Home . Articles . Boats . Launchings . New Boat: Summit 35

New Boat: Summit 35

2009 July 1
The IRC rule has become the preferred grand prix handicapping system, and it seems few designers have mastered that rule better than Mark Mills. His IRC racers have been tearing up courses across the globe. Given his track record, this hot-looking new production cruiser-racer should be a force to be reckoned with.

The Summit 35 takes its cues from Mills' and Summit's successful IRC cruiser-racer, the King 40, which in turn took its inspiration from Mills' winning IRC 39 Mariners Cove and IRC 40 Tiamat designs. The new 35 shares much of the styling and performance characteristics of the King 40, but with refinements drawn from the lessons learned from the previous boats. A powerful sailplan (the SA/D is 26.53) and slippery hull shape are paired with a deep bulb keel for stability and performance in a range of conditions.
A dual-purpose boat, the 35 has a spacious, ergonomic cockpit and deck layout that should make both racing and cruising crews comfortable and happy. The design calls for tiller steering, with twin wheels available as an option. Down below there's standing headroom in the saloon, along with opposing settees, a U-shaped galley to port and nav desk to starboard. Two double berths are aft, while a double V-berth with enclosed head is forward.

The Summit 35 hull and deck are made using vinylester resin with E-glass and foam composite infusion. The standard mast and boom are aluminum, which will help keep costs down, while the retractable sprit is carbon fiber. Power is provided by a 28-horsepower Volvo with saildrive.

Summit says hull No. 1 will be in the water by August 1, in time for the Newport Boat Show.


Summit 35

LOA 25'1"; LWL 30'2"; Beam 11'5"; Draft 7'5"; Displacement 10,920 lbs.; Ballast 5,300 lbs.; Sail Area 816 sq. ft.; Auxiliary Volvo 28-hp; Fuel 17 gals.; Water 31 gals.

Base Boat: $245,000

Summit Yachts
McMichael Yacht Brokers
447 E. Boston Post Rd.
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
(914) 381-5900
www.summit-yachts.com