Both versions have a 28-foot 9-inch waterline, an 11-foot 3-inch beam, and roughly 11,500 pounds of displacement.
Design and Construction
The hull is a solid laminate of fiberglass and plastic resin. Inside, a fiberglass liner forms the lockers, seats, and berths as a single molded structure rather than framed joinery. The decks have a balsa wood core, a construction method the period review notes was common on boats built after 1970.
The keel is cast iron, with two draft options. The deep-draft keel draws 5 feet 7 inches, while the shoal-draft keel draws 4 feet 3 inches. Both versions use the same spade rudder. On the shoal-draft model, the rudder reaches almost exactly as deep as the bottom of the keel, leaving it quite vulnerable to grounding damage.
Rig and Handling
The numbers point to a moderate-performance coastal cruiser rather than a thoroughbred. The displacement/length ratio is 216, and the sail area/displacement ratio is 16.45. Short overhangs provide a reasonably long sailing length, while the deep-draft keel is a moderate-aspect fin intended to deliver good windward performance. A large rudder provides good control.
The shoal-draft version gives access to shallower water, but it trades away some of that security because the rudder is exposed almost level with the keel’s lowest point.
Accommodations
The interior begins with a forward V-berth cabin, followed by a head to port and hanging lockers to starboard. In the main saloon, port and starboard settees flank a centerline drop-leaf table. Farther aft, the starboard side contains a quarter berth and navigation station, while a U-shaped galley occupies the port side.
Machinery and Systems
Auxiliary power came from a three-cylinder, 21-horsepower, fresh-water-cooled Universal Marine diesel. It’s installed beneath the bridge deck, with good access from all sides. The fuel tank and water heater sit aft of the engine.
That location and all-around access make routine servicing straightforward compared with many midsize cruisers of the era.
Known Issues
Aside from occasional osmotic blistering on the bottom, the review found few significant structural problems. The cast-iron keel is a more consistent concern. Most examples show rather poor preparation and preservation of the metal, and rust scaling is common unless an owner has taken the time to prepare and preserve the surface properly.
The shoal-draft rudder’s vulnerability to grounding is the other documented weak point.
The Verdict
The O’Day 35 is a pragmatic Hunt-designed coastal cruiser with a roomy, three-cabin-style interior and a standard diesel that’s easy to access. Later hulls also have a molded-in swim platform. A survey should pay particular attention to the cast-iron keel’s finish and, on shoal-draft boats, the rudder’s exposure.
Pros
- Solid fiberglass hull and molded interior liner provide structural simplicity
- Good all-around engine access beneath the bridge deck
- Large rudder and moderate-aspect fin keel support controlled handling
- Forward V-berth, U-shaped galley, and navigation station
Cons
- Cast-iron keel commonly shows poor preservation and rust scaling
- Shoal-draft rudder is nearly as deep as the keel and easily damaged by grounding
- Occasional osmotic blistering on the bottom
