Zeston 36 PERFECT PILTOHOUSE CRUISER! HUGE UPGRADES!

Pandora is a 1989 Zeston 36, a proven Australian cruising yacht designed by renowned naval architect Joe Adams and built by respected Australian builder Northshore Yachts. Combining comfortable accommodation, practical cruising systems and dependable sailing performance, the Zeston 36 has earned a reputation as a capable and rewarding yacht for coastal cruising and extended liveaboard adventures.

Built in fibreglass with a balsa-cored deck and cast iron keel, Pandora offers a solid and stable platform with a beam of 3.5 metres and a moderate 1.6 metre draft. Measuring 10.97 metres overall and displacing approximately 6,350kg, she delivers the blend of comfort, seaworthiness and sailing performance sought by serious cruising sailors.

Importantly, Pandora has benefited from significant recent investment, including antifouling, topside polishing and anode replacement in May 2026, together with extensive upgrades throughout the vessel over the past several years.
Below decks, Pandora presents exceptionally comfortable accommodation for couples, families or cruising friends. Forward is a generous double V-berth cabin, while the saloon dinette converts to a second double berth. A single settee berth to starboard provides additional sleeping accommodation, giving a total of five berths across two cabins.

The saloon is warm and inviting, enhanced by a Webasto diesel heater for year-round comfort and new blockout curtains fitted in 2026.

The galley is exceptionally practical for extended cruising, featuring a near-new Force 10 gimballed two-burner stove with grill and thermostat-controlled oven, professionally installed with gas compliance certification in 2025. Complementing this is a large Isotherm refrigeration system, stainless steel sink, hot and cold pressure water, seawater supply, generous bench space and ample storage throughout.

A fully enclosed bathroom provides hot and cold shower facilities, while a new TMC electric toilet was fitted in 2026. With 300 litres of fresh water capacity and a 25-litre hot water system, Pandora is well equipped for comfortable cruising away from the marina.
The cockpit and deck layout have been configured with practical cruising in mind. Sail handling is assisted by self-tailing two-speed winches, a headsail furler and Hood in-boom furling mainsail system, making short-handed sailing straightforward and enjoyable.

A standout feature is the substantial sail inventory upgrade currently underway, including a brand-new mainsail and brand-new genoa ordered for 2026, representing significant value for the next owner. Standing rigging was replaced in 2017, with a new forestay and headsail furler fitted in 2023.

Ground tackle is managed via a reliable Maxwell HRC10 electric anchor winch, while new covers fitted in 2025 protect the mainsail, binnacle and liferaft.

For exploring once at anchor, Pandora comes complete with a 2.4 metre Hypalon rigid inflatable dinghy with aluminium hull, carried on Snap Davits mounted to the swim platform and powered by a Yamaha 3hp outboard.
Power is provided by a dependable 50hp four-cylinder Nanni diesel engine with approximately 2,402 hours. The vessel cruises comfortably at around 6 knots while consuming an economical 2 litres per hour from its generous 300-litre fuel capacity. Propulsion is via saildrive, with saildrive seals replaced in late 2025 and the seawater pump serviced in 2026.

Electrical systems have also seen recent upgrades, including new 2026 AGM house batteries totalling 440Ah capacity, supported by solar charging and 240V shore power throughout the vessel.

Navigation and communication equipment is comprehensive and includes a Lowrance chartplotter, Vesper AIS transceiver, Raymarine autopilot with cockpit and cabin control stations, Silva depth and log instruments, VHF radio and Codan HF radio.

Safety equipment is equally impressive, featuring a new four-person liferaft with integrated EPIRB, a separate new EPIRB, electronic flare, inflatable lifejackets, multiple bilge pumps and extensive fire protection equipment.
Pandora represents an outstanding opportunity to purchase a genuine cruising yacht that has already benefited from many of the upgrades typically faced by new owners. With new sails, recent batteries, updated safety gear, recent saildrive maintenance, modern navigation electronics and significant investment in comfort and onboard systems, much of the hard work has already been done.

Combining the respected Joe Adams design pedigree, quality Northshore Yachts construction and a practical cruising layout, Pandora is equally suited to weekend escapes, extended Tasmanian cruising or longer coastal adventures. She is a well-equipped, well-maintained yacht offering exceptional value and is ready to cast off and enjoy immediately.

Inspection is highly recommended.

Please contact Stuart Watson on Call Now or Jack Allison on Call Now

Derwent Boat Sales offers the information on this vessel including condition, in good faith as provided by the Owner/Vendor. While confident about the accuracy we cannot Guarantee or Warrant it but will assist any prospective purchaser verify this as part of the purchase process.