Design and Construction
Archambault built the A 35 with a vacuum-infused PVC foam sandwich hull and vinylester resin. The deck was made using resin transfer molding, a step forward from the balsa-cored decks of the yard’s earlier Grand Surprise generation.
The hull carries its broad beam aft, creating a roomy cockpit and space for a berth cabin beneath it. By contrast, the bow remains quite narrow. This deliberate trade-off keeps the entry fine and leaves the V-berth in a compartment separated from the saloon by an arch bulkhead and a privacy curtain.
Clamshell-shaped deadlights in the cabin trunk bring plenty of light into an airy cabin finished in bright white gelcoat. An open transom further emphasizes the boat’s performance focus.
Rig and Handling
The A 35 has a fractional sloop rig, a carbon mast, and tiller steering rather than a wheel. Cruising World cited the carbon mast and tiller as dispelling any lingering doubts about the boat’s intent the moment one sees it sailing heeled on the edge.
An optional sprit allows the crew to fly an asymmetric spinnaker for more downwind pace without using a conventional pole setup. The fin keel draws 6 feet 9 inches and carries 4,387 pounds of lead ballast—roughly 45 percent of the boat’s 9,811-pound displacement. The keel and ballast give the A 35 a stability profile suited to the IRC rule for which it was designed.
Accommodations
Belowdecks, the A 35 uses a simple glass-module interior with doorless galley cabinets and minimal joinerwork. This approach keeps weight down and simplifies maintenance, though it’s pragmatic rather than luxurious.
The narrow bow contains a compact V-berth, separated from the saloon by the arch bulkhead and curtain. Aft, the hull’s greater width provides room for the berth cabin beneath the cockpit. Clamshell deadlights brighten the white-gelcoat interior, and a built-in fridge adds comfort for the crew on warmer sails.
Verdict
The A 35 is a purpose-built IRC-era performer that doesn’t pretend to be a traditional cruiser. Its vacuum-infused sandwich construction, carbon mast, and tiller steering suit sailors who value lightness and response. The broad aft sections provide useful space in both the cockpit and the aft cabin.
That emphasis comes with clear trade-offs. The narrow bow makes the forecabin compact, while the sparse joinerwork and doorless galley cabinets put performance and practicality ahead of cruising comfort. The A 35 is best understood as a fast, modern weekender-racer with genuine belowdecks livability aft.
Pros
- Vacuum-infused PVC foam sandwich hull with vinylester resin, combining low weight with modern construction
- Carbon mast and tiller steering provide direct, race-oriented control
- Beam carried aft creates a generous cockpit and a full-berth cabin below
- Airy white-gelcoat cabin with clamshell deadlights and a built-in fridge
Cons
- Narrow bow limits forecabin size and V-berth privacy
- Minimal joinerwork and doorless galley cabinets favor performance over cruising comfort
- Open transom and tiller configuration won’t suit every cruiser
