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Dash 34

Designer: Laurie Davidson  ·  Builder: Dash Marine Industries (Usa)  ·  First built: 1981
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About the Dash 34

Designed by renowned naval architect Laurie Davidson and built by Dash Marine Industries from 1981 to 1984, this 34-footer represents a focused approach to performance-oriented sailing. Davidson, known for his work on America's Cup yachts and high-performance racing designs, brought his expertise to bear on this relatively lightweight cruiser-racer that tips the scales at just 5,200 pounds. The Dash 34's fractional sloop rig and fin keel with spade rudder configuration delivers responsive handling and solid upwind performance, while the generous sail area creates impressive light-air capabilities. With a comfort ratio of 10.7, this boat leans decidedly toward the performance end of the spectrum, making it an excellent choice for sailors who prioritize speed and agility over interior volume. The fin keel design with 2,450 pounds of ballast provides stability without sacrificing the quick helm response that racing sailors appreciate. This combination makes the Dash 34 well-suited for coastal cruising, club racing, and spirited day sailing. While not intended for extended offshore passages due to its light displacement, the boat excels in conditions where performance and handling take precedence over creature comforts.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 34.04 ft / 10.38 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 29.42 ft / 8.97 m
Beam 11.00 ft / 3.35 m
Max Draft 6.25 ft / 1.91 m
Displacement 5,200.00 lb / 2,359 kg
Ballast 2,450.00 lb / 1,111 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 493.00 ft² / 45.80 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Laurie Davidson
Builder Dash Marine Industries (USA)
First Built 1981
Last Built 1984
Related Sailboats J/34 · Olson 34 · Express 34 · Seidelmann 34 · Sweden Yachts 340
Owner Reviews

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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
 105
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 26.36
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
 47.12
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
 91.16
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 10.7
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 2.54
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.27 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 5.91
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. 1,156.33 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 26.35
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 35.50 ft / 10.82 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.50 ft / 3.51 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 38.50 ft / 11.73 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
SA Fore 204.13 ft² / 18.96 m²
SA Main 288.75 ft² / 26.83 m²
SA Total (100%) 492.88 ft² / 45.79 m²
Est. Forestay Length 37.32 ft / 11.38 m
How It Compares

vs. Express 34, J/34, Olson 34, Seidelmann 34, Sweden Yachts 340

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Dash 34 ★
34.0 ft
Express 34
34.0 ft
J/34
34.1 ft
Olson 34
34.0 ft
Seidelmann 34
34.0 ft
Sweden Yachts 340
34.0 ft
LWL
Dash 34 ★
29.4 ft
Express 34
28.3 ft
J/34
28.5 ft
Olson 34
28.0 ft
Seidelmann 34
26.5 ft
Sweden Yachts 340
27.9 ft
Beam
Dash 34 ★
11.0 ft
Express 34
10.5 ft
J/34
11.4 ft
Olson 34
10.8 ft
Seidelmann 34
11.8 ft
Sweden Yachts 340
11.5 ft
Displacement
Dash 34 ★
5 lbs
Express 34
8 lbs
J/34
9 lbs
Olson 34
8 lbs
Seidelmann 34
11 lbs
Sweden Yachts 340
12 lbs
Ballast
Dash 34 ★
2 lbs
Express 34
3 lbs
J/34
3 lbs
Olson 34
3 lbs
Seidelmann 34
5 lbs
Sweden Yachts 340
5 lbs
Sail Area
Dash 34 ★
493 sq ft
Express 34
534 sq ft
J/34
525 sq ft
Olson 34
575 sq ft
Seidelmann 34
517 sq ft
Sweden Yachts 340
598 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Dash 34 ★
105 s/nm
Express 34
98 s/nm
J/34
120 s/nm
Olson 34
108 s/nm
Seidelmann 34
158 s/nm
Sweden Yachts 340
—
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Dash 34 ★
26.4
Express 34
20.6
J/34
20.1
Olson 34
22.2
Seidelmann 34
16.8
Sweden Yachts 340
17.7
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Dash 34 ★
47.1 %
Express 34
—
J/34
41.3 %
Olson 34
—
Seidelmann 34
—
Sweden Yachts 340
41.1 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Dash 34 ★
10.7
Express 34
19.1
J/34
26.2
Olson 34
18.5
Seidelmann 34
22.0
Sweden Yachts 340
25.3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Dash 34 ★
2.54
Express 34
2.06
J/34
1.71
Olson 34
2.13
Seidelmann 34
2.13
Sweden Yachts 340
1.98
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Dash 34 ★
91
Express 34
—
J/34
127
Olson 34
—
Seidelmann 34
—
Sweden Yachts 340
258
Hull Speed
Dash 34 ★
7.3 kts
Express 34
7.1 kts
J/34
8.2 kts
Olson 34
7.1 kts
Seidelmann 34
6.9 kts
Sweden Yachts 340
7.1 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Dash 34 ★
5.9
Express 34
3.6
J/34
—
Olson 34
3.5
Seidelmann 34
2.0
Sweden Yachts 340
2.1
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