Chris-Craft 36 Sports Cruiser / 36-360 Commander
Built 1973–1986 by Chris-Craft
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About the Chris-Craft 36 Sports Cruiser / 36-360 Commander
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1973–1986
- Builder
- Chris-Craft
- Length
- 36 ft
- Beam
- 13 ft
- Draft
- 3.17 ft
- Displacement
- 22,600 lb
- Hull
- fiberglass
- Hull / keel
- planing
- Propulsion
- inboard
- Fuel
- varies by year
- Water
- varies by year
- Holding
- 25 gal
- Water heater
- AC · standard
- Generator
- standard
- Bow thruster
- not fitted
- Stern thruster
- not fitted
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
-
Fuel varies by year
“Fuel capacity, Gas 330 gals. (1249 l)” — brochure (1979 (gas)), commanderclub.com · “Diesel 320 gals. (1211 l)” — brochure (1979 (diesel)), commanderclub.com · “FUEL CAPACITY 400 gals 1514 lt” — brochure (1983), commanderclub.com · “FUEL CAPACITY: 400 gals (1514 lt)” — brochure (1985), commanderclub.com · “1983 increased fuel to 400 gal” — owners' association (1983-1986), commanderclub.com · “increase in fuel capacity to 400 gallons in 1983” — spec database (1983-1986), hmy.comFactory brochures give 330 gal (gas) or 320 gal (diesel) in 1979, and 400 gal in 1983 and 1985. The owners' club and the HMY powerboat guide both date the increase to 1983. Our earlier 400 fits only 1983-86 boats; most of the run (1973-82) had the smaller tank.
-
Water varies by year
“Fresh water capacity 75 gals. (284 l)” — brochure (1979), commanderclub.com · “FRESH WATER CAPACITY 65 gals 246 lt” — brochure (1983), commanderclub.com · “FRESH WATER CAPACITY: 100 gals (378 lt)” — brochure (1985), commanderclub.com · “Water 75/100 gal” — owners' association, commanderclub.com · “Water 75/100 gal” — owners' association, commanderclub.comFactory brochures give 75 gal (1979), 65 gal (1983) and 100 gal (1985, after the 1984 single-stateroom redesign); the owners' club lists 75/100. Our earlier 100 is the late-model figure only.
-
Holding 25 gal
None of the three factory brochures gives a holding-tank capacity.
-
Water heater AC · standard
“Water Pressure System, hot & cold, 115V w/water heater (36 Commander standard equipment)” — brochure (1979), commanderclub.com · “Water pressure system, hot & cold, 115V, w/water heater (360 Commander Sport Sedan standard equipment)” — brochure (1983), commanderclub.comStandard in the 1979 and 1983 builder brochures' standard-equipment lists; capacity never stated. Only 115V heating is mentioned.
Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.
Thrusters and steering — where this comes from
-
Bow thruster not fitted
Our earlier figure of none has no source. The 1979, 1983 and 1985 builder brochures list standard equipment only and refer buyers to a separate price schedule for options, so they can't confirm or rule out a thruster.
-
Stern thruster not fitted
Our earlier figure of none has no source; the brochures carry no option list.
-
Steering unknown
The 36 Commander's standard-equipment entries in the 1979 brochure and the owners' club notes do not mention steering.
Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.
Sources disagree on engines[gas].hp, hp (standard gas engines) — left blank rather than guessed.
Called 36 Sports Cruiser 1973-77, 36 Commander 1978-80, 360 Commander 1981-86. Solid fiberglass, low-deadrise hull that pounds in a chop. Fuel 300 gal until 1983 (400 after); water 75/100 gal. Deckhouse and bridge restyled 1985. Flush cockpit, no transom door.
Engines fitted
-
MerCruiser gas V8 inboard — 340 hp, gas, twin
standard
Commander Club's model page lists twin 340 hp MerCruiser inboards as the gas choice; HMY calls the standard gas engines 350 hp (its BoatUS note says 330 hp). Gas make over the whole 1973-86 run not confirmed (see disputed).Sources: commanderclub.com · hmy.com
-
Caterpillar 3208T — 300 hp, diesel, twin
factory option
HMY: Cat 300 hp diesels raise cruise to about 22 kn; Commander Club names them 3208T.Sources: hmy.com · commanderclub.com
-
Cummins VT555 — 320 hp, diesel, twin
factory option
HMY lists 320 hp Cummins as the alternative diesel; Commander Club names the VT555.Sources: hmy.com · commanderclub.com
Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.
Generator
standard
“Generator, 7.5 KW (diesel), fresh water cooled, remote start station ... Generator, 6.5 KW (gas), raw water cooled, remo” — brochure (1979), commanderclub.com
Standard on the 1979 36 Commander. The August 1983 brochure's standard list for the 360 Commander Sport Sedan has no generator (it refers to a separate price schedule for options), so it was probably dropped from standard equipment by 1983. The 1985 brochure gives specs only.
-
Generator (make not stated) — 7.5 kW, diesel
standard
Make not named; presumably paired with diesel engines.“Generator, 7.5 KW (diesel), fresh water cooled, remote start station, indicator light, sound shield, muffler, fuel filte” — brochure (1979), commanderclub.com
-
Generator (make not stated) — 6.5 kW, gas
standard
Make not named; presumably paired with gas engines.“Generator, 6.5 KW (gas), raw water cooled, remote start station w/muffler” — brochure (1979), commanderclub.com
Generators are often replaced or added — check the unit's own plate before ordering parts.
Manuals and brochures online
- Brochure 1979 Chris-Craft Cruisers brochure (scan, with per-model spec tables) (1979) — commanderclub.com
- Brochure Chris-Craft Cruisers brochure, August 1983 (scan, with per-model spec tables) (1983) — commanderclub.com
- Brochure 1985 Chris-Craft fleet brochure, cruisers (scan, with spec pages) (1985) — commanderclub.com
- Document 360 Commander / 36 Commander differences (owners' club notes) — commanderclub.com
Hosted by the builder or an owners' association; they own the copyright.
Known problems for this model
No well-sourced problem reports found yet.
Engines & parts
MerCruiser 5.0 (305) / 5.7 (350) V8 gas parts: good
Factory standard engine — you entered “MerCruiser gas V8 inboard”
GM small-block Chevrolet base engines, so internal parts are everywhere. Marine exhaust manifolds and risers for 1983–2002 small blocks are sold by many aftermarket makers (Sierra, Barr, Osco and others) through Power Boat Supply, Hardin Marine, Basic Power Industries and similar stores; Mercury sells genuine parts through dealers.
Parts sources: Power Boat Supply, Hardin Marine, Basic Power Industries
Common problems (2)
-
Manifold/riser failure and water in cylinders exhaust
Cast-iron manifolds and risers rust internally or their gaskets fail, letting water back into the cylinders; small amounts cause hard starting and rough running, large amounts hydrolock and wreck the engine. Service roughly every 7 years in fresh water and about 5 in salt.powerandmotoryacht.com · forums.iboats.com · justanswer.com
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Overheating from scaled manifolds cooling
Rust and scale inside the manifolds restrict cooling flow and cause overheating under load.powerandmotoryacht.com
Maker’s service schedule (8)
| Engine oil & filter change | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “Most four-stroke outboards and sterndrive engines require an oil change either annually or every 100 hours of operation.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Fuel filters & water separator | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “The fuel filter on your engine should be inspected or replaced per the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual, usua” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Raw-water pump impeller | 300 hrs or 3 yrs | “How often should my seawater pump impeller be serviced? Every 300 hours or 3 years, whichever comes first.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Spark plugs inspect / replace | 300 hrs or 3 yrs | “How often should spark plugs be changed? Every 300 hours or 3 years, whichever comes first.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Coolant replacement & freeze-point test closed (freshwater) cooling only | 5 yrs | “How often should coolant be changed on engines with closed cooling? Every 5 years.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Transmission fluid change sterndrive gear lube | 1 yr | “Gearcase lubricant in outboard and sterndrive lower units should also be changed annually or at the service interval spe” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Lubricate steering linkage and check power-steering fluid sterndrive | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “Mercury Marine recommends lubricating the steering linkage and checking the power steering fluid level in ... MerCruiser” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Check power trim fluid level sterndrive | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “Power trim and tilt fluid level should be checked annually or every 100 hours.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
Service part numbers (6)
| Oil filter | Mercury Quicksilver 35-866340Q03 | “Part number: 866340Q03 ... for MerCruiser sterndrive and inboard engines except V6 engines with the oil filter mounted o” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com · “Includes: Oil Filter Oil Filter 866340Q03 Fuel Filter 802893Q01 ...” — dealer, midnightmarine.net |
| Fuel filter carbureted engines (Rochester 2-/4-barrel, MerCarb 2-barrel): filter inside carburetor fuel inlet |
Mercury 53336T | “For use on MerCruiser 3.0L, 4.3L, 5.0L , 5.7L and 7.4L engines with Rochester 2- and 4-barrel and MerCarb” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Fuel filter MPI engines with Gen III cool fuel module (filter page: 2004 and newer; kit page: 2002 and newer) |
Mercury Quicksilver 35-8M0093688 | “Fits 2004 and newer Mercury/MerCruiser sterndrive and inboard engines with Gen III (3) fuel cooler” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| Raw-water impeller Bravo sterndrive and inboard engines with engine-mounted sea water pump (2-piece plastic pump per Mercury) |
Mercury Quicksilver 47-59362Q01 Also: Sierra 18-3087 |
“For MerCruiser engines with engine mounted, 2-piece, plastic sea water pumps.” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com · “Water Pump Impeller 59362Q01” — dealer, midnightmarine.net |
| Thermostat standard cooling, 160 F |
Mercury Quicksilver 807252Q5 | “Thermostat 807252Q5 is for V6 and V8 MerCruiser engines ... made by General Motors (model year 1987-2016)” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
| 100-hour maintenance kit (oil filter, fuel filter, drive seals) MPI engines with Gen III cool fuel module (2002 and newer) |
Mercury 8M0147053 | “Mercury 8M0147053 MerCruiser 5.0L, 5.7L, 6.2L, 8.1L and 8.2L V8 MPI ... 100 Hour Maintenance Kit” — manufacturer, mercurymarine.com |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
Caterpillar 3208 (NA / T / TA) parts: good
Factory optional engine — you entered “Caterpillar 3208T”
V8 introduced in the 1970s and discontinued in the late 1990s (Big Bear Engine gives 1999). Naturally aspirated versions run about 210 hp; turbo and turbo-aftercooled versions go up to 435 hp. Cat dealers still supply many genuine parts by serial number, and aftermarket in-frame/overhaul kits (pistons, rings, liners, bearings) are sold by Diesel Pro Power, Highway and Heavy Parts and others; complete remanufactured long blocks are also sold. The block is unsleeved from the factory but can be bored and sleeved during a rebuild.
Parts sources: Diesel Pro Power, Highway and Heavy Parts (Cat 3208), Big Bear Engine Company (3208 long blocks)
Common problems (3)
-
Aftercooler failure flooding the engine (TA models) cooling
The seawater-cooled aftercooler on turbo-aftercooled 3208s has aluminum parts that corrode; a failure can let seawater into the cylinders. Owners pull, clean, grease and pressure-test aftercoolers every 2–3 years and some replace them on a fixed schedule.trawlerforum.com · forums.ybw.com
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Short life at high ratings / overloading engine
The higher-rated 3208TA engines last longer when run well below full power and propped so they can reach rated rpm; overheating or running at full load continuously shortens life.trawlerforum.com · trawlerforum.com
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Overheating at high throttle cooling
Common causes owners check are clogged heat exchangers, thermostats, fouled keel coolers or restricted raw water flow, and faulty temperature senders.justanswer.com · facebook.com
Maker’s service schedule (20)
| Engine oil & filter change | 250 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 9000 L (2400 US gal) of Fuel or 250 Service Hours or Yearly ... Engine Oil and Filter - Change” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se |
| Fuel filters & water separator | 250 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 9000 L (2400 US gal) of Fuel or 250 Service Hours or Yearly ... Fuel System Primary Filter/Water Separator Element” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se |
| Raw-water pump impeller | 250 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 9000 L (2400 US gal) of Fuel or 250 Service Hours or Yearly ... Auxiliary Water Pump - Inspect” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se |
| Engine pencil zincs | 50 hrs | “Every 1900 L (500 US gal) of Fuel or 50 Service Hours ... Zinc Rods - Inspect/Replace” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se |
| Air filter / intake silencer | 250 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 9000 L (2400 US gal) of Fuel or 250 Service Hours or Yearly ... Engine Air Cleaner Element - Clean/Replace” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se |
| Valve clearance check / adjust | 2,000 hrs | “Initial 9000 L (2400 US gal) of Fuel or 250 Service Hours or 1 Year ... Engine Valve Lash - Inspect/Adjust” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se |
| Coolant replacement & freeze-point test Cat DEAC / conventional coolant | 1,000 hrs or 2 yrs | “Every 36 000 L (9000 US gal) of Fuel or 1000 Service Hours or 2 Years ... Cooling System Coolant (DEAC) - Change” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se |
| Coolant replacement & freeze-point test Cat ELC (extended life coolant) | 6,000 hrs or 4 yrs | “Every 216 000 L (57 000 US gal) of Fuel or 6000 Service Hours or 4 Years ... Cooling System Coolant (ELC) - Change” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se |
| Turbocharger inspection | 1,000 hrs or 2 yrs | “Every 36 000 L (9000 US gal) of Fuel or 1000 Service Hours or 2 Years ... Aftercooler Core - Clean/Test” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se |
| Turbocharger inspect | 2,000 hrs | “Every 72 000 L (19 000 US gal) of Fuel or 2000 Service Hours ... Turbocharger - Inspect” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se |
| Heat exchanger & oil cooler cleaning | 2,000 hrs | “Every 72 000 L (19 000 US gal) of Fuel or 2000 Service Hours ... Heat Exchanger - Inspect” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se |
| Injector test / service | 2,000 hrs | “Every 72 000 L (19 000 US gal) of Fuel or 2000 Service Hours ... Fuel Injection Nozzles - Test/Exchange” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se |
| Sea water strainer clean/inspect | 250 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 9000 L (2400 US gal) of Fuel or 250 Service Hours or Yearly ... Sea Water Strainer - Clean/Inspect” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se |
| Coolant SCA test/add | 250 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 9000 L (2400 US gal) of Fuel or 250 Service Hours or Yearly ... Cooling System Supplemental Coolant Additive (SCA)” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se |
| Hoses and clamps inspect/replace | 250 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 9000 L (2400 US gal) of Fuel or 250 Service Hours or Yearly ... Hoses and Clamps - Inspect/Replace” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se |
| Crankcase breather clean | 250 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 9000 L (2400 US gal) of Fuel or 250 Service Hours or Yearly ... Engine Crankcase Breather - Clean” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se |
| Thermostat (water temperature regulator) replace | 1,000 hrs or 2 yrs | “Every 36 000 L (9000 US gal) of Fuel or 1000 Service Hours or 2 Years ... Cooling System Water Temperature Regulator - R” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se |
| Marine transmission oil cooler clean/inspect | 1,000 hrs or 2 yrs | “Every 36 000 L (9000 US gal) of Fuel or 1000 Service Hours or 2 Years ... Marine Transmission Oil Cooler - Clean/Inspect” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se |
| Crankshaft vibration damper inspect | 2,000 hrs | “Every 72 000 L (19 000 US gal) of Fuel or 2000 Service Hours ... Crankshaft Vibration Damper - Inspect” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se |
| Jacket water pump inspect | 3,000 hrs or 2 yrs | “Every 108 000 L (28 500 US gal) of Fuel or 3000 Service Hours or 2 Years ... Water Pump - Inspect” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se |
Service part numbers (4)
| Fuel filter | Caterpillar 1R-0750 | “| Fuel Filter | 1R0750 |” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au · “Fuel Filter for Caterpillar 3208 Natural and Turbo engines 1R0750 Advanced Efficiency” — dealer, dieselpro.com |
| Zinc / anode heat-exchanger anode (10 mm); 2 on the 4W-9164 heat exchanger, 3 on the 7C-3114 heat exchanger |
Caterpillar 6L-2283 | “| Anodes on 7C-3114 Heat Exchanger | 6L-2283 | [CM6L2283] x 3.” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au · “Zinc Anode for Caterpillar Marine Engines 6L2283 NPT: 1/4”” — dealer, dieselpro.com |
| Zinc / anode 16 mm anode, starboard bottom of bonnet, 4W-9164 heat exchanger only |
Caterpillar 6L-2289 | “Anodes on 4W-9164 Heat Exchanger | 6L-2283 6L-2289 ... [TEC 02023] x 1. Starboard Side, bottom of the bonnet. 16mm” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au · “Zinc Anode for Caterpillar Marine Engines 6L2289 NPT: 1/2”” — dealer, dieselpro.com |
| Zinc / anode transmission oil cooler anode (if the cooler has one) |
Caterpillar 6L-2288 | “| Anode - Transmission Oil Cooler (If present on cooler) | 6L-2288 |” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au · “Zinc Anode for Caterpillar Marine Engines 6L2288 NPT: 1/2”” — dealer, dieselpro.com |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
Sources disagree on horsepower — left blank rather than guessed.
Model sources (5)
hmy.com · commanderclub.com · commanderclub.com · commanderclub.com · commanderclub.com
Other Chris-Craft models
- Chris-Craft 381 Catalina 1980–1989
- Chris-Craft 410 Commander (41 Motor Yacht) 1972–1986
- Chris-Craft 425 / 426 / 427 Catalina 1985–1990
Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.