Conceived in the mid-1980s as the cruising development of Thomas’s earlier 36, the 362 sits firmly within the British Sigma line of cruiser-racers that Marine Projects had produced since the mid-1970s.
Design and Construction
The 362 retains the Sigma 36’s solid fiberglass hull and deck. The hull itself uses a straightforward GRP laminate without a core.
Length overall is 36 feet, with a 28-foot waterline and an 11.5-foot beam, giving a length-to-beam ratio of 3.13. Displacement is 12,400 pounds, including 5,160 pounds of lead ballast for a ballast ratio of 42 percent. Depending on load, the fin keel draws about 6.1 to 6.4 feet, and the underwater profile includes a spade rudder.
A displacement-length ratio of 240 and wetted surface near 35 square meters put the 362 in moderately heavy, easily driven cruising territory rather than among ultralight racers. Its 1.97 capsize screening value and 24.5 motion comfort ratio describe a boat with reasonable offshore manners for its size.
Rig and Handling
Above deck, the 362 departs from the Sigma 36 with its masthead sloop rig and revised coachroof. The reference sail plan carries 594 square feet between mainsail and jib, producing a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 17.3. With a 135 percent genoa, that figure rises to 20.6.
The Yachtdatabase review notes that the 362 carries more rig than 62 percent of comparable sailboats, describing it as slightly overrigged. Paired with a theoretical hull speed of 7.2 knots and quoted speeds of 6.0 knots cruising and 7.0 knots maximum, that emphasis on sail area suggests a boat that finds its stride off the wind with a full inventory.
The standard running rigging reflects the masthead arrangement. The mainsail, genoa, and spinnaker halyards are 12 mm line at around 32.6 meters each. Jib, genoa, and mainsheets are 14 mm, while the kicking strap and clew outhaul are 8.2 meters long. Prospective owners should match these dimensions when replacing worn lines.
Accommodation and Tankage
Below, the Sigma 362 has two cabins and seven berths. Like many boats of its period, the interior is finished in teak. Headroom is above average for a 36-footer.
Tankage comprises 300 liters of fresh water and 80 liters of diesel. These capacities support extended cruising without the constant rationing common aboard smaller boats. The berth count also allows a family or racing crew to sleep aboard without turning settees into makeshift bunks every night.
Engine and Loading
The 362 may be fitted with a 37-horsepower Volvo Penta 2003 diesel driving a shaft. This installation produces the cited cruising speed of 6.0 knots and top speed of 7.0 knots under power. The 80-liter fuel capacity is modest but workable for a sailboat whose engine serves primarily as an auxiliary.
An immersion rate of about 206 kg per centimeter indicates how the hull settles as stores and water come aboard—useful context when loading for a passage.
Verdict
The Sigma 362 is a considered evolution of the Sigma 36. It trades some race-bred austerity for cruising accommodation while retaining the proven hull and adding a more powerful rig.
It’s a practical 36-foot cruiser-racer with above-average headroom, sensible tankage, and sea-kindly proportions. However, its slightly overrigged sail plan calls for disciplined handling and careful line management.
Pros
- Proven Sigma 36 hull in solid fiberglass
- Above-average headroom
- Seven berths in two cabins
- 300-liter water and 80-liter fuel capacities for extended use
- Sensible capsize and comfort ratios for a 36-foot cruiser
Cons
- Slightly overrigged compared with its peers, making it more demanding under sail
- Modest engine horsepower for a displacement of 12,400 pounds
