PUMA 350 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Puma 350 inherits much of its DNA from the Holman & Pye-designed Puma 34, a pedigree that ensures predictable, stiff performance, especially when beating into a breeze. With a high ballast-to-displacement ratio, the 350 is widely regarded as a "sea-kindly" vessel that tracks well and resists the skittish behavior often found in lighter, modern production boats. Its underwater profile typically features a deep fin keel and a spade rudder, a combination that provides a surprisingly tight turning radius in tight marinas while maintaining enough grip to minimize leeway on a close haul.

While it lacks the sheer speed of modern light-displacement racers, the Puma 350 excels in "heavy air" cruising. Owners often report that the boat feels "planted" in 20-25 knots of wind, where its narrow-entry bow slices through chop rather than slamming over it. The sail plan is traditionally masthead-rigged, requiring a powerful genoa to generate drive in light air. Because the hull was evolved from an IOR lineage, the 350 can exhibit some rhythmic rolling when sailing dead downwind in a following sea—a common trait of its era—but this is generally managed through proactive sail trimming and the use of a pole.

Interior Comfort & Variations

Unlike the earlier Puma 341, which was often stripped for racing efficiency, the Puma 350 was conceived with the cruising family in mind. The interior is characterized by an abundance of warm teak joinery, a signature of the DRESPORT shipyard. The layout is a classic Mediterranean arrangement: a V-berth forward, a central salon with a folding leaf table, and a dedicated navigation station to starboard. The 350’s primary upgrade over its "sibling" hulls was the refinement of the aft section; while the original Puma 34 often utilized pilot berths or narrow quarter berths, the 350 maximized the available beam to provide a more usable aft cabin area and an improved galley footprint.

Headroom is generous for a vessel of this vintage, typically exceeding six feet in the main salon. Ventilation was also a focus for the 350, with more opening hatches than the earlier, sleeker racing variants. Variations of the 350 are rare, as the model had a relatively short production run before the industry shifted toward the wider-stern designs of the late 80s, but some hulls may be found with varying engine configurations, as owners frequently replaced the original Spanish-built Solé Diesel units with more modern Volvo Penta or Yanmar engines.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers of a Puma 350 should focus their inspection on the structural longevity of the hull and the condition of the original Spanish hardware.

• Osmosis and Hull Integrity: Like many fiberglass boats built in the Mediterranean during this era, Puma yachts are susceptible to osmotic blistering if they have not been treated with an epoxy barrier coat. A thorough moisture meter test of the hull is essential.
• Chainplate Anchors: The stainless steel chainplates are robust, but the points where they penetrate the deck are common sites for water ingress. Over time, this can lead to saturation of the plywood deck core or corrosion of the internal mounting bolts.
• Rudder Bearings: The spade rudder design puts significant stress on the upper and lower bearings. Buyers should check for excessive play in the steering system, which often indicates that the bushings require replacement.
• Original Solé Diesel Engines: Many 350s were delivered with Solé Diesel engines (often based on Mitsubishi blocks). While these are reliable, parts for the older marine conversions can be harder to source outside of Spain. Check for signs of exhaust elbow corrosion and heat exchanger scaling.

Community & Resources

The primary hub for technical knowledge regarding this model is the Asociación de Propietarios de Puma (Pumistas). This active Spanish-speaking community maintains extensive archives of original blueprints, sail plans, and restoration logs. While there is no longer a factory-backed parts department, the "Pumistas" network provides a vital lifeline for sourcing period-correct hardware and advice on structural repairs specific to the Nao-Glass and DRESPORT builds.

The Verdict

The Puma 350 is an excellent choice for the sailor who values traditional aesthetics and heavy-weather capability over the voluminous interiors of modern "caravan" style cruisers. It remains one of the most respected Spanish yachts of the 20th century.

Pros:

• Exceptional build quality with thick, hand-laid fiberglass.
• Balanced and predictable handling in heavy weather.
• Classic, high-quality teak interior that ages better than modern veneers.
• Strong secondary market value and a dedicated owner community.

Cons:

• Narrower beam results in less interior volume than modern 35-footers.
• Predictable but dated IOR-influenced downwind handling characteristics.
• Potential for osmosis and deck core issues if maintenance has been deferred.