The Bonin 34 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
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 30.8′, the Bonin 34 tops out around 7.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √30.8′ LWL = 7.4 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
19.5
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Displacement / Length
138
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
16.6
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.27
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
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
16.6
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.27
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 Bonin 34 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
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° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.8 |
4.9 |
5.4 |
5.7 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.7 |
6.0 |
6.7 |
7.2 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.4 |
5.5 |
6.1 |
6.7 |
| Run150–180° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.4 kts),
SA/D (19.5), 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 Bonin 34 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ 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 Bonin 34.
|
Bonin 34 |
Jpk 1010 |
Ker 33 |
Salona 34 |
Sun Fast 3300 Jeanneau |
X 99 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
32.8 |
32.8 |
32.8 |
32.8 |
32.8 |
32.7 |
| LWL |
30.8 |
28.7 |
32.8 |
30.1 |
30.5 |
27.7 |
| Beam |
11.8 |
11.1 |
12.0 |
11.0 |
11.2 |
9.7 |
| Displacement |
9 |
8 |
8 |
10 |
7 |
6 |
| Ballast |
— |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
| Sail Area |
527 |
624 |
521 |
748 |
570 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
111 |
| SA/Disp |
19.5 |
24.3 |
20.5 |
24.6 |
23.3 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
43.4 |
— |
— |
41.4 |
45.7 |
| Comfort |
16.6 |
17.5 |
14.3 |
22.2 |
15.3 |
— |
| Capsize |
2.27 |
2.19 |
2.37 |
1.99 |
2.26 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
7.4 |
7.2 |
7.7 |
7.4 |
7.4 |
— |