Back to Search
Chinook 34
Designer: Frederick Geiger  ·  Builder: Yacht Constructors, Inc (Usa)  ·  First built: 1956
+ Add to Compare
About the Chinook 34

Originally developed in the Pacific Northwest, this 34-foot sailboat emerged from a region renowned for building robust coastal cruisers capable of handling challenging conditions. The Chinook 34 represents practical Northwest design philosophy, prioritizing seaworthiness and comfort over racing performance. Built with moderate displacement characteristics typical of cruising boats from this era, the design emphasizes stability and interior volume. The hull form suggests capability for both protected water sailing and coastal passages, making it well-suited for sailors seeking a versatile platform for weekend cruising and extended coastal exploration. While detailed specifications remain limited, the boat's proportions indicate thoughtful accommodation planning within the 34-foot length. The cockpit and deck layout reflect the practical needs of cruising sailors, with emphasis on ease of handling and crew safety during longer passages. The Chinook 34's regional heritage connects it to the tradition of Pacific Northwest sailboat building, where designers understood the demands of sailing in variable conditions ranging from protected inland waters to exposed coastal areas. This background suggests a boat designed for durability and long-term cruising comfort rather than pure performance, appealing to sailors prioritizing reliability and livability over speed.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 34.00 ft / 10.36 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.00 ft / 7.01 m
Beam 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
Max Draft 6.50 ft / 1.98 m
Displacement 12,000.00 lb / 5,443 kg
Ballast 4,500.00 lb / 2,041 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Frederick Geiger
Builder Yacht Constructors, Inc (USA)
First Built 1956
Last Built 1968
Number Built 70
Related Sailboats Columbia 34 · Morgan 34 · Melody 34 Hunt · Saxon 34 · Legend 34
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
201
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
37.5
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
440.3
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 4.44 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 3.83 ft / 1.17 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 530.00 ft² / 49.24 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 440.30
How It Compares

vs. Columbia 34, Legend 34, Melody 34 Hunt, Morgan 34, Saxon 34

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Chinook 34 ★
34.0 ft
Columbia 34
34.0 ft
Legend 34
34.0 ft
Melody 34 Hunt
34.0 ft
Morgan 34
34.0 ft
Saxon 34
34.0 ft
LWL
Chinook 34 ★
23.0 ft
Columbia 34
23.6 ft
Legend 34
25.8 ft
Melody 34 Hunt
22.0 ft
Morgan 34
24.8 ft
Saxon 34
26.6 ft
Beam
Chinook 34 ★
9.0 ft
Columbia 34
9.9 ft
Legend 34
10.0 ft
Melody 34 Hunt
11.0 ft
Morgan 34
10.0 ft
Saxon 34
9.6 ft
Displacement
Chinook 34 ★
12 lbs
Columbia 34
10 lbs
Legend 34
9 lbs
Melody 34 Hunt
8 lbs
Morgan 34
12 lbs
Saxon 34
17 lbs
Ballast
Chinook 34 ★
4 lbs
Columbia 34
4 lbs
Legend 34
3 lbs
Melody 34 Hunt
1 lbs
Morgan 34
5 lbs
Saxon 34
Sail Area
Chinook 34 ★
Columbia 34
466 sq ft
Legend 34
610 sq ft
Melody 34 Hunt
464 sq ft
Morgan 34
545 sq ft
Saxon 34
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Chinook 34 ★
201 s/nm
Columbia 34
210 s/nm
Legend 34
Melody 34 Hunt
Morgan 34
195 s/nm
Saxon 34
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Chinook 34 ★
Columbia 34
15.6
Legend 34
22.4
Melody 34 Hunt
18.6
Morgan 34
16.3
Saxon 34
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Chinook 34 ★
37.5 %
Columbia 34
40.0 %
Legend 34
38.6 %
Melody 34 Hunt
Morgan 34
Saxon 34
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Chinook 34 ★
Columbia 34
28.6
Legend 34
23.2
Melody 34 Hunt
19.8
Morgan 34
32.7
Saxon 34
46.4
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Chinook 34 ★
Columbia 34
1.82
Legend 34
1.92
Melody 34 Hunt
2.20
Morgan 34
1.73
Saxon 34
1.48
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Chinook 34 ★
440
Columbia 34
357
Legend 34
237
Melody 34 Hunt
Morgan 34
Saxon 34
417
Hull Speed
Chinook 34 ★
Columbia 34
6.5 kts
Legend 34
6.8 kts
Melody 34 Hunt
6.3 kts
Morgan 34
6.7 kts
Saxon 34
6.9 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Chinook 34 ★
Columbia 34
1.3
Legend 34
Melody 34 Hunt
Morgan 34
1.3
Saxon 34
Find a Chinook 34 For Sale