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Privateer 35
Designer: Thomas Gillmer  ·  Builder: Kenner Boat Company  ·  First built: 1968
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About the Privateer 35

Designed by renowned naval architect Thomas Gillmer and built by Kenner Boat Company from 1968 to 1972, this traditional cruising sailboat represents classic late-1960s design philosophy with its distinctive masthead ketch rig. The fiberglass construction features a moderate fin keel with rudder mounted on a skeg, providing excellent directional stability and balanced helm characteristics that made it popular among serious cruising sailors. With its generous 41-foot length overall and substantial 16,000-pound displacement, this vessel offers the kind of sea-kindly motion and load-carrying capacity that blue-water cruisers appreciate. The comfortable 34.62 comfort ratio indicates exceptional motion comfort in rough seas, while the conservative 1.7 capsize screening value demonstrates inherent stability suitable for offshore passages. The ketch rig configuration with 628 square feet of sail area provides versatile sail-handling options, particularly valuable when short-handed or in challenging conditions. Gillmer's design emphasizes seaworthiness over speed, making this boat ideal for extended coastal cruising and offshore voyaging rather than racing. The hull's traditional proportions and substantial ballast-to-displacement ratio create a forgiving, predictable sailing platform that has earned respect among experienced cruising sailors seeking a capable, comfortable passage-maker.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 41.42 ft / 12.62 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.83 ft / 7.87 m
Beam 10.67 ft / 3.25 m
Max Draft 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Displacement 16,000.00 lb / 7,257 kg
Ballast 6,250.00 lb / 2,835 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 628.00 ft² / 58.34 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Ketch
Construction FG
Designer Thomas Gillmer
Builder Kenner Boat Company
First Built 1968
Last Built 1972
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Performance Ratios
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
15.88
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
39.06
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
414.48
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
34.62
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
1.7
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. 6.81 kn
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. 984.77 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Universal
Engine Model Atomic 4
Engine Type Gas
Fuel Capacity 30 gals / 114 L
Water Capacity 30 gals / 114 L
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