The Archambault A35 R 2014 vs Archambault Suspens Fin keel Fin keel 1979 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Archambault A35 R 2014 measures 36,4 feet overall (2014), giving it roughly 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Archambault Suspens Fin keel Fin keel 1979 at 30,4 feet (1979). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Archambault A35 R 2014 tips the scales at 9 811 lbs — 3 693 lbs more than the Archambault Suspens Fin keel Fin keel 1979 at 6 118 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Archambault A35 R 2014 carries a rated maximum of 21 hp. Engine data for the Archambault Suspens Fin keel Fin keel 1979 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 8 gal and 8 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Archambault A35 R 2014 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Archambault Suspens Fin keel Fin keel 1979 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Archambault A35 R 2014 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Archambault A35 R 2014 displaces 9 811 lbs — a 3 693-lb difference over the Archambault Suspens Fin keel Fin keel 1979 at 6 118 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Archambault A35 R 2014 draws 7,2 ft, compared to 5,1 ft for the Archambault Suspens Fin keel Fin keel 1979. That 2,1-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.
The Archambault A35 R 2014 uses Sloop rigging. Helm style differs too: the Archambault A35 R 2014 uses a 1 tiller (helm wheel in option) versus a 1 tiller on the Archambault Suspens Fin keel Fin keel 1979. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones. The Archambault A35 R 2014 has a documented auxiliary engine of 21 hp.
Hull speed is rated at 7,4 knots for the Archambault A35 R 2014 and 6,8 knots for the Archambault Suspens Fin keel Fin keel 1979.
Bottom line: The Archambault A35 R 2014 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 9 811 lbs displacement and 36 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Archambault Suspens Fin keel Fin keel 1979 at 6 118 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.