Neil, I am guessing that you are looking at a Cooper 353, which is their 35' (probably 37 LOA) pilot house version. It was their most popular version. The
hull shape is identical to the Banner, and some even came with
saildrive, like ours.
We sail with a 110
jib. We find the vessel points nicely, and the 110 does not overpower the boat when you get a good gust. We really like how the boat goes when you start to fall off the wind - it foots well, and steams along on a reach.
On the run, with our 110 and no chute, it is definately ho-hum. We do not particularly care, though, as we are cruisers.
We are impressed with the hull. It has a very broad angle of attack to the waves, just shouldering through them nicely. I avoid going dead into them unless unavoidable as with even a 10 degree angle the ride is much nicer. The bow tends to pop up if you hit the waves dead on.
The hull itself is solid glass (at least below the
water line - haven't checked above) with the
deck and
cabin top balsa cored. Lots of
plywood in place for mounting winches etc.
The 353 weighs in a bit heavier (dry) than the Banner 37, the effect of the pilot house, I am guessing. You are looking at a very nice, all
weather cruiser, that is comfortable. If you are racing, better try for the biggest handicap you can, they are not super fast - but not
dogs - particularly when you start to get off the wind. We had a cruiser/racer try and pass us coming into the Comptons, and he was surprised at how long we held him off. It was a close reach and one of our best points of sail.
I should note that we are live aboards, so our waterline is a good 2" lower than design specs
Might have held him off indefinitely if we were in 'normal' cruising trim.
Any other Questions, gladly answered.
Richard
aka Seamountie