Island Pilot’s president, Reuben Trane, calls the 535 “a crossover trawler” — meaning it works just as well and efficiently at displacement speeds as it does at planing speeds. Indeed, on a break-in delivery cruise from Miami to Charleston, South Carolina, Trane says the 535 averaged 8 gallons per hour (gph) at an average speed of 11 knots — no doubt the Gulf Stream gets some credit for helping here. My own measurements a week later near Annapolis, Maryland, showed the 535 burned only 8.9 gph at 8.2 knots, or 48.8 gph at 20.4 knots, meaning you have a nice choice: You can travel at a traditional displacement speed of just over 8 knots and enjoy a range of about 586 nautical miles (with a 10 percent fuel reserve) or, if you’re in a hurry, you can cruise at 20 or 25 knots. (See the complete photo gallery here.)
A lifelong boater, Trane says the 535 was designed for a variety of markets. He hopes it will appeal to retiring baby boomers who most likely owned an express and want something that has more cruising amenities and capabilities; owners of full-displacement yachts who no longer want to voyage across oceans; the experienced owner who appreciates that the IP 535 hasn’t tried to cram in space for more than a couple of guests; DIY owners who’ll love the truly spacious engine room; and live-aboard couples who realize they don’t need a slow boat to have real living comforts.
The idea of the crossover trawler — a large cruising boat with some speed that maintains the essential character of the Island Pilot line — appealed to Trane’s sense of innovation. Its two large front windows, sharp angles, big cockpit and tall flying bridge make the 535 look like it has a lot of room, and it does. You walk onto the boat via the large swim platform and then step up to the cockpit, or you step through stainless side gates on either side of the cockpit. The cockpit is fully covered, and its canopy extends over the U-shape settee and dining table aft for alfresco entertaining. A barbecue grill, wet bar and ice maker keep the party happily outside.
For access to the engine room, Trane designed a large door at the forward edge of the cockpit. Like all the areas on the 535, this provided standing headroom for me, and I’m about 6 feet 2 inches tall. The engine room is large enough for a workbench over the genset to port; the batteries are to starboard, and the user-friendly fuel manifold with gauges is on the centerline.
From the cockpit you step up to the glass door leading to the salon. Large side windows, plus two sliding doors opening to the side decks forward, drench the area in sunlight. The space flows without interruption from the entry to the lower helm station and then down to the galley and dinette area. Huge front windows make this space seem like an atrium. On the starboard side, the upper salon has a large U-shape settee and beautiful teak fold-out table on the port side facing two comfortable armchairs opposite. It’s an inviting, user-friendly layout.
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