Hull, Keel, and Variable Draught
The defining characteristic of every Southerly is the swing keel, and the 35RS is no exception. Variable draught via the signature swing keel is the central design premise, letting the boat move between deep-water passage and shoal-draft exploration without compromise. This is not a fin keel with a bolt-on bulb grafted onto a cruising hull; the swing mechanism is integral to the design philosophy from the waterline down.
The 35RS carries a ballast-to-displacement ratio that speaks to the keel's geometry: with the keel deployed, the boat achieves a stability profile suited to offshore passages. The displacement of just over fifteen thousand pounds keeps the hull light enough to be responsive, while the keel geometry provides the righting moment expected of a serious bluewater cruiser.
Rig and Sail Handling
Southerly and Humphreys built the 35RS around a fractional rig with a self-tacking furling jib and a 33-square-meter mainsail with single-line reefing, and the logic of that combination is easy to follow. The self-tacking jib removes the need to tend headsail sheets through every tack — valuable when sailing short-handed, and transformative when the crew is just two people managing a bluewater passage. Reefing the main from a single line at the mast or cockpit reduces the number of operations needed when conditions deteriorate.
In lighter air, an optional gennaker can be flown from a short, removable bowsprit, giving the boat a meaningful performance option without the complexity of a permanent whisker pole or a full-sized code zero setup. The rig prioritizes ease over raw speed, which is the correct trade-off for the intended mission.
Cockpit and Deck Layout
The cockpit design on the 35RS reflects the same shorthanded philosophy that shaped the sail plan. The forward part of the cockpit is deep and well protected, with comfortable seats and backrest, while the aft section opens generously to accommodate the helmsman at a large 48-inch diameter wheel. That wheel diameter is notable on a 35-footer — it provides mechanical advantage and precise feedback from what the designer describes as a light and responsive steering system.
Teak is used throughout the deck to ensure durability and a traditional aesthetic. The protected forward section of the cockpit means crew can shelter during a watch without abandoning the working area, and the separation between a secure crew zone and an open helm position is a practical arrangement for couples sailing offshore.
Accommodations and Interior
Below, the 35RS features a raised saloon — one of the distinguishing interior choices on this model. The elevated saloon sole gives occupants better sightlines through the companionway and windows, and the arrangement provides convivial seating for sailing companions in a space that flows naturally from the companionway down into the boat.
The standard layout offers two cabins, a spacious galley, a dining area, and what Humphreys describes as an array of ingenious storage solutions. Owners can customize the interior, which means examples on the water may vary in cabin configuration and finish. The galley and dining area are positioned to be usable at sea, a requirement for any legitimate bluewater design.
Shorthanded Credentials
The Southerly 35RS can be sailed easily by just two people, and the design choices throughout the boat reinforce this claim rather than simply asserting it. Safety and comfort are given stated priority, and the handling has been simplified to minimize demands on the helmsman. This is not a racing yacht pressed into cruising service — it is a purpose-built passage-maker where the helm load has been considered from the outset.
The combination of self-tacking jib, single-line reefing, a large wheel with light steering, and a protected deep cockpit amounts to a coherent system for managing the boat in deteriorating conditions with minimal crew. These are not individual features bolted onto a conventional hull; they represent a consistent design philosophy executed across the entire boat.
The Verdict
The Southerly 35RS occupies a specific and well-defined niche: a traditional-looking bluewater cruiser that can access shoal waters, be managed by a couple, and live aboard comfortably for extended passages. Designed by the Humphreys and Northshore partnership with families and long-distance yachtsmen in mind, it delivers a coherent set of compromises rather than trying to excel at racing, coastal day-sailing, or marina living simultaneously. The raised saloon, the protected cockpit, and the swing keel are features that will matter enormously to the right buyer and be irrelevant to the wrong one.
Pros
- Swing keel enables shoal-draft cruising without sacrificing offshore stability
- Self-tacking jib and single-line reefing make the boat genuinely manageable for two
- Large-diameter wheel with light steering reduces helmsman fatigue on passage
- Deep, protected forward cockpit provides crew shelter in deteriorating conditions
- Raised saloon improves sightlines and creates a sociable interior
- Optional gennaker on removable bowsprit adds light-air performance without complexity
Cons
- Swing-keel mechanism adds maintenance and inspection obligations absent on fixed-keel boats
- Performance-oriented sailors will find the rig tuned for ease rather than speed
- Customizable interiors mean condition and layout vary significantly between examples
- The traditional style may not appeal to buyers seeking a modern aesthetic
