Design and Construction
Both hull and deck are solid fiberglass with wood trim, and the boat is a monohull with a raked stem and reverse transom. The fixed fin keel draws 6.25 feet and works with an internally mounted spade rudder steered by tiller. The length-to-beam ratio of 2.94 places the Santana 35 among the beamier designs of its class — it is roomier below than 79% of comparable sailboats, a real advantage for a 35-footer expected to double as a cruiser. The displacement-length ratio of 204 slots the design into the "moderate racer" category, so the volume is not bought at the cost of an overly heavy, sluggish hull. With an immersion rate of about 1,100 pounds per inch, the boat responds predictably to load changes in ballast and stores.
Rig and Handling
The Santana 35 is a fractional sloop with aluminum spars and a Bermuda rig, carrying a total sail area of roughly 550 square feet between mainsail and jib. The sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 21.0 on the ISO reference sail and rises to 24.4 with a 135% genoa, which is why www.yachtdatabase.com found her faster in light wind than 93% of similar boats. The rig itself is significantly overrigged relative to peers — more rig than 93% of comparable sailboats — and the long halyards (33.3 meters for main, jib, and spinnaker) and substantial sheet diameters (up to 14 mm on the mainsheet) reflect a sail plan built for powered-up racing as much as casual cruising. Under power, the Volvo Penta MD7A diesel drives a shaft to yield a calculated maximum of about 4.7 knots, while the theoretical displacement hull speed is 6.9 knots.
Accommodations
Below, the Santana 35 provides two cabins and sleeping for eight. The main cabin has two straight settee berths and two pilot berths, while two aft cabins each hold a double berth. The galley sits to port at the companionway ladder with a two-burner stove, ice box, and sink; opposite on starboard is the navigation station. The head is forward in the bow forepeak and includes a shower. Fresh water and fuel each hold 20 US gallons. This layout is compact but functional, leaning on the beamy hull to give genuine separation between sleeping and working spaces.
Performance Envelope and Limits
The Motion Comfort Ratio of 16.6 is modest — more comfortable than only 8% of similar designs — marking the Santana 35 as a stiff, responsive platform rather than a soft-riding cruiser. The capsize screening value of 2.33 means the boat would not qualify for ocean racing under that metric, a useful boundary for anyone weighing offshore ambitions against the design's coastal and club-race intent.
Refits and Ownership
With 115 built and production closed in 1983, the Santana 35 is a finite, well-defined class. The 1984 Schock 35 shares the hull but differs in mast and keel, so owners should confirm which variant they are dealing with when sourcing spars or keel-related parts. The simple fiberglass hull and deck, tiller steering, and shaft-drive diesel keep systems legible for the DIY-minded owner.
The Verdict
The Santana 35 is a Turner-designed racer-cruiser that trades ultimate offshore credentials for light-air speed, beamy volume, and a clear, serviceable layout. It rewards sailors who want club-race pace without surrendering eight-berth accommodation.
Pros
- Beamy, roomy interior for a 35-foot racer-cruiser
- Excellent light-wind speed from high sail-area-to-displacement ratio
- Simple fiberglass construction and tiller-driven spade rudder
Cons
- Low motion comfort ratio relative to cruising-oriented peers
- Capsize screening value excludes it from ocean-race acceptance
- Overrigged sail plan demands attentive handling and gear upkeep
