The Hunter 34 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Hunter 34 sailboat was designed by American designer Cortland Steck and built by Hunter Marine in Alachua, Florida, USA. First introduced in 1983, this model features a fiberglass hull, a fin keel, and an internally-mounted spade-type rudder. With a length overall of 10.5 meters (34'5") and a beam of 3.5 meters (11'7"), the Hunter 34 was produced until 1987, with over 800 units built during its production run.

The Hunter 34

Published Specification for the Hunter 34

Keel & Rudder Configuration: Fin keel, Internally-mounted spade-type rudder
Hull Material: Fiberglass with wood trim
* Length Overall (LOA): 10.5 m (34'5")
* Waterline Length (LWL): 8.6 m (28'3")
* Beam: 3.5 m (11'7")
* Draft: 1.7 m (5'6")
Rig Type: Masthead B&R rig
* Displacement: 5,361 kg (11,820 lb)
* Ballast: 2,268 kg (5,000 lb)
* Sail Area: 52.7 m² (566.89 ft²)
Water Tank Capacity: 250 L (65 US gal)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 95 L (25 US gal)
Hull Speed: 7.1 kn
Designer: Cortland Steck
Builder: Hunter Marine
Year First Built: 1983
Year Last Built: 1987
Number Built: Over 800

* Used to derive the design ratios referred to later in this article - here's how they're calculated...

Options & Alternatives

A shoal draft keel with a draft of 1.30 m (4'3") was available as an option.

During its production run from 1983 to 1987, the Hunter 34 sailboat saw some variations. One notable change was the introduction of the 'Hunter 34 Legend' in 1986, which featured a more Euro-styled design compared to the original Hunter 34.

Additionally, there were minor updates in interior trim and materials over the years, such as the use of oak trim in the 1987 models, while earlier models had darker wood trim.

Sail Areas & Rig Dimensions

Sail Areas & Rig Dimensions

Where...

“I” is measured along the front of mast from the highest halyard to the main deck. The main deck is where the deck would be if there were no deckhouse;
“J” is the base of the foretriangle measured along the deck from the headstay to the mast;
“P” is the luff length of the mainsail, measured along the aft face of the mast from the top of the boom to the highest point that the mainsail can be hoisted;
“E” is the foot length of the mainsail, measured along the boom from the after face of the mast to the outermost point on the boom to which the main can be pulled.

Sail Area (Total): 52.7 m² (567 ft²)
Sail Area (Foretriangle): 30.3 m² (326 ft²)
Sail Area (Mainsail): 22.4 m² (241 ft²)

I (Foretriangle Height): 14.5 m (47'5")
J (Foretriangle Base): 4.2 m (13'9")
P (Mast Height): 12.5 m (41'0")
E (Mast Offset): 3.6 m (11'9")

Published Design Ratios
The Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Sail Area / Displacement: 17.61
Ballast / Displacement: 42.30%
Displacement / Length: 234
Comfort Ratio: 23.25
Capsize Ratio: 2.04

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The above design ratios are fairly typical for a moderate displacement sloop of this type and can be interpreted to provide an indication of such a vessel's likely sailing characteristics - however they have their limitations:

The design ratios are static measurements which don't account for dynamic factors like wave action, wind gusts, or crew actions.

They simplify complex interactions into single numbers, which can be misleading. Real-world performance is influenced by a multitude of factors that these ratios can't fully capture.

The context in which the boat is intended to be used (e.g., coastal cruising vs. offshore racing) can greatly affect how these ratios should be interpreted.

In summary, while these ratios provide valuable insights into the theoretical performance characteristics of a sailboat, they should be used as part of a broader assessment that includes practical experience, sea trials, and expert advice.

However, based on the published design ratios, the theoretical sailing characteristics of the Hunter 34 sailboat can be summarized as follows:

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio (17.61): This ratio indicates that the Hunter 34 has reasonably good performance. It falls within the 16 to 20 range, suggesting it is adequately powered for sailing and should perform well under most conditions.

Ballast/Displacement Ratio (42.30%): With a ballast/displacement ratio above 40, the Hunter 34 is considered a stiffer and more powerful boat. This means it can stand up well to the wind, providing stability and reducing heeling under sail.

Displacement/Length Ratio (234): The displacement/length ratio places the Hunter 34 in the moderate displacement category (200-275). This suggests it has a good balance of speed and comfort, requiring a moderate amount of sail area to reach its design hull speed.

Comfort Ratio (23.25): The comfort ratio indicates a somewhat lively motion, typical of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability. This means the boat should handle coastal conditions well but may feel more active in rougher seas.

Capsize Ratio (2.04): The capsize ratio of just over 2.0 suggests that the Hunter 34 is on the edge of being considered suitable for ocean passages. While it is designed more for coastal cruising, it should still offer reasonable safety and stability in less extreme conditions.

These ratios collectively paint a picture of the Hunter 34 as a well-rounded coastal cruiser with good performance, stability, and moderate comfort.

Here's what Practical Sailor magazine had to say about the Hunter 34...

More Specs & Key Performance Indicators for Popular Cruising Boats

30' to 35'

35' to 40'

40' to 45'

45' to 50'

50' to 55'

Over 55'

This article was written with the assistance of Copilot, a large language model developed by Microsoft. Copilot was used to gather information, summarize research findings, and provide suggestions for the content and structure of the article.