Duchy 35 Debuts at Connecticut Spring Boat Show

A stiff breeze swept across the Connecticut River, sending burgees snapping and halyards rattling at Safe Harbor Essex Island Marina during the Connecticut Spring Boat Show. Despite the brisk conditions, visitors strolled the docks with coffee in hand, enjoying a small, friendly event where local boaters swap cruising tips and reconnect. Against that New England backdrop—salt marsh scent drifting upriver from Long Island Sound—a European builder introduced the Duchy 35 to the American market.

Built by Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding in Falmouth, Cornwall, the semicustom Duchy 35 felt right at home in the blustery weather. Designed for changeable coastal conditions, the 35 combines traditional woodworking and handcrafted appeal with modern systems and creature comforts, delivering a timeless look with up-to-date functionality.

An interior view of the seating of a boat, sideview. — A sliding door at the helm is standard. Courtesy Cockwells

Company founder Dave Cockwell, raised in Bristol and introduced to boating at an early age, explained that the Duchy 35 grew from a customer request for a larger version of the Duchy 27 with more living space and two cabins. “What appeals to people about the Duchy is that it looks like a proper boat,” Cockwell said. “But it’s not old-fashioned. It’s contemporary and stylish in a traditional way.”

Design and Construction

The Duchy 35 showcases abundant woodwork both inside and out, reflecting Cockwells’ reputation for high-quality, handcrafted construction. Andrew Wolstenholme, an associate member of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, penned the hull: a semidisplacement form with a keel tuned for seakeeping. “She’s a very good sea boat,” Cockwell noted. “Where we’re from, it’s always running 3 to 4 feet. The water is rarely flat. This boat is built for those conditions.”

Systems and Options

Contemporary amenities include EmpirBus digital switching at the helm, joystick control for close maneuvering, and optional systems such as Starlink connectivity and a Seakeeper gyro for stability. These modern features are integrated without compromising the classic look that attracts buyers seeking both style and substance.

Performance

Buyers can choose several propulsion packages. Twin 270-hp Nanni T4 diesels with shaft drives produce a top speed around 28 knots and a cruising speed near 20 knots. For more speed, twin 350-hp Yanmar V-8s lift the top end to about 31 knots with a cruising speed near 25 knots and an estimated range of 275 nautical miles; the Duchy 35 can also be configured with a single Yanmar engine. These combinations provide flexibility for owners prioritizing efficiency, speed, or range.

The front interior of a boat with seating — The salon has a dinette and
a chart table with seating. Courtesy Cockwells

Layout and Living Space

The Duchy 35 is a semicustom platform offered in multiple interior configurations. The twin-cabin layout—featured at the Essex show—places the galley along the starboard side of the salon, creating a convenient food-prep area close to the cockpit that many cruising families will appreciate. The second, amidships stateroom is well sized for two children, while the forward owner’s stateroom offers a wide berth, ample stowage, and standing headroom.

Alternatively, a single-cabin plan places the galley on the accommodation level and opens the salon into a more social, lounge-like area with extra seating; that configuration also includes a wet head. Both layouts aim to balance onboard comfort with practical cruising ergonomics.

The rear view of the interior of a boat looking out at the stern — Folding cockpit doors open to create a continuous space. Courtesy Cockwells

Cockpit and Entertaining

Wellington Yacht Sales managing director Ted Hood Jr. was aboard to highlight the social side of the design. Varnished folding doors separate the salon from the cockpit and, when opened, create a single, continuous entertaining area. The cockpit offers a boarding door to starboard, a stern access door, and a U-shaped lounge surrounding two removable teak tables that unfold into one large dining surface—ideal for onboard gatherings.

Cockwell noted the builder originally offered the 35 with an open cockpit intended for anglers, but sales have leaned toward models with seating installed. The seating option remains available for owners who prefer a fishing-focused setup.

the sidedeck of a boat in the water — The recessed sidedeck is easy to navigate. Courtesy Cockwells

Safety and Practical Details

Thoughtful safety features are integrated throughout. Handrails on the hardtop and a tall, sturdy bowrail improve foredeck security, while a recessed step set into the hullside helps when boarding from the dock. The recessed sidedeck also makes passing along the side easier and more secure in rougher conditions.

Reception and Fit for New England

At the Essex show the Duchy 35 drew attention for its balanced lines, strong proportions, and practical, seaworthy design. The extended hardtop, graceful sheer and dark-blue hull with a red boot stripe sat naturally in the New England setting, even though the boat was built in Cornwall. A local boater at the show purchased the twin-cabin example for the additional stateroom needed for his children, underscoring the design’s appeal to cruising families.

When asked how the Duchy 35 compares to traditional Downeast cruisers, Cockwell summarized the boat’s appeal: it offers the feel of both a dayboat and a cruising boat—an equal balance of a large open cockpit and a comfortable, spacious enclosed area—making it a versatile and comfortable choice for a wide range of owners.