The BEST Cheap 36 Foot Sailboat - Ep 284 - Lady K Sailing

Interested in a mid sized sailboat you can sail as a couple down the East Coast or ICW on to the Bahamas and Caribbean? A cheap sailboat that’s well made and perfect for the sailboat cruising couple to have a sailing adventure on? This week we look at the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i, an injectional molded fiberglass sailboat set up for solo and short handed sailing with an aft cabin and sugar scoop perfect for the live aboard cruising couple.

[michaelhenry]

Saturday morning breakfast is regularly just a coffee and a Lady K episode. All a sailor needs.

[tonypatrick]

I brought a 33ft/10m yacht for 15k in 2024. Dinghy, 15hsp outboard, solar, wind and xtras for a total of $20, 000.. the last owner replacement instead of repair. Very strong bones. Ready to sail anywhere in the world.. I'm still in trail runs and doing coastal but should be ready for blue water next summer. In Nelson new Zealand

[ianscott]

Many, many years ago myself and a friend decided to buy a "big" boat. We both sailed sub 30 footers. We bough a Beneteau First 501 from Moorings Charter in St Martaan, we live in the UK but what is an ocean when you are saving money. As a charter boat she had 4 cabins with heads and showers. We were two young families with friends and kids.
We got her back home with no drama's, the keel and mast remained in place. The sails were poor and that is being kind. A year later with a few pounds and a lot of hours work we had a boat that gave two families huge fun both in the UK and the Med. Two of our kids went on to become yachtmasters. Not for everyone but it worked for us. Sadly decades later only one those friends remains to tell the tale.

[sondrax]

We fly to Long Island next week to meet up w our delivery captain and spend a month bringing our boat to Texas!

A 41 year old dream come reality! We are nervous but excited!

Along the way we bought some consulting from this guy and he gave us good advice!

Looking forward to ‘learning the ropes’!

See you fine peoples upon the waters!

🌊 ⛵️ 🌊

[MazarineFdeV]

Looks like a great starter boat, but good to know about the 20 year watershed moment. Looks really good. I'd go half-sies 👍

[mackenziebrewing]

Thanks Tim. You just ticked every box for the wife and I! We now have another one for the list 😊

[bravofighter]

This boat has always been on my wife and I’s watchlist.

[teddybearisms]

They make a 3 cabin version as well, if you're willing to settle for a wet head. The wet head is roomie and looks like it easily works with shower curtain to keep everything dry.

[davidhowell]

Enjoy your truthful, non- biased reviews of old and new boats and the niche they fill. Currently going through reviews of many brands, sizes and price of my retirement plan.
Great seeing you on PS, too!

[Lew]

You mentioned going halfsies on the boat in New York. It made me wonder about arrangements like that? Any experience with them? Is it a great way to experience sailing for half the cost? Or a great way to start a lifelong feud with someone? I’d love your thoughts. Maybe even a video.

[maurolimaok]

The ins and outs of this lady are really beautiful and cozy!

[seanrhone]

Before they passed, my parents were looking at the 36i to retire on in the islands.

[benlakish]

It's a good recommendation that fits a subset of boaters. I wouldn't consider 100k cheap. This boat does appear to be rather fast and spacious. It has a nice layout for two couples or for larger parties. From looking at Sailboatdata its specs don't indicate that it's blue-water capable (comfort ratio <30 and capsize # >2). Also it has a relatively deep draft for the east coast USA (6.36ft). So it will have have limited weather windows, and limited anchorages. Within those limits it looks like a good choice though.

[sailingmrnice]

I've got a 37' Endurance. Two double cabins, pilot berth and separate head/shower. Full headroom everywhere. Deck saloon/pilothouse. And it's a full keel ketch.

[ancap]

100k for an old 36 ft boat is anything but cheap

[bos]

Thank you for the review. I’ll keep this one in mind when looking for a cruiser in retirement

[reneberghuijs]

We bought our Jeanneau SO 36i in 2009 and can confirm that this is a great yacht! We sail in the Mediterranean and love the big cockpit, this is where we spend most time. The 36i sails very well thanks to the brilliant design by the late Marc Lombard, who designed many racers. About 11 hundred 36i's have been built, get one if you can!

[jamesflake]

Love it. These are great boats but my heart is wth the full keels. Just that there arent very many of them

[eliasgordon]

Last time I was this early, someone beat me to the first comment. Big fan of budget friendly recommendations for single handing!

[Glenn-biod]

Nice review... liked it a lot...I agree this is easily a live-aboard for a couple.