The Challenger 35 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Published Specification for the Challenger 35

Underwater Profile: Long keel

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 35'0" (10.7m)

Waterline Length: 26'1" (8.0m)

Beam: 10'6" (3.2m)

Draft: 5'0" (1.5m)

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Displacement: 14,950lb (6,781kg)

Ballast: 5,100lb (2,313kg)

Designer: Angus Primrose

Builder: Trident Marine (UK)

Year First Built: 1975

Published Design Ratios for the Challenger 35

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 11.5

• 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: 34.1

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

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 376

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

4. Comfort Ratio: 35.1

• 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: 1.7

• 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 Challenger 35

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 11.5 suggests that the Challenger 35 will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 34.1 means that a long-keel sailboat like the Challenger 35, is likely to benefit from being reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 376, tells us the Challenger 35 is firmly in the ultra-heavy displacement category. Load her up as much as you like and her performance will be hardly affected, not that it was ever startling. Few if any sailboats are built to this displacement category these days - but they remain popular with some long-distance sailors.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 35.1 suggests that crew comfort of a Challenger 35 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a moderate bluewater cruising boat - a predictable and acceptable motion for most seasoned sailors.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.7 indicates that a Challenger 35 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.