier handling, the headstay not reaching the masthead, and a North Sails package totaling 558 square feet was standard with jiffy reefing and lazyjacks. Long-time single-handed sailors valued the M36 because she could be off the dock and sailing within five minutes, and under power the Yanmar 3YM20C saildrive backed straight with no prop walk and turned on a dime. The builder claimed she would still move in two knots of wind and could cruise at a sustained seven to eight knots.
Accommodations
Below, the M36 is a study in restrained versatility. The Herreshoff-style interior carries white bulkheads with solid cherry or gloss-varnished mahogany trim and a teak-and-holly cabin sole, while large safety-glass windows and a huge foredeck hatch flood the space with light. Twin port and starboard settees are ergonomically shaped for lounging or sleeping and long enough to lie down on, with well-placed reading lights inviting idle hours. A small cabin incorporates a galley with sink, refrigerator or icebox, and modest counter space, plus an enclosed day head with toilet and sink but no shower. Headroom limits six-footers to standing only directly below the companionway hatch, and ventilation is provided by two low-profile dorade vents, the companionway, and the forward hatch, with fixed portals and removable teak companionway doors. An optional or alternative V-berth converts the forepeak for overnight use, though in unfinished form that space also serves as sail storage; the builder offered to transform it into sleeping quarters as a custom option.
Known Issues
The M36 is not without awkward details. The DC refrigerator is difficult to reach and carries a heavy lid, though modifications were planned, and the head was slated for a solar-powered ventilator. Most notably for a boat stocked with so much equipment, she has no swim ladder, and the standard layout lacks bow and stern pulpits, stanchions, and lifelines entirely. The companionway flips up to expose the diesel's primary fluid sticks and filters, with further engine access through the cockpit lockers, but these gaps in safety gear and access ergonomics are worth weighing against the elegance above.
Refits and Ownership
Ownership considerations center on the boat's serviceability and the custom nature of the build. Access to the engine, through-hulls, and electrical systems is superb by the manufacturer's own account, and the mechanical and system installations are simple and straightforward. A Bruce 22-pound anchor stows in the chain locker, stainless steel chocks and rub rails manage dock lines and clip-on fleece fenders, and Hull No. 2 demonstrated the custom path with a Leisure Furl in-boom mainsail system. The planned refrigerator modifications and solar head ventilator suggest the factory was iterating even in the early run, and the custom V-berth option confirms a boat tuned to owner specification rather than fleet uniformity.
The Verdict
The M36 succeeds as a modern classic daysailer that compresses genuine overnight capability into a short-handed, beautifully finished package. The self-tacking rig and under-deck control routing make her uniquely simple to handle, while the S&S pedigree and carbon composite construction deliver nimble performance with a timeless profile. The trade-offs are real: limited headroom, absent lifelines and swim ladder, and a refrigerator that is awkward to use. For the sailor who values craft over volume production, she remains a considered choice.
Pros
- Self-tacking jib and fully under-deck led controls for short-handed sailing
- Sparkman & Stephens design with carbon-fiber mast and fin-bulb keel
- Herreshoff-style interior with light-filled cabin and convertible V-berth option
- Superb access to engine, through-hulls, and electrical systems
Cons
- No swim ladder and no bow or stern pulpits, stanchions, or lifelines
- DC refrigerator difficult to reach with heavy lid
- Limited saloon headroom for six-footers except at companionway
