I'm looking to upgrade from my good old Top hat to something a bit larger with an intent to spend a few weeks/months with Mrs every now and then doing coastal cruises up north/down south and am looking at this Swanson 36 yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/swanson-36/328199 just looking for some advice from forum's experts.... So far I've only read positive opinions on Swanson designs and this particular boat looks quite nice inside and out, so far my only reservations are the lack of gas stove and poor sail wardrobe which I believe could be solved with some $$ spent. I saw someone suggesting to pay attention to chain plates during the survey, anything else that might be a problem? Or maybe there are better ways to spend 50-60k in current market on a couple's cruiser? Thanks in advance :)

The Volvo 2003 is now over 40 years old, great engine but raw water cooled with cast iron block. I had one for 15 years and clocked up 1000s of hours and ran it for days every so often.
But it now an old engine that weighs 150kg.
Might be a replacement in your future.

Otherwise 36s are quite good boats. (grew up on a 32)
Search Peter Mounsey and Breakaway.
Chainplate set up if original is rubbish as the bolts pull out off the threads on the hull side. be better fixing that then a new gas stove.
Don't dismiss a gas canister stove unless you planing to spend a lot of time board.
clean cheap, easy.

Key factors buying an old boat: Age of rigging, ditto engine, ditto sails. Note these items do not feature in ad.

Maybe a good condition 30 to 32ft more modern boat will do the trick. Remember a 30ft is typically twice the size volume wise, compared to a Tophat.

It depends on the trick. The Swanson 36 is arguably an under-rated boat compared to some of its contemporaries like the S&S 34, although since so many were owner-finished quality is obviously very variable.

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Chris 249 said..
It depends on the trick. The Swanson 36 is arguably an under-rated boat compared to some of its contemporaries like the S&S 34, although since so many were owner-finished quality is obviously very variable.

It's not just the fitting out. Something like 50% of the hulls were laid up in hired out moulds. I believe the 32 was the most popular for the mould hiring.

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Yara said..
Maybe a good condition 30 to 32ft more modern boat will do the trick. Remember a 30ft is typically twice the size volume wise, compared to a Tophat.

Maybe, but to be honest I don't see many modern cruising boats in sub 100k price range. Rigging and sails cost a bit but can be replaced relatively easily. Motor is different but they tend to work well if looked after.

Such a beautiful looking boat!
I have a Swanson 31.

Thank you everyone for your input, I'm now a happy new owner of Swanson 36