Design and Construction
The Endeavour 35 measures 35 feet 5 inches overall, with a 29 foot 6 inch waterline and a 12 foot 2 inch beam. She displaces 13,250 pounds and carries 5,630 pounds of internal lead ballast, for a ballast ratio of nearly 42.5 percent.
Kelley’s hull is a single molded unit of polyester resin, fiberglass, and closed-cell polyvinyl foam core. The fin keel is molded integrally with the hull. Its lead ballast consists of cast pieces encapsulated in bonding resin and capped with woven roving, making the ballast a structural part of the hull.
The deck and cockpit form another single molded assembly, built from polyester, woven roving, and multidirectional chopped-strand fiber. Closed-cell polyvinyl and plywood coring reinforce the cabin top, deck, seats, and cockpit sole.
Endeavour joined the hull and deck at an integral flange coated with adhesive sealant and through-bolted with stainless steel. A teak cap, bedded in the same compound, finishes the joint and provides a doubly watertight seal.
The rudder has a solid, high-density foam blade. Its stainless steel post is welded to an internal steel plate and sealed at the hull by a stuffing box, the sole documented below-waterline penetration apart from the hull-deck joint.
Rig and Handling
The Endeavour 35 is a masthead sloop. Her Kenyon double-spreader aluminum mast passes through the cabin roof and steps on the keel. Stainless steel wire standing rigging leads to chainplates through-bolted to structural bulkheads.
The sail plan totals 671.5 square feet, giving an SA/D ratio of 19.19. That provides usable power, although one editorial review found that she carries more rig than 86 percent of comparable sailboats and described her as overcanvased for her size.
Pedestal steering operates a radial quadrant through stainless steel cables. The fin keel and skeg-hung rudder keep her predictable in a marina, while her draft of just under five feet remains manageable.
Her capsize screening value is 2.06, which means she wouldn’t qualify for ocean racing under that metric. A motion comfort score of 23.28, however, suggests a settled ride in a chop.
Accommodations and Tankage
The standard interior sleeps six and carries headroom throughout. The boat has capacity for 33 gallons of diesel, 76 gallons of hot and cold water, and a 15-gallon holding tank.
A waterline-to-beam proportion of 2.42 contributes to a roomy main saloon for a boat of this length. The six-berth total implies a forward double or V-berth, convertible settees, and an aft-cabin option within the 35-foot envelope.
No source details the specific joinery or galley footprint. Even so, the berth count and tankage describe a boat equipped for week-long coastal cruising rather than bare weekend racing.
Known Issues and Survey Points
The record shows no structural defects, osmotic blistering, or rigging failures specific to the class. The main cautions arise from the construction details.
As with any cored deck, the cabin top, seats, and cockpit sole should be checked for soft areas where fasteners or leaks may 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 inspected for weepage.
The internal lead ballast and structural keel mean that grounding damage transfers directly into the hull matrix. Any survey should therefore include soundings around the keel-hull junction.
Refits and Ownership
Owners taking on an Endeavour 35 should expect period-correct Kenyon spars and a direct-drive diesel in the stated horsepower class. With roughly 300 boats built before production ended in 1987, the straightforward wire rigging is inexpensive to renew.
The Verdict
The Endeavour 35 is a thoughtfully engineered coastal cruiser. Her internally ballasted fin keel and cored deck provide stiffness without excessive weight. She is well mannered, moderately quick, and accommodating for a family, although she carries more canvas than her hull form might suggest.
Pros
- Structurally integrated lead ballast adds hull stiffness
- Watertight flanged hull-deck joint with a bedded teak cap
- Roomy six-berth layout and generous tankage for her size
Cons
- Overrigged relative to similar 35-foot sloops
- Capsize screening value excludes her from ocean racing under that metric
- Cored deck areas require vigilant inspection for leaks
