Safe and Slow, the Monk 36 is a Classic, Comfortable Trawler

If you're among the traditional trawler enthusiasts who believe the term "fast trawler" is an oxymoron, take a look at a Monk 36. You can watch the shoreline pass at a leisurely pace of 7 to 10 knots in a boat that accommodates four adults in comfort and has a 25-year reputation for sound construction and elegant style.

With classic trawler lines, this Monk is not the namesake of any famous jazz musician or neurotic TV character, but of the late naval architect Edwin Monk Sr. Originally built in Taiwan, Monk 36s have been built since 1992 in nearby Nova Scotia and imported by North Sea Yachts of Point Pleasant, NJ. Its length overall is 39 feet and 10 inches, length on deck is 36 feet, beam is 13 feet and draft is 4 feet to the bottom of the keel. Bridge clearance is approximately 18 feet without lowering the steadying sail mast.

In profile, the Monk 36 bears a strong resemblance to the earlier and highly successful Grand Banks 36, which is not a Monk design. However, a closer examination reveals a few subtle differences intended to improve on these earlier designs.

This type of boat is highly dependent on hull shape above the waterline for dryness on deck. In the 36, Monk designed a higher bow with more flare and more angle to the stem than that of the competition. In addition, he incorporated a molded-in forward chine to prevent the bow wave from climbing up the hull sides. These design changes reduce the amount of sea spray on the foredeck and flybridge and make for a dryer ride. Of course dryness is a relative thing, and under most conditions, any semi-displacement hull is more prone to spray than a well-designed planing hull of the same size.

Throughout their history, Monk 36s have been solidly constructed of hand-laid fiberglass and resin, with solid laminate hulls and cored decks and superstructure. Pre-1992 models were typical of Taiwanese-built boats, relying on extensive use of teak trim around windows and teak overlaid decks. The high maintenance, teak-laden exteriors of the past have given way to aluminum framed windows and doors and molded fiberglass non-skid decks. The result may be a less classic looking exterior, but its one that is far easier to maintain and considerably less prone to leaks, and there is still plenty of interior teak joinery to give the newest models a classic yacht-like interior look.

On deck, the Monk 36 features a small foredeck, aft deck and wide side decks. Moving about and handling lines for docking and mooring is unobstructed. Although there isn't much room for lounging about, the forward cabin trunk makes for a convenient place to site. The flybridge, which covers the entire cabin top of the main salon, has seating for four adults and plenty of storage beneath seats. The cabin top of the aft cabin allows enough space for storage of a small dinghy, and a steadying sail mast and boom can be rigged for its launch and retrieval.

The interior arrangement centers on the main salon, with a port settee and high-low table that can be converted to a double berth if required. For added convenience, the table is designed so that it can remain in position when the engine hatches are opened.

Aft and to starboard is an L-shaped galley with a full, stand-up refrigerator freezer, a three-burner stove with oven and a double stainless steel sink. Storage is good with a locker and drawer in the galley and storage beneath the seating.

The guest stateroom, which is forward, has a large V-berth and private head that can be closed off to provide complete privacy for guests. There are drawers and lockers for storage beneath the V-berth, and on the starboard side is a large hanging locker.

The master stateroom is aft and features a queen-sized bed just slightly offset to starboard of centerline. An impressive nine-foot-long hanging locker is located on the port side along with eight feet of drawers and storage lockers on the starboard side.

In the older models, the aft head included a rather impractical small tub. This has since been replaced by a separate shower.

Today's standard propulsion unit for the Monk 36 is a single 220-horsepower Cummins diesel engine, which delivers a comfortable 10-knot cruise while consuming roughly five gallons of fuel an hour. Top speed is around 12 knots, but at a considerably less efficient fuel consumption rate. Older models are typically powered by 120/135-horsepower Lehman diesels, providing a seven-knot cruise and fuel consumption of about three gallons per hour. Fuel capacity is 320 gallons for a cruising range of better than 600 miles.

The Monk 36 does an excellent job of maintaining the original concept of the trawler yacht as a safe, albeit slow, and comfortable cruiser, and her 25-year production run provides a wide age and price range for potential buyers to choose from.

Jack Hornor, NA is the principal surveyor and senior designer for the Annapolis-based Marine Survey & Design Co. Hornor writes for BoatU.S. Magazine and other marine publications.

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