The Aloa 34 is modestly canvassed and unhurried, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 24.3′, the Aloa 34 tops out around 6.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √24.3′ LWL = 6.6 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
14.0
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Ballast / Displacement
40.0%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
279
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
21.4
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.09
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
942lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
21.4
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.09
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Aloa 34 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.4 |
3.0 |
3.4 |
3.5 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Run150–180° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.6 kts),
SA/D (14.0), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Aloa 34 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–24 kts
24–34 kts
34+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–24 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
24–34 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
34+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Aloa 34.
|
Aloa 34 |
Aloha 34 |
Contest 34 |
Formosa 34 |
Rival 34 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
34.0 |
34.0 |
34.0 |
34.0 |
34.0 |
| LWL |
24.3 |
28.7 |
27.6 |
29.5 |
24.8 |
| Beam |
10.8 |
11.2 |
11.2 |
11.8 |
9.7 |
| Displacement |
8 |
13 |
16 |
13 |
11 |
| Ballast |
3 |
4 |
7 |
4 |
4 |
| Sail Area |
376 |
531 |
484 |
— |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
186 |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
14.0 |
15.0 |
12.1 |
— |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
40.0 |
34.6 |
43.2 |
30.9 |
39.5 |
| Comfort |
21.4 |
27.9 |
34.4 |
25.4 |
— |
| Capsize |
2.09 |
1.88 |
1.76 |
1.99 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
6.6 |
7.2 |
7.0 |
7.3 |
— |