Design and the Swing Wing System
The defining characteristic of the Dragonfly 35 is its folding ama system. The Swing Wing allows the floats to hinge inward until the beam narrows from a full sailing width of 8.20 metres to just 3.85 metres — a transformation accomplished by an electrical winch in around fifty seconds, without tools. When folded, the resulting package measures roughly 41 feet long by 13 feet wide, fitting conventional marina slips and dramatically lowering berthing costs that would otherwise penalise a full-beam trimaran. The floats are high-volume structures that do more than provide lateral buoyancy: they offer stowage for extra sails, folding bikes, and even a full-size kayak or surfboard, making the 35 unusually practical as a liveaboard expedition platform. The 30 hp Volvo Penta inboard diesel is housed in a separate aft compartment so the drivetrain clears the keel area entirely, allowing the boat to be beached or dried out without risk to the folding propeller.
Rig, Variants, and Performance
The 35 is offered in two distinct rig configurations that share the same hull. The Touring version is tuned for fast cruising with a manageable sail plan, while the Ultimate steps up to 1,100 square feet of sail — an area that makes it more challenging and demands earlier reefing, and that will test both nerves and sailing skills. Cruising World's reviewer summarised the split accurately: cruising sailors will be content with the Touring, but those seeking a rush will want the Ultimate. Multihulls World's on-water test captured the sensation more vividly, noting that bearing away at 17 knots is the kind of enjoyment only a trimaran can give. The capsize ratio of 5.25 and a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 34.42 underline that this is a thoroughbred performer in either guise, not a sedate coastal cruiser with an extra hull tacked on.
Cockpit and Deck Layout
All sheets and halyards are led to the cockpit, which the manufacturer describes as very spacious and standard-fitted with wheel steering. A GRP aft rail behind the helm gives the helmsman an unusually comfortable brace point, and all functions are accessible from a single position — an arrangement that makes single-handed sailing genuinely achievable rather than merely theoretical. Optional electrical winches, a windlass, and a bow thruster are available, further reducing the physical demands of handling the boat. The cockpit layout reflects a considered approach: a trimaran with 26 feet 11 inches of beam needs sail control that does not require crew stationed on distant amas.
Accommodation
Below decks the Dragonfly 35 punches well above its length. Standing headroom is a genuine 1.94 metres throughout the main cabin, and the boat sleeps seven in the standard arrangement. The layout moves forward from a fully enclosed V-berth cabin with lockers and standing space, through a full-width toilet compartment with shower and hanging lockers, into a main saloon whose galley features a double-burner stove, oven, and integrated cool box. The saloon table seats eight for dinner, and the elevated seating position gives an outlook through the cabin windows that Cruising World likened to a raised saloon on a monohull. An aft double cabin beneath the cockpit floor measures 2 metres by 1.5 metres and provides sufficient headroom to sit up comfortably. A separate chart table large enough to serve as a working home office rounds out a surprisingly domestic interior for a 35-foot trimaran weighing under 9,000 pounds.
Known Limitations
The two-variant rig strategy creates a genuine trade-off. The Ultimate's enlarged sail plan introduces a more demanding and challenging sailing experience that needs earlier reefing — a characteristic that suits experienced multihull sailors but may frustrate owners who expected spirited performance without the associated vigilance. The folded beam of 3.85 metres, while dramatically reduced, still exceeds most narrow marina berth allowances, and the folded length of approximately 41 feet means the boat is not compact when stowed. Fuel and water tankage — 21 and 37 gallons respectively — is modest for an offshore cruiser, a consequence of the trimaran architecture prioritising weight and volume in the floats for performance rather than tankage in the main hull.
Refits and Upgrades
The electrical infrastructure is the most common upgrade path. The manufacturer offers electrical winches, windlass, and bow thruster as factory options, and owners fitting these retrospectively will find the cockpit lead arrangements already designed to accommodate them. The float storage volumes are genuinely useful: full-size kayaks and surfboards with one-piece masts can be stowed in the aft float compartment, giving owners a clear upgrade path toward a more self-sufficient offshore cruising platform without structural modification. The Classic interior option — a convertible dinette seating eight that folds to sleeping berths — is worth specifying for buyers who prioritise socialising at anchor over dedicated bunk assignments.
The Verdict
The Dragonfly 35 is one of the few production trimarans that can be recommended to an experienced monohull sailor without caveat. The Swing Wing system removes the marina-access penalty that makes most performance multihulls impractical, and the accommodation — standing headroom, seven berths, a full galley, and a proper aft double cabin — is genuinely liveable rather than merely adequate. The Touring rig is a sailor's boat; the Ultimate is a specialist tool. Choose accordingly.
Pros
- Swing Wing folding narrows beam to 3.85 m in under a minute without tools
- Two rig options let buyers match performance to experience level
- Full 1.94 m standing headroom and seven-berth accommodation rare at this length and weight
- Spacious float volumes double as stowage for bulky gear
- Single-handed-friendly cockpit with all lines led aft
- Beachable and can be dried out safely due to offset engine compartment
Cons
- Ultimate rig demands early reefing discipline and active crew vigilance
- Folded package still measures 41 feet long, limiting slip options
- Modest 21-gallon fuel and 37-gallon water capacity for extended offshore passages
- High float volume prioritises performance over tankage in the main hull
