Nelson/Marek Classic 36: Good Looking Daysailer

The recently launched Classic 36 Karen designed by Nelson/Marek is already attracting attention for both its speed and beauty.

The Classic 36 was commissioned by an experienced Japanese yachtsman
looking for a fast daysailer that combined the classic looks and
detailing of boats of the 1930s with the higher performance and user friendliness
of today's racers. Simplicity, ease of handling and portability were also primary
requirements. To be portable, the boat needed to be "containerable;" the hull,
mast, keel, rudder, rigging, sails, etc. all needed to fit neatly into a standard 40-foot
shipping container to enable safe transport to any of the owner's favorite ports of call.

Above the waterline the boat is narrow with short overhangs to maximize the waterline
length. Slab-sided topside sections minimize form drag when heeled while the transom
is raked slightly aft to balance function with tradition.

Below the waterline the entry forward is very fine and the sections smoothly transition
from the slab-sided topsides into a round bottom. The appendages resemble those of
an International America's Cup Class yacht and are quite deep since there
are no rule or harbor restrictions.

The boat has no complicated travelers, runners, or backstay adjusters, making for a clean, uncluttered deck.
Sail controls are kept simple with just a mainsheet and two jib sheets
running mostly below deck and to the center of the cockpit.
The mainsheet utilizes an end boom 3:1 purchase led forward under deck
to a centerline pod mounted winch in the cockpit. This pod also houses the
engine throttle and the headstay cylinder controls. Mainsail outhaul,
boom vang, and reef controls are located forward near the gooseneck.
The main halyard is 2:1 to ease hoisting and is led through a ferrel hole in
the deck and to a stopper at the base of the mast so the tail remains below.

The rig and sailplan are similar to the Nelson/Marek-designed 1D35 with two swept-back spreaders and no backstay. Powering and de-powering of the sailplan
is controlled by the below decks hydraulic cylinder attached to the base of the headstay.
To suit the shipping requirement the aluminum mast, which is painted to appear like wood,
is a two-piece section. A large elliptical roached mainsail with a
five-batten layout is set on the mast.

In keeping with the boat's traditional styling the jib has a small overlap and is hanked onto the forestay, which also helps keep the sail on the narrow foredeck when it's lowered. An asymmetrical spinnaker can also be set.

Down below the boat is beautifully minimalist. The combination of the topsides made of clear-finished Kauri wood, a light native timber of New Zealand, and the painted bulkheads also trimmed with Karui gives a soft feel to the interior. The only
interior accommodations are the structural settees with thin cushions. The rest of the boat is open. There is no electrical system and
the only plumbing is the overboard discharge system for the head located forward
of the mast on centerline.

The hull is constructed of epoxy vacuum-bagged E-glass, PVC foam, E-glass and Kauri laminate constructed over male mold stations. The deck is an epoxy vacuum-bagged E-glass, PVC foam and E-glass laminate over a male mold. Carbon fiber is used to stiffen the hull and deck in
way of the keel, mast and chainplates. The internal structural members are molded
E-glass, carbon and foam composites. The engine is a Yanmar 2GM20C diesel saildrive.

Karen was shipped to the United States this spring and is currently in San Diego. There have already been several confirmed orders for this classic daysailer.

Boat Specifications