Bristol 35 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

The Bristol 35, introduced in 1966, represents a pivotal era in the evolution of American fiberglass boatbuilding. Designed by the esteemed firm of John G. Alden—specifically by Niels Helleberg—the Bristol 35 was intended to bridge the gap between the traditional full-keel designs of the early 1960s and the more performance-oriented cruiser-racers that would follow. While often overshadowed in contemporary listings by its younger sibling, the Ted Hood-designed 35.5, the original Bristol 35 (often referred to as the "Alden 35") remains a quintessential example of the "Classic Plastic" movement. It features the signature long overhangs, a graceful sheer line, and a narrow beam characteristic of the CCA (Cruising Club of America) rating rule era. Built with the robust, arguably "overbuilt" scantlings that defined Clinton Pearson’s Rhode Island yard, the 35 was offered in both a fixed deep-keel configuration and a versatile keel-centerboard version to accommodate the thin waters of the Chesapeake and Bahamas.