[1][2][3] The design was built by Hinterhoeller Yachts in St Catharines, Ontario, Canada and first shown at the Toronto International Boat Show in 1978.
"[5] The Niagara 35 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fibreglass over a balsa core, with teak wood trim.
It has a masthead sloop rig with aluminum spars and a bowsprit, a spooned raked stem, a raised counter transom, an internally mounted spade-type rudder controlled by a wheel and a fixed fin keel.
The main saloon is forward and the forepeak is used for storage space and includes a work bench and access to the foredeck via a large overhead hatch.
"[5] A review in Cruising World written by Jayne Finn in 2006, stated, "Traditional looks combined with modern features draw frequent compliments for the Niagara 35 ...
Under way, the boat is stable and stiff, and we've had the rail of our Niagara 35, Phantasia II, in the water only once, when beating down Lake Huron in 20 knots of wind.
"[8] In a review Michael McGoldrick wrote, "Many people believe that Mark Ellis (of Nonsuch fame) came very close to setting the standard for the ideal cruising boat in the 35 foot range with the design for the Niagara 35.
This, along with its length of 35 feet, means the Niagara 35 is the kind of boat which starts to attract the attention of people who plan to live aboard for extended periods of time.