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Olson 34
Designer: George Olson  ·  Builder: Pacific Boats Inc.  ·  First built: 1986
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About the Olson 34

Designed by George Olson and built by Pacific Seacraft in the early 1980s, the Olson 34 earned a devoted following among West Coast sailors looking for a fast, lightweight racer-cruiser that could hold its own on the racecourse without sacrificing offshore capability. Olson had already proven his design philosophy with the wildly popular Olson 30, and the 34 carried that same DNA — emphasizing speed through a light displacement hull, clean lines, and efficient sail area. The Olson 34 is particularly well suited to coastal and offshore racing, where its performance-oriented design rewards skilled sailors in a range of conditions. It remains a competitive one-design option in certain regional fleets, a testament to how well the design has aged. While not a luxury cruiser, it offers enough interior comfort for weekend passages and short offshore runs, making it an appealing dual-purpose option. For buyers seeking an affordable entry into performance sailing with genuine racing pedigree, the Olson 34 represents a compelling choice. Its active class community also means parts knowledge and competitive racing opportunities are more accessible than with many boats of its era.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 34.00 ft / 10.36 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
Beam 10.83 ft / 3.30 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement 8,500.00 lb / 3,856 kg
Ballast 3,500.00 lb / 1,588 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 575.00 ft² / 53.42 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG w/balsa core hull & deck
Designer George Olson
Builder Pacific Boats Inc.
First Built 1986
Last Built 1986
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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
 108
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
 22.16
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
 18.46
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
 2.13
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
 3.48
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) 42.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.25
P (Mainsail Luff) 37.25
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.5
SA Fore 278.25
SA Main 251.44
Find a Olson 34 For Sale
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