Family cruiserr

When writing these reviews, it's easy to focus on the innovative and on-the-edge designs. They are easy to write about. But a lot of sailors want reliable, well-mannered and versatile cruising yachts that, by design, avoid the more radical fringe areas. A D/L of 49 and an SA/D of 32 can quickly turn a leisurely afternoon outing on the bay into an athletically demanding reefing session. The genteel side of sailing has a very strong attraction.

The Pearson 35 is a moderate design with a D/L of 229. With the optional shoal-draft wing keel, the draft is a handy 4 feet. The deeper-draft fin appears to draw about 5 feet, 8 inches and comes with a deeper, elliptical-tipped rudder. Beam and distribution of beam are moderate, indicating a boat with no performance surprises. The bow overhang is strongly raked, giving the 35 a more graceful appearance than the snubbed-bow IMS types. This will also provide for a drier ride to weather and more useful deck area at the bow.

The interior layout is an evolutionary refinement of previous Pearson models and is aimed at family or two-couple cruising. The aft head features a large shower stall. Note the location of the wet locker just aft of the galley. There is a large double quarter berth tucked aft of the companionway. The V-berths include a filler piece to form another generous double berth. The chart table is more than adequate in its dimensions. The interior of the 35 is beautifully finished in cherry veneers with solid cherry trim.

This rig is the epitome of the simple masthead sloop rig. The spreaders are slightly swept. This should be a no-brainer rig in terms of mast tuning. You can tune this rig at the beginning of the season and pretty much forget about it for the rest of the year. I'd prefer to see a rigid, mechanical vang but that's an easy option to add. The mainsheet traveler is over the companionway hatch spray hood, which makes it easy to mount a dodger while keeping the cockpit clear. The SA/D is 30.15, indicating a rig that should not require a reef until the apparent wind exceeds 20 knots.

With boats in the Cal-Pearson lineage like the venerable Alberg-designed Triton and the Lapworth-designed Cal 25, the new 35 will have some big shoes to fill. But, to my eye, the designers at Pearson have done an admirable job at extending their wholesome and versatile philosophy to this new model.

Reliable cruiser for 'the genteel side of sailing.