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Hughes 35
Designer: Sparkman & Stephens  ·  Builder: Hughes Boatworks Ltd.(Can)  ·  First built: 1977
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About the Hughes 35

Designed by the legendary Sparkman & Stephens firm and built by Hughes Boatworks in Canada starting in 1977, this 35-footer represents classic offshore sailing design from sailing's golden era. The Hughes 35 embodies the traditional S&S philosophy of seaworthiness and performance, making it an excellent choice for serious coastal cruising and offshore passages. With a substantial displacement of 12,000 pounds and nearly half that weight carried as ballast, this boat offers impressive stability and sea-kindly motion in challenging conditions. The fin keel with rudder on skeg configuration provides excellent directional stability while maintaining good maneuverability. The masthead sloop rig delivers solid sailing performance with manageable sail handling for a cruising couple. The boat's comfortable comfort ratio of 28.67 indicates a smooth ride in seaway, while the capsize screening formula of 1.81 falls well within accepted parameters for offshore sailing. These characteristics make the Hughes 35 particularly appealing to sailors seeking a capable passage-maker that won't sacrifice comfort for performance. The Sparkman & Stephens pedigree ensures time-tested design principles that have proven themselves across decades of blue-water sailing.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 35.50 ft / 10.82 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
Beam 10.33 ft / 3.15 m
Max Draft 5.80 ft / 1.77 m
Displacement 12,000.00 lb / 5,443 kg
Ballast 5,400.00 lb / 2,449 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 504.00 ft² / 46.82 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Sparkman & Stephens
Builder Hughes Boatworks Ltd.(CAN)
First Built 1977
Related Sailboats Cc 35 2 · Cal 36 · Ericson 35 3 · Bristol 355 · Contessa 35
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 149
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 15.44
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 45
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 304.8
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 28.67
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.81
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.83 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 1.59
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 959.67 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 15.4
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 42.60 ft / 12.98 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 14.50 ft / 4.42 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 37.78 ft / 11.52 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.27 ft / 3.13 m
SA Fore 308.85 ft² / 28.69 m²
SA Main 194.00 ft² / 18.02 m²
SA Total (100%) 502.85 ft² / 46.72 m²
Est. Forestay Length 45.00 ft / 13.72 m
How It Compares

vs. Bristol 355, Cal 36, Cc 35 2, Contessa 35, Ericson 35 3

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Hughes 35 ★
35.5 ft
Bristol 355
35.5 ft
Cal 36
35.5 ft
Cc 35 2
35.5 ft
Contessa 35
35.5 ft
Ericson 35 3
35.5 ft
LWL
Hughes 35 ★
26.0 ft
Bristol 355
27.5 ft
Cal 36
27.0 ft
Cc 35 2
30.3 ft
Contessa 35
29.5 ft
Ericson 35 3
28.9 ft
Beam
Hughes 35 ★
10.3 ft
Bristol 355
10.8 ft
Cal 36
10.3 ft
Cc 35 2
10.6 ft
Contessa 35
11.4 ft
Ericson 35 3
11.3 ft
Displacement
Hughes 35 ★
12 lbs
Bristol 355
15 lbs
Cal 36
11 lbs
Cc 35 2
13 lbs
Contessa 35
13 lbs
Ericson 35 3
13 lbs
Ballast
Hughes 35 ★
5 lbs
Bristol 355
6 lbs
Cal 36
4 lbs
Cc 35 2
5 lbs
Contessa 35
6 lbs
Ericson 35 3
5 lbs
Sail Area
Hughes 35 ★
504 sq ft
Bristol 355
602 sq ft
Cal 36
600 sq ft
Cc 35 2
629 sq ft
Contessa 35
623 sq ft
Ericson 35 3
597 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Hughes 35 ★
149 s/nm
Bristol 355
—
Cal 36
150 s/nm
Cc 35 2
—
Contessa 35
114 s/nm
Ericson 35 3
—
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Hughes 35 ★
15.4
Bristol 355
15.9
Cal 36
19.2
Cc 35 2
17.6
Contessa 35
17.6
Ericson 35 3
17.3
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Hughes 35 ★
45.0 %
Bristol 355
—
Cal 36
40.2 %
Cc 35 2
40.7 %
Contessa 35
—
Ericson 35 3
40.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Hughes 35 ★
28.7
Bristol 355
32.5
Cal 36
26.1
Cc 35 2
29.0
Contessa 35
26.0
Ericson 35 3
25.7
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Hughes 35 ★
1.81
Bristol 355
1.76
Cal 36
1.85
Cc 35 2
1.76
Contessa 35
1.92
Ericson 35 3
1.93
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Hughes 35 ★
304
Bristol 355
—
Cal 36
254
Cc 35 2
222
Contessa 35
—
Ericson 35 3
241
Hull Speed
Hughes 35 ★
6.8 kts
Bristol 355
7.0 kts
Cal 36
7.0 kts
Cc 35 2
7.4 kts
Contessa 35
7.3 kts
Ericson 35 3
7.2 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Hughes 35 ★
1.6
Bristol 355
1.5
Cal 36
2.3
Cc 35 2
2.5
Contessa 35
2.4
Ericson 35 3
2.3
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