The Bolero 35.5 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Bolero 35.5, a moderate displacement fractionally rigged sloop, was designed by David Thomas and built in the UK by Production Yachts Ltd.

A Bolero 35.5 sailboat on a fore-and-aft mooring

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

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 17.4

Ballast/Displacement Ratio: Not known

Displacement/Length Ratio: 212

Comfort Ratio: 23.6

Capsize Screening Formula: 1.9

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.

More about the Bolero 35.5...

The Bolero 35.5 is a 10.8 m (35 ft 5 in) monohull sailboat with a fin keel and a spade rudder. It has a 3/4 fractional rig with a single spreader mast and a large mainsail. The boat is designed for fast and responsive sailing, with a sleek hull shape and a generous sail area. The boat can reach speeds of up to 8 knots in moderate winds and handle well in rough seas.

The Bolero 35.5 is also a comfortable and spacious cruiser, with a roomy interior that can accommodate up to nine people. The boat has a classic layout with a forward cabin, a saloon, a galley, a navigation station, a head and two quarter berths. The boat has plenty of storage space and ventilation, as well as a warm and cozy atmosphere.

The Bolero 35.5 is a rare and sought-after boat, as only a few were built by Robertson and Sons Ltd. The boat has a loyal fan base among David Thomas enthusiasts, who appreciate its quality and character. The boat is also suitable for racing, as it has a competitive handicap rating and can perform well in various conditions.

Accommodation
The Bolero 35.5 has a traditional and practical layout that offers comfort and convenience for cruising or racing. The boat has four main sleeping areas: a forward cabin with a V-berth, two settees in the saloon that can convert into berths, and two small quarter berths aft. The boat can sleep up to nine people, but realistically six or seven would be more comfortable.

The saloon is the main living area of the boat, with a large folding table that can seat six people.

The galley, which is on the port side of the saloon opposite the navigation station, is well-equipped with a two-burner stove, an oven, a sink, a fridge and ample storage space for food and utensils. The galley is also close to the companionway, which makes it easy to access from the cockpit.

The navigation station is located on the starboard side of the saloon, next to the quarter berth. The navigation station has a large chart table, an instrument panel, a VHF radio and a seat. The navigation station is also connected to the electrical system of the boat, which includes two batteries, a shore power connection and an inverter.

The head is located forward of the saloon, on the port side of the boat. The head has a marine toilet, a sink, a shower and storage space for toiletries. The head also has an opening portlight for ventilation.

The forward cabin is located at the bow of the boat, separated from the saloon by a door. The forward cabin has a V-berth that can sleep two people comfortably. The forward cabin also has storage space under the berth and in lockers along the sides.

Hull and Deck
The Bolero 35.5 has a fiberglass hull and deck that are strong and durable. The hull has a white gelcoat finish that is easy to maintain and repair. The deck has an anti-slip surface that provides good grip and safety.

The cockpit is large and ergonomic, with enough space for six people to sit or move around. The cockpit has two lockers for storing sails and equipment, as well as an anchor locker at the bow. The cockpit also has an engine control panel, an autopilot control unit and an emergency tiller.

The steering system of the boat consists of a single wheel mounted on a pedestal at the aft end of the cockpit. The wheel is connected to the rudder by cables that run through pulleys under the deck. The wheel is also equipped with an electronic compass, an anemometer and a depth sounder.

The deck hardware of the boat includes two primary winches on the cockpit coaming, two secondary winches on the cabin top, and various cleats, blocks and tracks for adjusting the sails. The boat also has a stainless steel pulpit, pushpit and stanchions, as well as a double lifeline system for safety.

The above text was drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; we believe it to be accurate to the best of our knowledge.