Design and Construction
Perry gave the Union 36 a low chin bow, short canoe stern, long flat run aft, and fairly straight deadrise amidships over a V-bottom. The thick fiberglass hull is hand laid, and the hull-to-deck joint is both through-bolted and glassed over on the inside. That combination leaves little doubt about the boat’s structural intent.
The encapsulated iron keel sits within the full-length profile. A “barn door” rudder is mounted on two heavy bronze gudgeons and a keel-supported shoe.
Above the waterline, the boat carries a great deal of teak. It appears in the interior joinery, cockpit and coamings, cap rail and bulwarks, and, where specified during construction, the decks. The deck consists of 5/8-in. teak planking over a sandwich of 3/8-in. fiberglass, 3/4-in. plywood, and another 3/8-in. layer of fiberglass. The cabintop uses a slightly lighter composite with half-inch plywood at its core. Both hatches are made of wood reinforced with stainless-steel rod.
Rig and Handling
From the early 70s to the early 80s, most Union 36s came with wooden spars. By 1983, aluminum masts and booms had become the norm. As cutters, most were rigged with self-tacking staysail booms. Originally, the halyards led to the mast, where they were handled with winches and belaying pins. At the other end of the boat, the boom-end mainsheet block and tackle runs on a traditional bronze traveler conveniently placed behind the helm.
The Union 36 isn’t an ideal light-air cruiser, although Perry recommends using a genoa and dropping the staysail to make the most of the available light-air performance.
In winds above 15 knots, she handles beautifully. She points fairly well and is at her best on a reach. Owners report that she rises exceptionally well to the steepest waves and remains dry and safe, while Practical Sailor judged the 36 definitely a good boat to be on in a blow. The rudder provides good control in a seaway, though the full keel slows the boat’s response.
Accommodations
The interior is straightforward, with plenty of headroom and good ventilation. Eight oval opening bronze ports admit air, along with a large butterfly hatch over the main cabin and a smaller hatch in the V-berth.
A large double berth lies forward. Just aft to port is the head compartment with a separate stall shower, while a large hanging locker sits opposite. In the main saloon, a U-shaped dinette to port provides ample storage behind and beneath it. The long settee to starboard pulls out to form either a sea berth or additional dinette seating, and a full-sized pilot berth is fitted above.
The U-shaped galley to port includes a deep double sink, three-burner CNG stove/oven, and 12-cubic-foot icebox. Opposite are a sizable locker and a stand-up navigation station. A large quarter berth fills the starboard quarter. Most of the bilge is occupied by fuel and water tanks to maximize tankage.
Known Issues
The Union 36 is maintenance-intensive, particularly where teak decks are concerned. Loose bungs, failed caulk seams, and leaks can eventually lead to rotten plywood core. Some owners have also reported mast compression, fuel or water tank failures, and mismatched hardware.
Another complaint is the drag-inducing, squared-off leading edge of the keel. Perry has said this was probably his fault: as a relative newcomer, he hadn’t given sufficiently precise instructions to the yard that built the keel. He indicates that the best correction is to reshape the leading edge with foam and fiberglass.
Steering systems vary, and the heavy-duty worm-gear arrangement fitted to some boats introduces enough friction to challenge windvane steering.
Refit and Ownership Considerations
Engine access is excellent, which is a real asset during ownership. Steering arrangements vary from boat to boat, ranging from an oversized worm gear to a binnacle-mounted wheel connected by chain and cable to a large cast-bronze quadrant.
Union 36s can be identified by hull numbers beginning with USC or UYC. After Edwards’ departure, the reported production run was about 160 boats, with the last sold in 1988.
The Verdict
The Union 36 is a serious ocean cruiser. Her nearly overbuilt structure, teak-rich detailing, and sea-kindly behavior in a blow will reward an owner prepared to meet the boat’s considerable maintenance demands.
She isn’t a strong light-air performer, and the squared keel leading edge is a known quirk that Perry has acknowledged. Even so, her composure in steep seas and comfortable, well-ventilated interior make her a credible long-range companion.
Pros
- Heavy, hand-laid hull with a through-bolted and glassed-over hull-to-deck joint
- Excellent engine access
- Good control in a seaway
- Roomy, well-ventilated interior with large berths and a stand-up navigation station
- Dry and safe behavior in steep waves, according to owner reports
Cons
- Maintenance-intensive, with particularly vulnerable teak decks
- Sluggish performance in light air
- Drag from the squared-off keel leading edge
- Worm-gear steering friction can hinder windvane use
- Mast compression and tank failures reported by some owners
