Caliber 35 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the brokerage market for a Caliber 35 means choosing within a single-designer lineage from Caliber Yachts, a marque whose every model came from Michael McCreary's board and whose 35 entered production in 1992 as the stretched, better-balanced successor to the angular Caliber 33. These are boats that have held their value, and the used fleet splits between standard early models and the long-range 35LRC variant with its far larger tankage. A buyer's first task is simply to know which one is on the dock.
Layouts on the Used Market
The Caliber 35 grew its hull to 34 feet with a sloped transom and integral boarding step, reaching 36 feet 6 inches overall with bowsprit, and the waterline gained four inches from 700 pounds of added ballast over the 33. Inside, accommodations read as plentiful against a 33-foot benchmark but a little tight for a true 35-footer, so couples cruising coasts will feel comfortable while those wanting expansive modern volume will not. The key layout distinction is fuel: early standard boats carried 26 gallons, whereas the 35LRC boasted a 120-gallon capacity for extended voyaging, and that difference defines how each used boat was equipped and sailed.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the typical used Caliber 35, canvas and helm comfort are commonly fitted through a bimini and dodger, while an autopilot and chartplotter are usual navigational fittings and a furling main is a common sail-handling upgrade. Beyond those, the boat's own specification anchors the essentials: a Yanmar 3GM diesel provides auxiliary power with reasonable access through the port seat locker and companionway steps, and the cutter rig with conservative sail area suits the hefty ballast. A buyer should verify whether the listed boat is a standard 26-gallon model or an LRC before weighing range against equipment.
What to Inspect
The one documented defect in the family tree sits with early Caliber 33 bowsprits that failed under heavy load, a problem later corrected with a beefed-up structure. Although the 35 followed that fix, any bowsprit should be checked for prior stress or repair. Structurally, the solid fiberglass hull, plywood-cored deck, and bolted toe-rail joint with square-seated carriage bolts are sound points to confirm visually, and the absence of molded liners means bulkhead bonding should be examined for any delamination at the glassed joints.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Caliber 35 boats are typically found in the United States, where the marque's brokerage heritage and steady resale have kept them in circulation. For a buyer, the short checklist is: confirm standard versus LRC fuel capacity, inspect the bowsprit and bulkhead bonding, verify the Yanmar 3GM and its access, and decide whether the snug-but-honest accommodations fit your cruising plan.
- Identify standard 26-gallon or 35LRC 120-gallon tankage before negotiating
- Check bowsprit for earlier heavy-load failure repairs
- Examine hand-laid bulkhead bonds for separation
- Confirm Yanmar 3GM service access via seat locker and steps
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Caliber 35. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 7 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 25 | 1 | $59,900 | — |
| Jul 25 | 1 | $70,000 | +16.9% |
| Sep 25 | 2 | $64,950 | -7.2% |
| Jun 26 | 2 | $54,900 | -15.5% |
| Aug 26 | 1 | $112,500 | +104.9% |
| Sep 26 | 2 | $64,200 | -42.9% |
| Oct 26 | 3 | $49,900 | -22.3% |
Where they're listed
Caliber 35 listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 8.
Country view
8 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $52,400 | 8 | 6 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
11 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island Packet 35 | 35.33' | $ 74,900 | 72 | 32 |
| Pacific Seacraft 37 | 36.92' | $ 135,000 | 55 | 13 |
| Tradewind 35 | 35.01' | $ 79,490 | 17 | 5 |
| Niagara 35 | 35.08' | $ 25,185 | 15 | 5 |
| Hinterhoeller Niagara 35 | 35' | $ 20,000 | 13 | 2 |
| Nordship 35 | 34.45' | $ 133,205 | 11 | 2 |
| Nicholson Nicholson 35 | 35.25' | $ 38,137 | 10 | 1 |
| Caliber 35You are here | — | $ 52,400 | 8 | 6 |
| Camper & Nicholsons 35-2 | 35.25' | $ 40,753 | 8 | 2 |
| Bristol 35 | 34.65' | $ 18,600 | 6 | 1 |
| Saga 35 | 36.5' | $ 128,500 | 6 | 1 |