Design and Construction
Kelley's hull is a single molded unit of polyester resin, fiberglass, and closed-cell polyvinyl foam core, with the fin keel molded integrally so that the lead ballast—cast pieces encapsulated in bonding resin and capped with woven roving—becomes a structural part of the hull itself molded integrally with the hull. The deck and cockpit are likewise a single molded assembly of polyester, woven roving, and multi-directional chopped strand fiber, with closed-cell polyvinyl and plywood coring in the cabin top, deck, seats, and cockpit sole. Endeavour joined the two with an integral flange coated in adhesive-sealant, thru-bolted with stainless steel, and finished with a teak cap bedded in the same compound for a doubly watertight seal. The rudder is a solid high-density foam blade with a stainless steel post welded to an internal steel plate, sealed at the hull by a stuffing box.
Rig and Handling
The 35 is a masthead sloop whose Kenyon double-spreader aluminum mast steps through the cabin roof onto the keel, with stainless steel wire standing rigging anchored to chainplates through-bolted to structural bulkheads. A 671.5 square foot sail plan on a 19.19 SA/D ratio gives her usable power, though one editorial review found she carries more rig than 86 percent of comparable sailboats and reads as overcanvased for her size. Pedestal steering drives a radial quadrant via stainless cables, and the fin keel with skeg-hung rudder keeps her predictable in a marina draft of just under five feet. Her capsize screening value of 2.06 means she would not qualify for ocean racing under that metric, but the 23.28 motion comfort score suggests a settled ride in a chop.
Accommodations
Below, the standard layout sleeps six across berths with headroom carried throughout, serviced by 33 gallons of diesel, 76 gallons of hot and cold water, and a 15-gallon holding tank. The beamy 2.42 waterline-to-beam proportion translates to a roomy main saloon for the length, and the six-berth count implies a forward double or V-berth, settee conversions, and an aft cabin option within the 35-foot envelope. No source details the specific joinery or galley footprint, but the tankage and berth figures describe a boat equipped for week-long coastal cruising rather than bare weekend racing.
Known Issues
The record shows no structural defects, osmotic blistering, or rigging failures specific to the class. The only cautions implicit in the construction details are the usual ones for cored decks: the cabin top, seat, and cockpit sole coring demand scrutiny for softness where fasteners or leaks have breached the gelcoat. The rudder post stuffing box is the sole documented below-waterline penetration apart from the hull-deck joint, and its seal should be checked for weepage.
Refits and Ownership
Owners taking on a 35 should expect period-correct Kenyon spars and a direct-drive diesel in the stated horsepower class. The internal lead ballast and structural keel mean grounding damage transmits straight into the hull matrix, so any survey must include keel-hull junction soundings. With about 300 built and production ending in 1987, the simple wire rigging is inexpensive to renew.
The Verdict
The Endeavour 35 is a thoughtfully engineered coastal cruiser whose internally ballasted fin keel and cored deck give stiffness without excess weight. She is well mannered, moderately quick, and accommodating for a family, if over-canvased for her hull form.
Pros
- Structurally integrated lead ballast adds hull stiffness
- Watertight flange hull-deck joint with bedded teak cap
- Roomy six-berth layout with generous tankage for the size
Cons
- Overrigged relative to similar 35-foot sloops
- Capsize screening value excludes her from ocean racing
- Cored deck areas require vigilant leak inspection
