H-35 by Artekno. Any experience?

[Rum Run]

Hello all
Does anyone have experience of the H-35 made by Artekno of Finland, designed by Hans Groop?
One of these is a candidate for my next boat so am seeking knowledge on their seakeeping abilities, comfort, any known maintenance issues, general impressions etc.
I'm on the east coast and generally single hand btw.

Thanks in advance

 

[FWB]

Well I remember the first one being delivered in Newhaven in 1980 I think. I had just bought an Artekno H-Boat and the importer...Simon Thomas Yacht Sales...got an order for a 35. The owner was a Squadron member, white ensign flowing behind. It had running backstays but didn't seem to be a problem. My Gaff Cutter has them and they are no bother at all, I am a single hander.
Wonder if the boat you are looking at is the same boat, wish I could remember the name.
Pretty boat.

 

[H35]

I've owned one since 2012. Not going to sell - it's a keeper. Not compareable to other 35 footers under deck. More like a 29 footer - but with 5 full lenght berths! I'm 6"2'. But it's a challenge to enter the front cabin though. At least the older versions. I would really love to have the later version, which came in 84(?).
It's a sailor's boat. You have to appreciate sailing capabilities rather than the living quarters. I regularly sail with two of my kids, and we have adequate space - rather than lots of it...
You need to inspect the rig carefully. Mine is newer and stronger than the original. The motor should be changed as well. The original 8 hp Yanmar is salt water cooled and noisy. I have a newer Volvo Penta 13 hp which gives a top speed of 7,3 knots.

 

[ELAiNe333]

Hi, The H35 is a sailor's boat. My brother shared one for many years. Best example I recall was joining him for a weekend to Ostend. Returning overnight the forecast was a 6 almost on the nose and I admit I was dubious of the wisdom of setting off. The boat actually revels in a sea, a much better motion than our AWB and cuts through the waves without stopping, although the decapitated tops of the waves did make for a lot of spray over the cockpit (no sprayhood). We made good time and surprisingly comfortable and possible to rest in bunks when off watch.
The space inside reflects the age of the design and will disappoint those used to boat show offerings.
Not a boat for the marina, the long overhangs which give such a pretty shape and long overall length for her size make for horrid berthing fees.
I attach a scan of a film photo taken years ago on the Deben. You will note the modest sail area for her length but works really well on such an easily driven hull.

 

[H35]

Yes, marinas that charge per lenght - I hate that!! :disgust:

Maneuvering is not a problem though, Even with the lenght. I have a bow sprit even. Highly recommended, as it makes it so much easier to get ashore. The boat can easily be maneuvered into the tightest spots. Low wind drag and the shape of the hull sees to that.

It handles much better than modern boats in choppy waves, AS mentioned. I really appreciate that! And it takes more than a Bavaria 38 to keep up under those conditions.

 

[H35]

We have a Facebook group:

https://m.facebook.com/groups/526091987538765

 

[Mike 44]

From all I can gather I would seriously consider having an H 35 as our next boat, ideally for the 2019 season. I'm waiting to hear from the Facebook group - no reply to my request to join as yet.

 

[H35]

 

[davidaprice]

There are currently four for sale in Finland: https://www.nettivene.com/h-35 (Use Google Translate: https://translate.google.com/transl...s://www.nettivene.com/h-35&edit-text=&act=url). Boats in Finland are being lifted out for the winter around now, so no sailing tests until the spring. All four are on the south-west coast, so easy to sail back to the UK.

They have a reputation for sailing well, but having a slightly small rig (i.e. not enough sail area in lighter winds).

 

[Debenair]

There used to be two at Waldringfield on the Deben, including the one pictured in post #4.
The double spreader rig on the other one looked more seamanlike.

 

[H35]

I can confirm seaworthiness and good speed towards wind and waves. Under rigged?? Not really, unless you sail in areas with little or no wind... But a Code Zero could bring a lot of joy to this boat!

 

[Mike 44]

Thank you for your replies and pointer to nettivene.com.
We currently have a Moody 31 Mk 2 with twin keels which is roomy, comfy, has all mod cons, does easy miles, is good for exploring rivers and creeks, needs 10+ knots across the deck to move and frankly is not much fun to sail. To get to windward on a cruise you need to have the engine running. I call it 'the cottage'.
I'd like to move to something easily managed short/single handed, a joy to sail, am not overly bothered about running hot and cold etc. but do need an enclosable heads, stove and sufficient room for my ageing bones and dodgy back to be able to sit and stand comfortably and move around easily - I'm 175cm/5'9". I'd look at a Sigma 33 again, I had a well cared for one some years ago and loved it dearly, but never go back!
I believe the later H 35s have a rather more easily accessible focsle, and a stronger mast/rig? I note the sail plan shows running back stays, presumably important if you race but they seem to be the exception rather than rule on the H35s I've come across? Does anyone know how the boat was developed and roughly when any changes were introduced?
Comments welcome!

 

[H35]

Only the first year’s models had double spreaders, 77-78 I think. After that they all have a single.
I would never remove my running back stays. They have nothing to do with racing, but gives extra strength when going upwind in heavy winds and stops mast pumping effectively in heavy seas, which is when this boat is at home indeed!

 

[underdog]

You might also consider her sistership the H-323.

Designed by the same Hans Groop and built by Artekno 0y.

She has no running back stays and a self tacking jib as standard which makes single handed sailing easy.

Her light airs and heavy weather performance are good. Accomodation for 2-3 people is adequate without being luxurious.

more pictures here: http://www.ybw.com/forums/album.php?u=6172
Yachting Monthly did a review here: https://www.yachtingmonthly.com/reviews/yacht-reviews/h323-yachting-monthly-review

 

[Concerto]

Thank you for your replies and pointer to nettivene.com.
We currently have a Moody 31 Mk 2 with twin keels which is roomy, comfy, has all mod cons, does easy miles, is good for exploring rivers and creeks, needs 10+ knots across the deck to move and frankly is not much fun to sail. To get to windward on a cruise you need to have the engine running. I call it 'the cottage'.
I'd like to move to something easily managed short/single handed, a joy to sail, am not overly bothered about running hot and cold etc. but do need an enclosable heads, stove and sufficient room for my ageing bones and dodgy back to be able to sit and stand comfortably and move around easily - I'm 175cm/5'9". I'd look at a Sigma 33 again, I had a well cared for one some years ago and loved it dearly, but never go back!
I believe the later H 35s have a rather more easily accessible focsle, and a stronger mast/rig? I note the sail plan shows running back stays, presumably important if you race but they seem to be the exception rather than rule on the H35s I've come across? Does anyone know how the boat was developed and roughly when any changes were introduced?
Comments welcome!

Personally I do not know the H-35, but it certainly looks nice and being a relatively narrow beam should go to windward well. In a way it reminds me of the Diva 39 which was long and very narrow.

With regard to something that is easy to sail shorthanded, then consider a Westerly Fulmar. It meets all of your above requirements. I am biased as I have one, but they have always been regarded as a sailors boat that handles extremely well with no vices, certainly not a cottage! Mine is a fin with a folding prop and sails, plus new sails, and would be the configuration to get the best performance. Some even have hot and cold water, a fridge and heating! You will find many owners have had their Fulmars for a great number of years and the reason is they do exactly what the owners want - sail well. I chatted with Ed Dubois shortly before he died and he still rated the Fulmar as one of his very best boats he designed. What more can I say.

 

[Mike 44]

Lots of good comments, thank you.
Re running back stays, I'd overlooked their value for a beat. I remember being appalled by how much the Sigma's mast panted in just such situations.
And re the Fulmar, we were looking for one before buying the Moody as this was my preference for the reasons given above, even the twin keelers seem to sail ok to windward. However we found a wheel steered Moody with lots of good handholds and in fairness a better layout below which my wife loved, the budget went up £10k and that is what we wound up with. My wife is now rather off the bumpy bits between ports so I'm able to consider more of a bias to enjoyable sailing.

 

[Mike 44]

And thanks also for the suggestion about the H-323. I've had a good look at them and was put off by things like the heads being an adjunct to the focsle berth, the extra length of the H-35 getting over that problem. Also it seems to me comparatively narrow boats need length to compensate for the lack of beam/interior volume in providing adequate accommodations - e.g. a decent chart table with good access and ditto for the galley, a properly separated heads, adequate berth lengths and general stowage. (And I think the H-35 is prettier..)
As an aside, my early sailing was on traditional, narrow beam, long LOA designs. Someone once suggested rather tongue in cheek that the ideal was a boat with a foot LOA for each year of your life. A 70+ footer? Nooo!

 

[doug748]

As an aside, my early sailing was on traditional, narrow beam, long LOA designs. Someone once suggested rather tongue in cheek that the ideal was a boat with a foot LOA for each year of your life. A 70+ footer? Nooo!

The H35 does look rather nice, good luck with the search. I have seen one of these go very cheaply:

https://www.boatshed.com/fisksatra_skerry_class_s30-boat-227317.html

They do come up now and again, although another heartbreaker in a marina at 41 foot.

....We currently have a Moody 31 Mk 2 with twin keels which is roomy, comfy, has all mod cons, does easy miles, is good for exploring rivers and creeks, needs 10+ knots across the deck to move and frankly is not much fun to sail. To get to windward on a cruise you need to have the engine running. I call it 'the cottage'.
!

Here is a rum thing.

I always liked the look of these Moodys. By chance I have just read a YM review of a Mark II bilge keeler, these were some of the comments:

"....the feeling of a big dinghy"

".....she is a touch skittish"

"...fast, easy, responsive and thrilling to helm....she is well set up for singlehanded cruising"

"Some might consider her a touch too wild for the senior sailor"



So it just goes to show, the only opinions that count are your own!

 

[Luffe44]

I owned a H-35 in the late 90-ies. Sailed well and easy to handle, even docking under sail (one time clogged diesel supply and another some fish line in the prop). One thing to check is delamination of the fore deck. You can feel if the deck flexes when you step on it. Fixing was messy.

 

[doug748]

I'm bringing this thread back from the dead because it has a number of useful comments in situ, in order to set the scene.

My question is: Can anyone explain why this boat is said to carry a Cat D classification - Sheltered waters?

The Artekno H35 has a self draining cockpit, plenty of ballast and a modest sail area - so why does it end up in the lowest classification below an Etap 22?
Is it because it was never formally assessed and people are just making it up? Baffled.

.