The Tradewind 35 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Tradewind 35, a long-keeled cutter, was designed by John Rock and built in the UK by Blondecell Ltd.

'Barnstormer', a Tradewind 35 heavy displacement cruising yacht

A Tradewind 35 flush-decked cruising yacht prepares to drop the hook in Plymouth Sound, UK

Published Specification for the Tradewind 35

Underwater Profile: Long keel

Hull Material: GRP (Fiberglass)

Length Overall: 35'0" (10.67m)

Waterline Length: 25'10" (7.87m)

Beam: 10'6" (3.2m)

Draft: 5'6" (1.68m)

Rig Type: Cutter

Displacement: 19,442lb (8,819kg)

Designer: John Rock

Builder: Blondecell (UK)

Year First Built: 1975

Number Built: 70

Published Design Ratios for the Tradewind 35

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 16.1

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: 42.6

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

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 504

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

4. Comfort Ratio: 45.9

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: 1.6

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

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Tradewind 35

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 16.1 suggests that the Tradewind 35 will, in the right conditions, approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 42.6 means that the Tradewind 35 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A massive Displacement/Length Ratio of 504, tells us the Tradewind 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 45.9 suggests that crew comfort of a Tradewind 35 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a heavy bluewater cruising boat. Pitching and rolling will be well damped - your cup of coffee on the salon table stands a reasonable chance of staying there in most conditions.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.6 tells us that a Tradewind 35 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.