The Etap 34S is aggressively canvassed for its weight, 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 29.8′, the Etap 34S tops out around 7.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √29.8′ LWL = 7.3 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
23.5
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
32.0%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
169
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
19.0
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.15
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
19.0
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
2.15
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 Etap 34S sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Jeanneau One Design 35
84s/nm
Ericson 34 2
144s/nm
Sadler 34
173s/nm
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° |
3.4 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.2 |
5.3 |
5.9 |
6.1 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.1 |
6.5 |
7.2 |
7.8 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.7 |
6.0 |
6.7 |
7.2 |
| Run150–180° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.3 |
5.6 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.3 kts),
SA/D (23.5), 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 Etap 34S — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–16 kts
16–24 kts
24+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–16 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
16–24 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
24+ 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 Etap 34S.
|
Etap 34S |
Bavaria 35 Exclusive |
Ericson 34 2 |
Etap 35I |
Jeanneau One Design 35 |
Sadler 34 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
34.9 |
34.9 |
34.8 |
34.8 |
34.8 |
34.8 |
| LWL |
29.8 |
29.4 |
29.0 |
29.0 |
29.7 |
27.8 |
| Beam |
11.6 |
11.3 |
11.3 |
11.5 |
11.5 |
10.8 |
| Displacement |
10 |
11 |
13 |
11 |
8 |
12 |
| Ballast |
3 |
3 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
5 |
| Sail Area |
680 |
769 |
— |
— |
588 |
496 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
144 |
— |
84 |
173 |
| SA/Disp |
23.5 |
24.6 |
— |
— |
23.5 |
14.6 |
| Bal/Disp |
32.0 |
35.3 |
40.0 |
33.5 |
34.1 |
39.1 |
| Comfort |
19.0 |
22.1 |
— |
22.2 |
15.5 |
28.0 |
| Capsize |
2.15 |
2.02 |
— |
2.05 |
2.29 |
1.84 |
| Hull Speed |
7.3 |
7.3 |
— |
7.2 |
7.3 |
7.1 |