Entertainment Central

The deck of the “Black Pearl” can be one long entertainment platform. Much is made of the walk through 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.

The aft sun lounge features a flip-back seat. Fender storage is to starboard and a four step boarding ladder is to port.

Wide open space below is a signature aspect of many Cruisers Yachts, and has been for years. 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 “Black Pearl” can comfortably handle a crowd below without them feeling cramped and claustrophobic.

Handling Underway

When accelerating, the bow comes up just 10-degrees with very little loss of visibility of the horizon. She comes up to planing speed in a handful of seconds. At about 20 mph, the bow comes down to its normal cruising attitude 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. Bring the tabs up, and leave the drives down and it’s a solid feeling ride. At about 20 mph the boat settles down into her proper cruising attitude.

On Deck

Cruisers Yachts eliminates side decks on the 35 Express to maximize cockpit space. Its signature walkthrough windshield permits secure access to the foredeck. The latches for the walkthrough windshield are interconnected, and there are gaskets all around to prevent annoying rattling while underway.

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. There are foot controls just behind the hatch, and up on top of the rail is a remote control spotlight She’s equipped with the optional chaise lounge sun pad with adjustable back rests 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. You’ll notice the AXIUS joystick, Mercruiser Vessel view display, and Skyhook!  A Raymarine Hybrid Touch multi function display shows radar, GPS, and  the sounder. The steering wheel is stitched leather, something that is very classy. Engine instruments were located port and starboard of the navigation screen. With an observer bolster, the captain has a second armrest. Notice the adjustment bar for the seat. 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. From the helm seat there is outstanding 360-degree visibility. Visibility from the helm is first rate, with good 360-degree sight lines. Offsite Meeting has the optional  hardtop and full canvas. The port side lounger is curved, and comfortable for guests.

The Cockpit

Down a short step and aft, An entertainment center lies to port and options include a refrigerator and small ice bucket. The cockpit seating is quite comfortable (for 9!) and there are speakers and courtesy lights in the risers. In the center of the cockpit deck is a hatch for the engine room with an electric ram to ease access. The entire deck is covered with woven vinyl rather than standard carpeting.

Engine Room

Cruisers Yachts did a great job on the engine room. It’s roomy and clean, and everything is easy to get to. Her big power 8.2 MAG’s sit side by side with ample space for servicing. The Kohler generator sits just forward of the motors.

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. The salon has 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. Up above is a 22″ flat screen TV that is mounted to a cabinet door so it can be opened for viewing from the forward berth or the sofa. All the way forward is a queen size island berth with portlights and an overhead hatch. Storage runs along both sides of the upper bulkheads. The head is to port has plenty of storage behind mirrored cabinets. Just ahead is the galley with the usual cast of appliances. The counter space is quite large at  The stove comes equipped with sea rails to hold one’s pots and pans. Large windows  add a lot of natural light to the already bright salon.