Controversy 36

Designed by E. Farnham Butler and first launched in 1960, this classic wooden yawl represents traditional American yacht design at its finest. Built by Mount Desert Yacht Yard in Maine, the Controversy 36 combines elegant lines with practical sailing characteristics that have made her a respected choice among discerning sailors for over six decades. With her moderate displacement of 11,500 pounds and fin keel configuration, she strikes an appealing balance between performance and comfort. The masthead yawl rig provides versatile sail handling options, particularly valuable for shorthanded sailing or when conditions turn challenging. Her comfort ratio of 25.45 indicates a relatively stiff, seaworthy hull that should handle coastal and offshore passages with confidence, while the capsize screening formula of 1.79 suggests good stability characteristics for extended cruising. The wooden construction reflects the craftsmanship traditions of her Maine birthplace, requiring dedicated maintenance but rewarding owners with classic beauty and character that fiberglass cannot match. Her sail area to displacement ratio of 16.39 suggests moderate performance potential without sacrificing the predictable handling characteristics that make her suitable for both coastal exploration and longer passages. This is a yacht for sailors who appreciate traditional design values and aren't afraid of the commitment that wooden boat ownership demands.

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