The Gale Force 34 is a heavy-displacement long-keel bluewater cutter designed by John Kaiser Sr. and built by Kaiser Yachts Associates in Wilmington, Delaware, from 1977. Drawing inspiration from classic double-enders but with a squared-off transom, the 34 was purpose-built for offshore passage-making with a famously "overbuilt" fiberglass layup, deep full keel, and cutter rig. Kaiser also produced a larger 39-foot Gale Force on the same philosophy. The Gale Force 34 earned Golden Globe Race eligibility, and Elliott Smith — the youngest skipper in the 2022 GGR — sailed his Gale Force 34 "Second Wind" in that race before retiring with rig damage.
No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.
What is the Gale Force 34's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Gale Force 34 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 16.33. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Gale Force 34's comfort ratio?
The Gale Force 34 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 40.42. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Gale Force 34 safe for offshore sailing?
The Gale Force 34 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.6. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Gale Force 34?
The theoretical hull speed of the Gale Force 34 is 7.09 knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Gale Force 34 weigh?
The Gale Force 34 has a displacement of 18,000 and a length overall (LOA) of 34.08.
Who designed the Gale Force 34?
The Gale Force 34 was designed by John Kaiser Sr., first built in 1977.