Horizon Motorsailers 36 Meridian

Meridian is a rare opportunity to own a beautifully built Tasmanian motor sailer with genuine cruising pedigree. Launched in 1969 and constructed from Huon and King Billy Pine by respected builder Barry Wilson (Horizon MotorSailers), she carries the charm and integrity of traditional craftsmanship paired with decades of proven coastal cruising. After 30 years exploring the east coast from Sydney, she returned home to Tasmania in 2002, where she has since been extensively refurbished and enjoyed on voyages from Wineglass Bay to Port Davey.

Her full-length keel, lead ballast, and robust construction give her the steady, confidence-inspiring motion that motor sailers are loved for. On deck, Meridian offers a generous semi-enclosed cockpit with laid teak, excellent freeboard, and the kind of sheltered space that makes year-round Tasmanian cruising a pleasure.

The Ford Lees 75 hp diesel (approx. 2,800 hours) delivers reliable, economical performance at 3-4 L/hr, with a cruising speed of 6.5 knots and a top speed of 8. Her rig is simple and dependable, with a deck-stepped Oregon mast, lazy-jack-equipped mainsail and furling headsail.

Below, she is warm, inviting, and surprisingly spacious. Three steps down from the cockpit, the galley sits to port opposite a convertible dinette and settee, offering flexible sleeping arrangements in addition to the forward double cabin. Large windows and hatches create a bright, airy interior, complemented by the Eberspacher diesel heater for cooler months.

A proper bathroom with hot-and-cold shower, a large eutectic fridge/freezer, SMEV stove and oven, and ample storage make extended cruising comfortable and practical. Opportunities like this don't linger.