Scorpio 35 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

Under sail, the Scorpio 35 is a quintessential heavy-displacement cruiser. It features a traditional cutter rig and a modified full keel with a cutaway forefoot, a design choice intended to balance steady tracking with reasonable maneuverability in tight quarters. With a displacement in the neighborhood of 16,000 pounds, the boat possesses significant momentum, allowing it to punch through heavy chop where lighter production boats might hobby-horse.

While technical ratios for such a limited production run are rarely published in formal naval architecture journals, the sail area-to-displacement ratio is conservative, leaning toward a "blue water" profile. Owners typically report that the Scorpio 35 requires a stiff breeze—12 to 15 knots—to truly find its groove. It is not a light-air performer, and its wide beam and heavy wetted surface make it sluggish in drifting conditions. However, according to historical perspectives on the Gozzard lineage from Gozzard Yachts, the hull was engineered for "sea-kindliness," ensuring a soft motion that minimizes crew fatigue during long passages. The steering is typically heavy but predictable, providing the "on-rails" feel sought by long-distance cruisers.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The interior of the Scorpio 35 is where Haydn Gozzard’s iconoclastic design philosophy is most evident. Rejecting the industry-standard "V-berth and bulkhead" layout, Gozzard utilized an open-plan concept that was revolutionary for its time. By eliminating the forward cabin bulkhead, the Scorpio 35 feels significantly larger than its 35-foot LOA suggests.

The forward section of the boat serves as a massive wrap-around dinette that converts into a king-sized berth at night. This eliminates the cramped "cave-like" feeling of traditional forward cabins. Moving aft, the midships area contains a robust galley and a dedicated navigation station. The joinery is typically high-quality Canadian craftsmanship, featuring extensive use of teak and solid wood finishes that have aged better than the veneers found in high-volume contemporary builds.

While the Scorpio 35 was the primary focus of the yard’s own design efforts, Scorpio Yachts also produced the Kirby 36, a Bruce Kirby-designed performance cruiser built on the same factory floor. While the Scorpio 35 was a heavy-set cruiser, the Kirby 36 was its "faster sibling," utilizing a fin keel and spade rudder for a much more aggressive sailing profile. These two models represent the duality of the Exeter plant’s output during the early 1980s.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers of a Scorpio 35 should focus on the specific aging characteristics of 1980s Canadian fiberglass construction.

• Deck Delamination: Like many boats of this era, the Scorpio 35 utilizes a balsa-cored deck. While the hulls are solid laminate, hardware bedding (cleats, stanchions, and tracks) can fail over forty years, leading to moisture ingress and core rot. A thorough percussion test or moisture meter reading is essential.
• Chainplate Inspection: The chainplates are robust, but their placement can lead to deck leaks if the sealant is not regularly maintained. Look for staining on the interior cabinetry behind the settees.
• Engine Access and Maintenance: Most Scorpio 35s were originally fitted with Volvo Penta or Westerbeke diesel engines. While the engine rooms are generally well-insulated, the tight configuration around the 35’s aft section can make accessing the stuffing box and transmission challenging compared to modern "walk-around" engine bays.
• Keel-to-Hull Joint: Given its modified full keel, the joint is structurally sound, but owners of Gozzard-designed boats from this period should inspect the keel bolts for "weeping" or rust, which may indicate the need for re-torquing or replacement.

Community & Resources

Owners of the Scorpio 35 are often welcomed into the broader Gozzard community due to the boat’s direct lineage to the later Gozzard 36. The most prominent resource for technical support and historical documentation is the Gozzard Yachts official site, which maintains archives of Haydn Gozzard’s earlier projects. While there is no dedicated "Scorpio-only" association due to the low production numbers, the Gozzard Owners Group is the primary hub for technical discourse regarding the unique open-plan interior and systems common to both brands.

The Verdict

The Scorpio 35 is a "scholar’s boat"—a rare, overbuilt cruiser that prioritizes craftsmanship and innovative living space over modern speed. It is an ideal vessel for a couple looking to live aboard or cruise extensively without the claustrophobia of a traditional 35-footer.

Pros:

• Innovative Interior: The open-plan layout offers unmatched volume and light for a boat of this size.
• Build Quality: Solid fiberglass hull and high-end joinery reflect the premium standards of the Gozzard family.
• Heavy Weather Stability: A predictable, sea-kindly hull that excels in offshore conditions.

Cons:

• Light Air Performance: Struggles to maintain speed in under 10 knots of wind without a large genoa or cruising chute.
• Rarity: With only a dozen built, finding one on the market is difficult, and specific hull-mold knowledge is limited.
• Maneuverability: The modified full keel makes backing into tight slips a challenge for those accustomed to modern fin-keel spade-rudder boats.