Design Brief & Intent
The US 35 was targeted directly at the middle-class cruising family, a demographic then dominated by market leaders like Pearson, Catalina, and Hunter. Huntingford designed the hull with a distinct emphasis on interior volume and livability, departing from the cramped, narrow-beam racing designs of the late 1970s. The boat features a generous 12-foot beam carried well aft, which translates directly to an uncharacteristically spacious saloon for a 35-foot vessel of this vintage.
Stepping down the companionway reveals a classic cruiser layout offering over six feet of headroom. The interior joinery relies heavily on teak veneers and solid wood trim, which provides a much warmer, traditional aesthetic than the fiberglass-heavy liners of the cheaper Buccaneer line. The layout features a private forward V-berth, a large U-shaped settee to port that converts into a double berth, a straight settee to starboard, and a dedicated nav station. A highly practical L-shaped galley sits near the companionway, flanked by a quarter berth or an enclosed aft cabin space depending on the production year. Cruising self-sufficiency was a core part of the design brief, evidenced by the impressive tankage: a 70-gallon fuel tank and a 100-gallon freshwater capacity are figures normally reserved for much larger passagemakers.
Sailing Performance & Handling
On the water, the US 35 exhibits the steady, predictable motion of a traditional medium-displacement coastal cruiser. This performance profile is anchored by a displacement-to-length ratio of 255.52, signifying a hull with enough mass to punch through a choppy seaway without losing momentum. The boat’s sail area-to-displacement ratio of 16.03 indicates a moderate sail plan. While she is not a light-air flyer, the masthead sloop rig provides respectable power in moderate-to-heavy breezes.
At the helm, the boat feels remarkably stiff and stable, largely due to a robust ballast-to-displacement ratio of 39.62%. The 5,250 pounds of lead encapsulated in the fin keel allow the US 35 to carry its canvas longer into a freshening breeze before requiring a reef. Underway, the deep fin keel combined with a skeg-hung rudder ensures excellent tracking and a positive feel. However, with a comfort ratio of 24.51 and a capsize screening formula of 2.03, the design sits right on the edge of the offshore racing threshold. The hull’s broad beam and flat sections make it a highly stable platform for coastal cruising, island hopping, and weekend harbor racing, but she is less suited for extreme, sustained blue-water ocean crossings.
Known Issues & Triage
As with most production boats of the late 1970s and early 1980s, the US 35 has specific structural and material issues that require careful triage. The most prevalent concern centers around the deck construction. The deck features a balsa core sandwiched between layers of fiberglass. Over decades of service, deck hardware, stanchion bases, chainplates, and the mast step can lose their sealant. Water intrusion into these unsealed penetrations inevitably leads to core rot and soft spots, which require core replacement and re-bedding of the hardware.
Another area of concern is the hull-to-deck joint. In early production runs, this critical seam was mechanically fastened and sealed with early-generation marine sealants that dry out over time, leading to persistent leaks under the toe rail. Furthermore, because early US Yachts models were laminated prior to the widespread adoption of modern vinylester resins, the hulls can be susceptible to osmotic blistering if left in warm, fresh, or brackish waters without a proper epoxy barrier coat. Prospective buyers should also inspect the bulkhead tabbing. Under hard sailing, the fiberglass tabbing that secures the structural plywood bulkheads to the hull side can flex or crack, particularly near the chainplates.
Modernization & Upgrades
Owners looking to keep a US 35 in active service typically focus their refit budgets on systems modernization and drivetrain reliability. The original Yanmar or Universal diesel engines are often reaching the end of their reliable service life. Modernizing the boat with a fresh, raw-water or fresh-water cooled diesel repower significantly improves reliability and eases maintenance, though access around the engine compartment remains snug.
Electrical refits are also common. The generous flat spaces on the deck and cabin top make the US 35 an excellent candidate for the installation of rigid or semi-flexible solar panels to support a modern house battery bank. Retrofitting the DC electrical system to support lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries is a highly viable upgrade, allowing cruising couples to run refrigeration and modern navigation electronics without constant engine idling. Finally, replacing the original copper water lines and upgrading the plumbing systems to modern PEX tubing allows owners to fully utilize the massive 100-gallon freshwater capacity without the fear of hidden leaks or degraded water quality.
The Verdict
The US 35 is a well-designed, spacious coastal cruiser that offers an impressive amount of living space and solid sailing pedigree for its size. For buyers who prioritize interior comfort, stable tracking, and affordable entry into coastal cruising, this Stan Huntingford design represents an exceptional value, provided the hull and deck pass a rigorous marine survey.
Pros
- Unusually large interior volume and headroom for a 35-foot boat of its era.
- High ballast ratio makes the boat exceptionally stiff and stable under sail.
- Generous tankage capacities for fuel and water support extended coastal cruising.
- Skeg-hung rudder provides excellent steering protection and directional stability.
- High-quality traditional teak interior joinery compared to budget peers of the same era.
Cons
- Balsa-cored decks are highly vulnerable to water intrusion and core rot.
- Capsize screening ratio limits its suitability for serious, high-latitude offshore voyaging.
- Early production runs are prone to osmotic gelcoat blistering.
- Bulkhead tabbing and structural chainplate supports may require reinforcement for heavy-weather sailing.
- Engine compartment configuration offers limited access for routine maintenance.
