Back to Search
Sovereign 35
Designer: Holman And Pye  ·  Builder: J. W. And A. Upham Ltd. (Uk)  ·  First built: 1972
+ Add to Compare
About the Sovereign 35

Designed by the renowned British firm Holman and Pye and built by J.W. and A. Upham Ltd., this classic 35-footer represents traditional British yacht design philosophy from the early 1970s. The fiberglass construction combines modern materials with time-tested proportions, featuring a long keel configuration that provides excellent directional stability and seakindly motion in challenging conditions. With a masthead ketch rig, the Sovereign 35 offers versatile sail handling options that make it particularly appealing for offshore cruising and bluewater passages. The ketch configuration allows for reduced sail area on the main while maintaining good balance, making it easier to manage in heavy weather. The substantial displacement of 16,350 pounds, paired with 6,230 pounds of ballast, creates a stable platform that tracks well and carries sail effectively. The long keel design, while sacrificing some maneuverability in tight quarters, delivers exceptional tracking ability and creates a forgiving sailing characteristic that builds confidence in novice offshore sailors. The moderate beam and traditional proportions result in a boat that moves through seas rather than pounding over them, though sailors should expect more conservative performance compared to modern designs. This makes the Sovereign 35 well-suited for serious cruising sailors who prioritize comfort and seaworthiness over speed.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 35.00 ft / 10.67 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
Beam 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
Max Draft 4.99 ft / 1.52 m
Displacement 16,350.00 lb / 7,416 kg
Ballast 6,230.00 lb / 2,826 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Ketch
Construction FG
Designer Holman and Pye
Builder J. W. and A. Upham Ltd. (UK)
First Built 1972
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Known Issues & What to Watch For

No known issues documented for this model yet.

Own or have surveyed a Sovereign 35? Submit a known issue

Performance Ratios
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
38.1
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
415.29
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
40.99
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
1.58
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
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. 929.01 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Thornycroft
How It Compares

vs. Dickerson 35, Voyager 35 Primrose, Warrior Iii Primrose

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Sovereign 35 ★
35.0 ft
Dickerson 35
35.0 ft
Voyager 35 Primrose
35.0 ft
Warrior Iii Primrose
35.0 ft
LWL
Sovereign 35 ★
26.0 ft
Dickerson 35
26.8 ft
Voyager 35 Primrose
26.0 ft
Warrior Iii Primrose
26.1 ft
Beam
Sovereign 35 ★
10.0 ft
Dickerson 35
10.4 ft
Voyager 35 Primrose
10.5 ft
Warrior Iii Primrose
10.5 ft
Displacement
Sovereign 35 ★
16 lbs
Dickerson 35
12 lbs
Voyager 35 Primrose
12 lbs
Warrior Iii Primrose
12 lbs
Ballast
Sovereign 35 ★
6 lbs
Dickerson 35
4 lbs
Voyager 35 Primrose
5 lbs
Warrior Iii Primrose
5 lbs
Performance
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Sovereign 35 ★
38.1 %
Dickerson 35
33.3 %
Voyager 35 Primrose
41.3 %
Warrior Iii Primrose
41.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Sovereign 35 ★
41.0
Dickerson 35
Voyager 35 Primrose
Warrior Iii Primrose
29.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Sovereign 35 ★
1.58
Dickerson 35
Voyager 35 Primrose
Warrior Iii Primrose
1.82
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Sovereign 35 ★
415
Dickerson 35
277
Voyager 35 Primrose
313
Warrior Iii Primrose
311
Hull Speed
Sovereign 35 ★
6.8 kts
Dickerson 35
Voyager 35 Primrose
Warrior Iii Primrose
6.8 kts
Find a Sovereign 35 For Sale