Quarken 35 Cabin

This 50-knot all-weather middleweight bristles with innovation.

You do not need to be told that this boat hails from the Baltic, as it’s quite obvious. The dagger-like vertical-stem bow, twin-stepped hull, high-bulwark-enclosed side deck and the driver-focused helm are very much in keeping with most Scandinavian brands. Like the two Quarken 27s we tested last year, the new flagship 35 is a boat built for all weathers and ideal for our often inclement climate.

The fit and finish on this craft is typically of a high standard, as is the engineering. A look behind the scenes reveals a high degree of innovation, and all the stainless work is impressive. This Finnish boat features a twin-stepped deep-vee hull, and the power option was originally just twin Yamaha F300s, but with the recent arrival of the F350, this is now a choice giving the Quarken a 50-knot top speed. The wheelhouse design is asymmetrical, providing a wide starboard side deck, reassuringly enclosed by a tall bulwark. The port side has to make do with a narrow elevated side deck, but full-length roof rails provide secure handholds if you need to hang fenders to port.

Helm seating is generous.

Helm ergonomics are excellent.

The cockpit has the benefit of short fold-down bulwark sections, which, contrary to the normal practice, are not ‘ad hoc beam bathing platforms’. They provide extra side seating around the cockpit table, enabling seven to enjoy lunch; you just need to be aware that there are no backrests. This is complemented by a galley across the back of the wheelhouse, fitted with a large griddle, a sink, a top-opening self-draining fridge and storage. This is a generous offering given that there is another galley in the wheelhouse, complete with a diesel hob, a sink, storage and a 50L fridge beneath the helm seat. If you do not feel the need to cater for a full ship’s company, you can replace the external galley with an aft-facing bench seat. There is plenty of storage in the cockpit: specifically, two quarter lockers sit at the aft end of each bulwark, and deep lined lockers can be found under the deck.

This is the smaller of two galleys.

All-round visibility is very good.

Going forward means two steps up to the foredeck, once past the helm side door. The forward deck is designed as an inset walkway around an elevated sunbed. The concept works well, as you get enough depth of deck to provide a degree of security, while the reclining sunbed is sufficiently elevated for loungers to get a good waterside view. A small drop-in teak table and coachroof cup holders cater for this area, while the central sunbed section folds back to reveal the escape hatch. In typical Finnish style, a wide anchor locker stretches across the broad bow, serving an impressive stainless claw anchor, and is flanked by a step-through pulpit – something many Baltic boats are built with for dockside access. Should you feel the need, you can also have a stern anchor on the port quarter, with its windlass housed in the quarter storage locker. Decking throughout the boat is synthetic and available in various colour schemes, while all hardware is powder coated black.

There is full standing headroom for most people.

The wheelhouse is no less innovative. The six-person dinette sits sufficiently elevated for its occupants to get a good view out, and a stainless footrail is mounted around the base of the powered pedestal, which keeps your feet secure when sitting. The table converts from table to bed infill at the press of a switch, providing an extra double berth. To cater for six, the double helm seat converts to face aft by swinging its backrest forward, creating a generous dining arrangement. Initially you could be forgiven for thinking this boat just has an extra-wide side door at the helm; however, both the forward and aft sections of the starboard side of the wheelhouse slide in either direction. This means you can either have side deck access for the helmsman or you can fully open up the dining area on a hot day – or even something in between.

The dinette enjoys an elevated position.

The helm is well thought out. Throttle/wheel ergonomics work well, with both the joystick and Zipwake control panels easily accessed to the right of the wheel. All the primary switches are on an illuminated panel on the other side of the wheel, and the dash is big enough for two 12in MFDs. Seating is very generous, with two wide adjustable bolster-equipped seats and a teak footboard. The position is elevated, so most skippers will not feel the need to stand, and with a wide unfettered 360-degree expanse of window space, visibility is very good, helped by a high window line. A third forward-facing seat sits to port, complemented by a glovebox compartment, but there is no old-school chart table.

The double bed is wide but tapered.

Two steps take you down into the forward cabin below, where the headroom is just about OK for most adult men. You get a bit more than you bargained for, as on the starboard side there is a settee, which if necessary folds out to create a wide single bed. The heads lies opposite, and though it is not a full standing arrangement for many, it is very nicely finished. There is quite a bit of bathroom storage, and it is equipped with a toilet, a stylish glass bowl sink and a shower. The forepeak double bed is wide but tapers quite a bit going forward, so a couple will likely not sleep with their heads forward. Slim hull windows run most of the length of the bed, and a large lined storage cavity sits beneath, accessed by the aft section of the bed hingeing forward.

The sofa converts to a big single bed.

This all-weather boat will likely hit the spot for many UK boaters, especially with Yamaha’s new F350s. It has the fuel capacity to cruise beyond 200 miles, and if its smaller siblings are anything to go by, it should take the rough with the smooth. With a UK dealership already established, we will no doubt see this boat gracing our shores this season.

Specifications

LOA: 10.68m
Beam: 3.48m
Draught: 1m
Displacement: 5.1 tonnes, light with engines
Fuel capacity: 700L
Freshwater capacity: 120L
Berths: 2 + 2 + 1
CE rating: B
Engine options: Twin 300hp Yamaha F300 or twin 350hp Yamaha F350 outboards
Performance: 46 knots (claimed with twin F300s); 50 knots (claimed with twin F350s)