2019 Purchase of Mariner Yachts 36
These are the notes that lead to the purchase of the Mariner Yachts (of NH) Mariner 36 built from 1979 to 1980. There are some brief notes on yachts considered prior to the purchase. Most of the notes are on necessary repairs identified in the boat survey, potential upgrades, pricing, yards, and sources of equipment.
The Mariner Yachts 36 was built in NH, as opposed to the Mariner 36 built in Japan. The Mariner Yachts 36 came in three rig configurations, sloop, cutter, and ketch. This Mariner 36 has a staysail ketch rig (aka cutter ketch). Closing on the purchased was completed in November 2019.
Yachts That Were Considered
A search of yachtworld was done for yachts between 32-39 feet A short list of yachts considered is available with some notes on each. When the Mariner 36 Staysail Ketch was purchased most of the candidates were still on the market.
Status at Time of Purchase
Not all of the issues with this boat were known at the time of purchase. This boat was purchased primariyl for the solid hull, minus side deck coring issues and the staysail ketch rig. Below is a brief summary of condition and plans after closer inspection in winter of 2019/2020.
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The diesel engine will be replaced with an electric motor for
auxilliary propulsion, with appropriately sized battery banks
and solar and wind charging.
- When the prop shaft was removed it was found to be slightly bent and had to be replaced.
- The prop was sent out for reconditioning and was found to be in good shaped resulting in small reconditioning cost.
- The cutlass bearing (prop shaft sleeve bearing) and prop shaft seal will be replaced.
- The prop shaft is not back in the boat yet and so the motor is not mounted yet.
- Batteries have not been installed yet. Wind generator has been ordered but has not yet shipped. Solar panels and charge controllers have not been ordered.
- The diesel tank now serves no purpose and will be removed. The space will be used for dry, canned and home canned food storage.
- The water tanks were full of dead algea so removed and power washed inside, then replaced, adding 3/8 inch closed cell foam to restrict small movement of the tanks.
- All plumbing was clogged, again with dead algea. The plumbing system was poorly installed and so entirely removed and is being replaced.
- The electrical system suffered from poorly routed wiring (many wires through the bilge), poor choice of wire sizes, poor installation, and terrible previous owner installed changes. The breaker panel was poorly wired by today's standards and was not sufficiently expandable. The entire electrical system is being removed and will be replaced.
- The hull bottom has been soda blasted and the hull and keel will shortly be faired by Richardsons Marine who will then add a barrier coat (epoxy based paint to protect the hull from blistering) and then apply new bottom paint.
- Richardsons Marine will also be repairing the side deck coring that was cited in the marine survey. They will also be making repairs in the cockpit caused by previous owner installation of equipment.
- The ice box was excessively sized and had a poor drain connection. The ice box will be removed, about 1/2 of the volume sawed off and fiberglass repair done. New insulation will be installed (4-6 inches, 8 inches on the back wall). The refrigeration had been engine driven and leaked badly. With no diesel engine this makes no sense even if it worked perfectly. A Sea Frost electrical refrigeration compressor and cold plate will be installed.
- The was a separate through hull for nearly each drain in the boat (galley, vanity, shower sump, refrigeration drain). This does not conform to today's requirements for grey water handling in US no-discharge coastal zones. A grey water system will be added. Most of these excess through hull have been be ground out and are in the process of being removed (repair to be done by Richardsons Marine).
- Bilge pump capacity was marginal for a boat this size. An additional higher capacity bilge pump will be added. Bilge hoses will be rerouted and better secured.
- All instruments (depth, speed, wind direction and wind speed, radar, and GPS will be replaced. The steering pedestal bars have been replaced. A pod will be mounted on the steering pedestal bars with a modern multifunction display.
- An autopilot will be installed. There had previously been a wheel driven auto pilot mounted in the cockpit which proved inadequate (not powerful enough in strong winds) and eventually had failed and was removed by a previous owner.
- A water maker may be added in the future. A space for it is being set aside. A heat pump cabin AC/heat unit may be installed in the forward cabin in the future. A space has been identified and hoses and wiring will be installed for this.
- All running rigging will be replaced immediately as it is very old, worn and in some cases appears to be close to failure.
- The forestay is missing parts and will need some work.
- The windlass may be replaced in the future. The existing windlass is manual and will be replaced with electric.
- The VHF radio is a fairly new Standard Horizon model. The VHF antenna wiring is a thin high loss coax (likely RG59) and run under the starboard water tank and into the bilge area. Better coax and better wire routing to the mast is needed. The wiring in the mast itself will also need to be changed.
- An SSB radio may be added. This is involved as it requires a ground plane and an antenna. It might be possible to use the baby stay as an antenna with insulators on each end, though if too short the main mast backstay may have to be used.
Status and plans will evolve. This is a snapshot of status and plans a few months after purchase.
Detailed Notes on Condition and Planned Work
Details notes are available on condition, equipment, and measurements at time of purchase. A substantial section on planned upgrades as well as a section covering completed work and an updated status page are available.