Ganbare 35 Information, Review, Specs

The genesis of the Ganbare 35 traces back to the ambition of a young Doug Peterson. At just 28 years old, Peterson sought to establish himself as a prominent yacht designer and took a calculated gamble by designing a One Tonner, also named Ganbare, with the explicit goal of qualifying for the prestigious 1973 One Ton Cup. The production version, launched in 1973, carried forward the lineage of this successful racing yacht, translating its performance-oriented hull form into a capable cruiser.

Cooper Enterprises Inc., under the leadership of Forbes Cooper, played a pivotal role in the production of the Ganbare 35. Founded in 1970, Cooper's company was instrumental in pioneering British Columbia's yacht building industry, initially producing licensed American sailboat designs before diversifying its own lines. The company was known for its commitment to producing well-regarded vessels and superior craftsmanship, an ethos that underpinned the construction of boats like the Ganbare 35. A total of 35 Ganbare 35 units were built, featuring solid fiberglass hull and balsa-cored fiberglass deck construction, indicative of the era's robust building practices.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Ganbare 35's design, rooted in IOR racing, translates into a yacht with commendable sailing characteristics. With a sail area to displacement ratio of approximately 17.19, she possesses a respectable amount of canvas for her displacement, suggesting good performance in lighter air conditions. The boat's high ballast to displacement ratio, around 49.24%, indicates a stiff and stable platform, capable of standing up to a good breeze and providing a reassuring motion in a seaway.

Her displacement to length ratio of approximately 254.4 places the Ganbare 35 firmly in the moderate displacement category. This balance allows for a comfortable ride, while retaining the "fun to sail" characteristics derived from its racing pedigree. Owners frequently describe the Ganbare 35 as feeling like a much larger boat, both on deck and below, an impression bolstered by its robust construction and stable handling. This combination of stability, good light-air performance, and responsive handling makes the Ganbare 35 a versatile performer for serious cruising and coastal sailing.

Accommodations and Layout

While specific detailed diagrams are scarce, the interior of the Ganbare 35 is generally well-regarded, with one owner describing it as "nice, real good". Given its 35-foot length and moderate displacement, the Ganbare 35 typically features a layout designed for comfortable cruising. One can expect a conventional arrangement for a vessel of its size and era, likely including a V-berth forward, a main salon with settees and a table, a galley, and a navigation station. The internal volume, coupled with its length, contributes to the perception that the boat feels larger than its specifications suggest. The boat is equipped with a water capacity of 24.0 gallons, supporting extended periods aboard.