Design and Construction
Perry's 35-foot hull carries a length-to-beam ratio of 3.04 against an 11.67-foot beam, which period observers noted was slightly wider than average for its day anchor. The hull is solid fiberglass, the keel a fixed fin carrying 3,500 pounds of lead ballast for a 35 percent ballast ratio, and the rudder an internally mounted spade. A displacement-length ratio of 234 marks the boat among moderate racers rather than heavy voyagers, while a capsize screening value of 2.17 means it would not be accepted to participate in ocean races anchor. The reverse transom does not alter any other dimension, so the 35 keeps the 33's 26.75-foot waterline, identical sail plan, and shared interior footprint.
Rig and Handling
The Mirage 35 is a masthead sloop carrying 468 square feet of main-and-jib area, and its sail-area-to-displacement ratio runs 16.1 on the ISO reference sail, rising to 19.4 with a 135 percent genoa. That is a powerful rig for the size: the design carries more rig than 93 percent of all similar sailboats anchor. Standing and running rigging dimensions are generous for a 35-footer — halyards run 28.4 meters at half-inch diameter, sheets 10.8 to 27.1 meters at 14 millimeters — which speaks to a rig sized for offshore-style loads even if the capsize screen argues against bluewater racing. On the racecourse the boat carries a PHRF average of 150 with a spread from 144 to 156. The theoretical hull speed is 6.9 knots, and an immersion rate of about 1,088 pounds per inch gives a clear sense of how load-sensitive the five-foot draft is in marina approaches.
Accommodations
The shared 33/35 hull delivers a roomy cabin with standing headroom of 6 foot 5 inches, and testers noted the 35 footer was supposed to have been built with a slightly nicer interior than its predecessor anchor. Because the waterline, beam, draft, and layout are identical between the two models, the accommodation volume is effectively the 33's proven plan with modest trim upgrades. The 151-liter fresh water tank and 76-liter diesel tank support coastal cruising without claiming long-range autonomy.
Power and Specifications
A single Volvo Penta diesel of around 21 horsepower drives the boat, with the 20-gallon fuel capacity noted in the record. The motion comfort ratio of 19.8 and a wetted surface near 333 square feet round out the picture of a moderate-displacement hull that heels and recovers in a predictable coastal pattern rather than a heavy ocean passagemaker.
The Verdict
The Mirage 35 is a thoughtfully evolved Perry design that takes a proven 33-foot cruiser-racer and stretches it with a reverse transom and a slightly dressed-up interior while leaving the capable rig, beamy layout, and lead-fin performance intact. It is a club-racer-friendly coastal boat with a powerful masthead rig and a comfortable cabin, but its capsize screen and moderate displacement argue against treating it as an ocean racer or long-range voyager.
Pros
- Developed from the proven Mirage 33 with identical waterline, beam, sail area, and interior footprint
- Powerful masthead rig exceeding 93 percent of comparable sailboats
- Beamy, headroom-generous interior with a slightly upgraded finish over the 33
- Lead fin keel and spade rudder in a solid fiberglass hull
Cons
- Capsize screening value of 2.17 excludes it from ocean racing
- Moderate displacement-length ratio limits it to coastal and club-racing use
- Five-foot draft is load-sensitive, shifting within a few inches as ballast changes
