1981 Prairie Boat Works 36 Coastal Cruiser

Step aboard and you can feel the “little ship” heritage right away—wide side decks, solid railings, and a secure bow make line handling and anchoring relaxed instead of acrobatic. The saloon has that classic trawler warmth, with big windows keeping it bright even on gray days. Storage is generous everywhere, from deep lockers in the staterooms to clever cubbies in the saloon, so longer trips don’t feel cluttered. The engine room is unusually accessible for a boat this size, letting you actually reach filters, belts, and seacocks without becoming a contortionist. With both upper and lower helm stations, you can choose breeze and panorama on the flybridge or protected comfort when the weather turns.

This 36 Coastal Cruiser is an ideal match for waters where conditions can shift from calm to choppy in a single outing. The semi-displacement hull offers a comfortable ride at trawler speeds while still giving you enough power to push through a steep afternoon chop. Twin diesels and a bow-friendly deck layout make close-quarters maneuvering in tight marinas and crowded mooring fields far less stressful. Generous tankage and efficient engines suit longer hops between fuel docks, while the roomy interior and ample ventilation keep life onboard pleasant during warm spells or shoulder seasons. It’s a size that’s easy for a cruising couple to handle, yet capable enough for extended coastal exploration.