Cruisers Yachts 35 Express (2015-)

Brief Summary

Whoa! That was the first reaction as our test captain stepped aboard the 35 Express (formerly known as the 350 Express) from Cruisers Yachts. It's such a good looking boat that it seems a shame to have to add canvas to the package, but no one could leave this cockpit out in the rain in good conscience. And there are some subtle changes to the usual express layout that we like as well. But it all starts with performance, so let's take it on a full test behind the wheel.

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	35' 6'' / 10.8 m
Beam	11' 8'' 3.8 m
Dry Weight	16,500 lbs. 7,484 kg
Draft	44'' 1.12 m
Max Headroom	6' 5'' 2.0 m
Bridge Clearance	10' 3'' 3.1 m
Fuel Capacity	232 gal. 878 L
Water Capacity	40 gal. 151 L

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	6.3 sec.
0 to 30	17.1 sec.
Load	Load: 2 person, Fuel: full, Water: full, Gear: none
Climate	Temp: 84 deg., Humid: 65%, Wind: 10-15, Seas: light chop

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 320-hp MerCruiser 6.2L 377 MAG
Std. Power	Not Available
Opt. Power	Volvo D4, EVC, VD, 260-hp Merc 6.2 HRZC, DTS, VD, FWC, 320-hp Mec 8.2 HRZC, DTS, VD, FWC, 375-hp Volvo 5.7 GXI DP, 320-hp (Export Only) Volvo 8.1 GIC DP, OCEANX, JOYSTICK, FWC, 400-hp

Captain's Report Learn More
Watch Our Video

Contents of Report

• Entertainment Central
• Handling Underway
• The Performance
• On Deck
• The Helm
• The Cockpit
• Engine Room
• Below Decks
• Pricing
• Observations

By Captain Steve

One of the secrets of Cruiser Yachts’ success is that it has long recognized that every boat owner uses his boat differently. Cruisers Yachts has recognized that phenomenon and offers standard boats for day cruising and entertaining, then puts on the options list lots of amenities and some necessities for longer cruising. Having said all of this, the one goal that almost every owner has is entertaining. It is here that the Cruisers Yachts' models generally excel, and the 35 Express is no exception.

Entertainment Central

The deck of the 35 Express can be one long entertainment platform. Much is made of the walkthrough windshield access being made for more secure movement up to a tossing and rolling bow when needed, but it also serves another purpose. It facilitates guests moving forward to the sun pad and aft to the dining table while at anchor. Kids will like diving off the bow, swimming around to the stern, then doing it all again, racing through the cockpit, climbing through the windscreen to the bow.

Wide open space below is a signature aspect of many Cruisers Yachts and has been for years. The 35 Express below is typical of Cruisers Yachts' approach: the mid-cabin is set-up to be used primarily as a conversation pit adjacent to the salon. It is open with no bulkhead. Likewise, the bow of the boat where the double berth goes is also open to the salon. The result is that the 35 Express can comfortably handle a crowd below without them feeling cramped and claustrophobic.

Handling Underway

When accelerating, the bow comes up just 10-degrees and I had no loss of visibility of the horizon. She comes up to planing speed in 6.3 seconds. At about 20 mph, the bow comes down to its normal cruising altitude of 5-degrees bow rise. To get the bow to come down faster, don't be shy about adding power to get the speed up.Some operators might try to bring the bow down before reaching 20 mph with the tabs, or even bring the outdrive trims up. That would be a mistake. If one tries to "artificially" lower the bow, they won't get any performance benefit, and in fact they'll even start losing speed. Bring the tabs up, and leave the drives down and it's a much more solid feeling ride. I reached 20 mph in about 10 seconds and then the boat settled down into her proper cruising attitude.

One High Standard

In our tests of other Cruisers Yachts we have mentioned that the builder uses the same equipment and materials for all of the boats in its line. That is to say the same high-quality steering wheel that goes on the 380 Express, for example, also goes on the 35 Express. The company does this for two reasons: First, it reduces its inventory and parts numbers; second, it helps assure that the same quality that goes into the big boats goes into its smaller ones.

The Performance

Our test boat had an empty weight of 16,500 lbs. (7,484 kg), and with half fuel, two people and test gear, we had a test weight of 17,546 lbs. (7,959 kg) With a pair of 320-hp MerCruiser 6.2 L 377 MAGs turning a set of Bravo III outdrives, we reached a top speed of 41.9 mph at 4700 rpm. At that speed, we were burning a combined 47.7 gph while getting .9 miles per gallon for a range of 183 miles. Best cruise was found at 3500 rpm where we were running at 27.3 mph. Now we were getting a 23.1 gph fuel burn and getting 1.2 miles per gallon for a range of 247 miles.

On Deck

Starting at the bow, we have a hatch covering a Maxwell windlass and the hawse pipe for the anchor rode to go into the anchor locker. But there's no access to the underside of the locker to address any tangles that may occur.

There are foot controls just behind the hatch, and up on top of the rail is a remote control spotlight… all standard. Our test boat was equipped with the optional chaise lounge sun pad with adjustable backrests and substructure and both halves sit up separately from each other. Three deck hatches add natural light and ventilation to the cabin below.

The Helm

The 35 Express has an attractive and functional instrument panel. On our test boat's center panel housed an E90 widescreen display as part of the base electronics package that consists of the depthfinder and GPS as well

. An upgraded package is available that adds a 2 kW radar and replaces the digital depth gauge with a DSM 300 temperature and depth

.

The steering wheel is stitched leather, something that is very classy. Engine instruments were located port and starboard of the navigation screen. Throttles were mounted on a 45-degree angle rather than horizontal as I prefer them.

The helm seat is quite comfortable when sitting. It's a double wide seat that adjusts fore and aft, and both the captain and observer get a flip-up bolster. I like that fact as it adds a second armrest for the captain, or it lets the navigator sit while the captain stands or uses the bolster. However, sitting on the bolster leaves something to be desired as there is no padding on top of the bolster and a structural bar sticks right in one's bottom. (Note to Cruisers Yachts: please add the same wonderful padding that the rest of the seat has to the top of the bolster.) I also found the seat difficult to adjust and the adjustment bar kept hitting the back of my leg when I was standing. This is a common problem on many boats this size, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Visibility from the helm was first-rate, with good 360-degree sightlines. The boat comes standard with a soft top and cruising canvas. Depending on how much one is going to use the boat and where I would suggest considering the optional radar arch with hardtop and cruising canvas. It looked amazing on the boat we tested and really added a dose of sex appeal to the 35 Express, in my opinion.

The Cockpit

The cockpit seating is quite comfortable and there are speakers and courtesy lights in the risers. An entertainment center lies to port. Options include a refrigerator or icemaker and both require 110V power so the boat will need either a shore power cord or an optional generator. I'd also add the dual-cockpit tables with sun lounge cushions.

In the center of the cockpit deck is a hatch for the engine room, and since I am the type who likes to check the engines out before each trip, and look at them when running up at the start of the day, I think one should consider the electric hatch option. If the boater really wants to class up the 35 Express, go for the optional teak decking in the cockpit and on the swim platform and forgo the snap-in carpet.

Engine Room

Cruisers Yachts did a great job on the engine room. It's roomy and clean, and everything is easy to get to. Our test boat was fitted with a pair of 377 MAGs, and one can opt for adding Axius, Sea Core, and freshwater cooling. Alternatively, one can opt for Volvo Penta 8.1 engines with its versions of the same add-ons.

Below Decks

The cabin is accessed by going down a set of open stairs. The mid-cabin, which is aft of the steps and under the bridge deck, is comfortable and not isolated from the salon so conversations can be carried out easily enough between the two areas. By day this makes a good conversation pit for one group of friends, or the kids, while others enjoy the main salon. I'd like to see a privacy curtain for overnight guests in this cabin.

The salon is pretty much standard with a high-low table and the galley on the opposite side of the cabin. What sets the Cruisers Yachts 35 Express apart from other boats in class is her plush bench seat that is comfortable and makes into a bed in a pinch.

A wethead to port has plenty of storage behind mirrored cabinets. Just ahead is the galley with the usual cast of appliances. I did notice that the counter space is quite large at 30" (76.2 cm) x 25" (63.5 cm). The stove comes equipped with sea rails to hold one's pots and pans. This is an ABYC standard but all too many builders disregard this small touch. Three opening portlights vent fumes when cooking and add a lot of natural light to the already bright salon.

Options for the salon include decking in Amtico, Walnut, and Light Maple

. Custom sheets and pillowcases are also available as an option. A premium stereo and the 22" (55.9 cm) TV are offered.

Observations

However the owner decides to equip their 35 Express, the simple fact is, they're going to have a seriously cool, and good looking boat to show off, and don't dismiss the look of a boat when it comes to pride of ownership -- it probably ranks #1 or #2. The 35 Express is ruggedly built and therefore heavier than most of her peers. This means that if one wants to do some extended cruising, or they get caught in snotty conditions, she might well be more comfortable than other boats in class. If they are just going to use the boat around home then they have an entertainment platform both above and below decks that's second to none. For people wanting a modern-looking express in this size range, we think the Cruisers Yachts 35 Express is a "must-see" boat.