The Bolero 35.5 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Published Specification for the Bolero 35.5

Underwater Profile: Fin keel & spade rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 35'6" (10.8m)

Waterline Length: 29'5" (9.0m)

Beam: 11'4" (3.5m)

Draft: 6'4" (1.9m)

Rig Type: Fractional sloop

Displacement: 12,103lb (5,490kg)

Designer: David Thomas

Builder: Production Yachts Ltd (UK)

Year First Built: 1979

Year Last Built: 1981

Number Built: 6

Published Design Ratios for the Bolero 35.5

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 17.4

• Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
• 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
• Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: Not known

• Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
• Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 212

• Under 100: Ultralight
• 100 to 200: Light
• 200 to 275: Moderate
• 275 to 350: Heavy
• Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 23.6

• Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
• 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
• 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
• 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
• Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.9

• Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
• Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Bolero 35.5

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 17.4 suggests that the Bolero 35.5 will, in the right conditions, approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors.

2. As the ballast weight is not published for the Bolero 35.5 it is not possible for us to calculate the Ballast/Displacement Ratio.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 212, tells us the Bolero 35.5 is clearly a light displacement sailboat. If she's loaded with too much heavy cruising gear her performance will suffer to a degree.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 23.6 suggests that crew comfort of a Bolero 35.5 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability, which is not the best of news for anyone prone to seasickness. 

5. The Capsize Screening Formula of 1.9 tells us that a xxxx would not be as good a choice of sailboat for ocean passage-making, owing to the increased risk of capsize in strong winds and heavy seas when compared to a sailboat with a CSF of less than 2.0.