"Capt. Rob" wrote in message
ups.com...
As a racer, the C&C rates as low as 99, while 35s5 rates as low as 114.
While 35s5's have beaten C&C 99's boat for boat, the 99 is still the
faster hull.
On deck boat boats are friendly and fun. The 35s5 cockpit is larger as
is the swim platform, but the 99 is a walkthrough. I prefer the helm
station of the C&C, but the 35s5 has the Whitlock steering which is far
better.
As a cruiser the 99 does well, featuring a nice cabin and usable aft
cabin. But the 35s5 is larger below with an even larger aft cabin and
head. The 35s5 is also way ahead on storage. Fit and finish is quite
close, but the 35s5 is a bit nicer
Both boats have reasonable draft, though the wing on the 35s5 is 8
inches less.

Conclusion: I like the C&C 99 a lot. It's one of my favorite new
designs because it packages a good fast hull with a nice cruising
interior. But we have exactly the same thing with our 35s5, a boat that
has actually increased in value in the last 5 years. In the end,
considering that we'll do little racing, the 35s5 is the better boat
again.

You've overlooked the most important comparison: price. The 99s on the
used market begin at around $120K and the 35s5s begin at around half that
figure. Not to mention that the Bene is a better cruising boat with better
accommodations, a better-looking interior, a larger diesel for powering
through nasty chop, and--(drum roll, please)--a swim platform. Oh wait, I
guess the 99 has one, too.

Well, four outta five ain't bad.

Max