Produced from 2014 through 2016, the Oceanis 35 is a beamy, hard-chined member of the Oceanis line. Beneteau offered it in Daysailer, Weekender, and Cruiser forms, each taking a different approach to the arrangement belowdecks.
Design and Construction
The hull is solid fiberglass set in polyester resin. The injection-molded deck has a Saerfoam core and is screwed and bonded to the hull.
On these open-plan boats, much of the interior support comes from a large, solid-laminate structural hull liner bonded in place. This construction method allows Beneteau to remove conventional bulkheads without sacrificing stiffness.
Ballast is iron, and three appendage configurations were available: a deep T-shaped keel, a shoal-draft L-shaped keel, or a centerboard housed in a keel trunk below the hull. Draft ranges from 3ft 9in with the centerboard to 6ft 1in with the deep keel.
The chine isn’t merely a styling feature. Beneteau describes the hull as good and taut aft and low on the water, and credits the chine with particularly surprising cruising comfort.
Rig, Sailing Performance, and Handling
The 9/10ths Sparcraft fractional rig carries a modest overlapping jib. The mainsail sheets forward to a cockpit arch through a bridle rather than a traveler, keeping the companionway clear.
All control lines run aft to two banks of Spinlock clutches beside the companionway, serviced by a pair of Harken winches. Only the jib sheets continue to the Harken winches on the coamings beside the helms. Forward, a beefy bowsprit and anchor roller provide for a Code Zero or asymmetric spinnaker.
Twin rudders on stainless stocks give the boat a wide steering groove. Test sailors found the helm extremely stable, thanks to those twin rudders. The pronounced hull chine also provided excellent form stability, with moderate heel even in robust conditions.
During testing in light-to-mid breezes on Chesapeake Bay, the shoal-keel boat carried an Elvström in-mast furling mainsail and an Elvström jib on a Facnor furler. It reached 7 knots on a close reach in 15–20 knots of true wind, with gusts to 35. Closehauled at a 40-degree apparent-wind angle, it held 6.8 knots; on a broad reach under working sails, it made 5.4 knots.
With the optional 30hp Yanmar and a fixed propeller, the test boat motored at 7 knots against 18 knots of breeze at 3,800 rpm. It also turned within a single boatlength.
Accommodations and Modular Layouts
Five layout plans were available across the Daysailer, Weekender, and Cruiser designations.
The Daysailer is a floating loft: open in every respect, with a comfortable companionway leading into a single space without a bulkhead. The Weekender and Cruiser versions came with either two or three cabins. In the Cruiser, the fore-cabin partition can be removed, while removable forward bulkheads are available across all four Weekender and Cruiser plans.
The loft-style saloon places the chart table facing the gently sloping, 45-degree companionway. An open fore cabin in the same loft style sleeps two, while large aft cabins increase total capacity to four or six. Owners can add modular furniture during the boat’s service life.
Stowage is generous. There’s a large stern locker reached from the cockpit and a hanging locker; test boats also had two large lazarettes aft. A fixed cockpit table with folding leaves gave testers a useful place to brace themselves.
Cockpit, Deck, and Equipment
Twin helm stations and a fold-down transom define the cockpit. Fold-up helm seats on both sides swing clear to provide access to the swim platform. The boat could be ordered with or without the aft swim platform, although Beneteau highlights a huge platform as one of its features. Slatted wooden helmsman’s seats were optional.
The standard B&G Electronics Pack supports the twin steering stations. CE Certification A6/B8/C10 confirms the offshore rating.
Verdict
The Oceanis 35 succeeds as a flexible coastal and offshore cruiser. Its open layouts and modular interiors depart from the bulkhead-heavy arrangements common to more traditional small cruisers.
Twin rudders and a chined hull give the boat genuine composure in a breeze, while the aft-led control lines make short-handed sailing plausible from the twin helms. Three keel configurations and three approaches to the interior allow buyers to match the boat to their intended use. However, the open arrangements—particularly the Daysailer—won’t suit sailors who want private, enclosed cabins.
Pros
- Beam, chined hull, and twin rudders provide stability and a steady helm
- Five modular layouts across three designations
- Aft-led control lines and the cockpit-arch bridle simplify sail handling
- Keel choices range from a 3ft 9in centerboard configuration to a 6ft 1in deep keel
Cons
- The Daysailer’s open-plan interior sacrifices private, enclosed cabins
- The injection-molded, Saerfoam-cored deck is bonded and screwed rather than traditionally laid up
