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Nordic 34
Designer: Robert Perry  ·  Builder: Nordic Yachts  ·  First built: 1985
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About the Nordic 34

Designed with serious cruising in mind, the Nordic 34 earned a strong reputation among bluewater sailors looking for a capable and seaworthy coastal and offshore cruiser. Built by Nordic Yachts, a Scandinavian-influenced brand known for prioritizing safety and performance in challenging conditions, this model reflects a design philosophy rooted in making capable passages with confidence and comfort. The Nordic 34 is generally regarded as a well-built, sturdy vessel with a hull form suited to handling open water conditions, making it a practical choice for those who venture beyond sheltered coastal waters. Its reputation leans toward dependability rather than flashiness, appealing to sailors who value solid construction and predictable sea manners over racing pedigree. The boat attracts a loyal following among experienced cruisers who appreciate a vessel that inspires confidence in a variety of conditions. For buyers researching a mid-size cruiser with offshore potential, the Nordic 34 is worth a closer look, particularly for those prioritizing build quality and a proven track record on the water over cutting-edge performance metrics.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 34.33 ft / 10.46 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
Beam 11.00 ft / 3.35 m
Max Draft 6.16 ft / 1.88 m
Displacement 10,656.00 lb / 4,833 kg
Ballast 3,771.00 lb / 1,710 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 546.00 ft² / 50.73 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Robert Perry
Builder Nordic Yachts
First Built 1985
Last Built 1991
Related Sailboats ["Tartan 34 2" · "Sabre 34 2" · "Hunter 34" · "J/105" · "Tanzer 105"]
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
 135
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
 18.1
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
 22.59
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
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. 7.09
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
 2.63
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. 1.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 43.8
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.8
P (Mainsail Luff) 38.1
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.8
SA Fore 302.22
SA Main 243.84
How It Compares

vs. Hunter 34, J/105, Sabre 34 2

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Nordic 34 ★
34.3 ft
Hunter 34
34.4 ft
J/105
34.5 ft
Sabre 34 2
34.2 ft
LWL
Nordic 34 ★
28.0 ft
Hunter 34
28.3 ft
J/105
30.0 ft
Sabre 34 2
28.3 ft
Beam
Nordic 34 ★
11.0 ft
Hunter 34
11.6 ft
J/105
11.0 ft
Sabre 34 2
11.2 ft
Displacement
Nordic 34 ★
10 lbs
Hunter 34
11 lbs
J/105
7 lbs
Sabre 34 2
11 lbs
Ballast
Nordic 34 ★
3 lbs
Hunter 34
5 lbs
J/105
3 lbs
Sabre 34 2
4 lbs
Sail Area
Nordic 34 ★
546 sq ft
Hunter 34
567 sq ft
J/105
600 sq ft
Sabre 34 2
541 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Nordic 34 ★
135 s/nm
Hunter 34
159 s/nm
J/105
90 s/nm
Sabre 34 2
156 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Nordic 34 ★
18.1
Hunter 34
17.5
J/105
24.1
Sabre 34 2
17.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Nordic 34 ★
—
Hunter 34
42.3 %
J/105
44.9 %
Sabre 34 2
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Nordic 34 ★
22.6
Hunter 34
23.1
J/105
22.3
Sabre 34 2
23.8
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Nordic 34 ★
2.00
Hunter 34
2.04
J/105
1.66
Sabre 34 2
1.98
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Nordic 34 ★
—
Hunter 34
234
J/105
103
Sabre 34 2
—
Hull Speed
Nordic 34 ★
7.1 kts
Hunter 34
7.1 kts
J/105
8.4 kts
Sabre 34 2
7.1 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Nordic 34 ★
2.6
Hunter 34
—
J/105
—
Sabre 34 2
2.4
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