The Pearson 34 2 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages, and respectable in club racing.
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 28.2′, the Pearson 34 2 tops out around 7.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √28.2′ LWL = 7.1 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
146s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
SA / Displacement
17.0
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Comfort Ratio
23.5
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.02
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
23.5
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.02
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 Pearson 34 2 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Pearson 34 2
146s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Moody 346
156s/nm
Hunter 34
159s/nm
Irwin 34
171s/nm
Tartan 34 2
174s/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° |
2.8 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.2 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.2 |
5.3 |
5.9 |
6.2 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
5.7 |
| Run150–180° |
3.1 |
3.9 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.1 kts),
SA/D (17.0), 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 Pearson 34 2 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ 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 Pearson 34 2.
|
Pearson 34 2 |
Hunter 34 |
Irwin 34 |
Jeanneau 342 |
Moody 346 |
Tartan 34 2 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
34.5 |
34.4 |
34.6 |
34.5 |
34.5 |
34.4 |
| LWL |
28.2 |
28.3 |
27.3 |
29.5 |
27.9 |
28.8 |
| Beam |
11.5 |
11.6 |
11.3 |
11.8 |
11.6 |
11.0 |
| Displacement |
11 |
11 |
11 |
12 |
11 |
11 |
| Ballast |
4 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
| Sail Area |
550 |
567 |
544 |
570 |
— |
538 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
146 |
159 |
171 |
— |
156 |
174 |
| SA/Disp |
17.0 |
17.5 |
17.1 |
16.8 |
— |
17.5 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
42.3 |
39.1 |
35.1 |
40.2 |
40.0 |
| Comfort |
23.5 |
23.1 |
24.0 |
23.2 |
— |
23.0 |
| Capsize |
2.02 |
2.04 |
2.00 |
2.04 |
— |
1.97 |
| Hull Speed |
7.1 |
7.1 |
7.0 |
7.3 |
— |
7.2 |