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Rival 34
Designer: Peter Brett  ·  Builder: Southern Shipbuilding (Uk)  ·  First built: 1972
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About the Rival 34

Produced by the British yard Rival Bowman during the 1970s and 1980s, the Rival 34 earned a strong reputation as a serious bluewater cruising yacht built to withstand the demands of extended offshore passages. Designed with safety and seakeeping firmly in mind, it became a favourite among sailors planning long-distance voyages, including ocean crossings, and many examples have logged impressive miles across the world's major sailing routes. The boat is characterised by its robust construction, conservative hull lines, and a no-nonsense approach to offshore capability. Its deep, sea-kindly hull provides reassuring stability in challenging conditions, while the layout and build quality reflect the priorities of a cruising couple or small crew spending extended time aboard. Rival yachts in general developed a loyal following for their reliability and ability to look after their crew when conditions deteriorate. For anyone researching a capable, proven bluewater cruiser with genuine offshore credentials and a respected heritage within British sailing, the Rival 34 is well worth serious consideration. Well-maintained examples continue to attract dedicated owners drawn to its dependable character.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 34.00 ft / 10.36 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.83 ft / 7.57 m
Beam 9.67 ft / 2.95 m
Max Draft 5.83 ft / 1.78 m
Displacement 11,900.00 lb / 5,398 kg
Ballast 4,696.00 lb / 2,130 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Peter Brett
Builder Southern Shipbuilding (UK)
First Built 1972
Number Built 174
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Performance Ratios
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
39.46
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
347.03
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. 5.15 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 13.89
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.68 ft / 3.86 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 451.00 ft² / 41.90 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 347.03
How It Compares

vs. Bristol 333, Hans Christian 34, Morgan 33, North Sea 33, Sail Yacht 35 Chris Craft

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Rival 34 ★
34.0 ft
Bristol 333
33.3 ft
Hans Christian 34
34.0 ft
Morgan 33
33.3 ft
North Sea 33
33.3 ft
Sail Yacht 35 Chris Craft
35.0 ft
LWL
Rival 34 ★
24.8 ft
Bristol 333
26.7 ft
Hans Christian 34
29.2 ft
Morgan 33
24.3 ft
North Sea 33
27.5 ft
Sail Yacht 35 Chris Craft
28.5 ft
Beam
Rival 34 ★
9.7 ft
Bristol 333
11.2 ft
Hans Christian 34
11.0 ft
Morgan 33
9.3 ft
North Sea 33
10.6 ft
Sail Yacht 35 Chris Craft
11.0 ft
Displacement
Rival 34 ★
11 lbs
Bristol 333
14 lbs
Hans Christian 34
19 lbs
Morgan 33
11 lbs
North Sea 33
16 lbs
Sail Yacht 35 Chris Craft
18 lbs
Ballast
Rival 34 ★
4 lbs
Bristol 333
5 lbs
Hans Christian 34
7 lbs
Morgan 33
5 lbs
North Sea 33
5 lbs
Sail Yacht 35 Chris Craft
5 lbs
Sail Area
Rival 34 ★
Bristol 333
562 sq ft
Hans Christian 34
676 sq ft
Morgan 33
502 sq ft
North Sea 33
Sail Yacht 35 Chris Craft
563 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Rival 34 ★
Bristol 333
Hans Christian 34
201 s/nm
Morgan 33
174 s/nm
North Sea 33
Sail Yacht 35 Chris Craft
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Rival 34 ★
Bristol 333
15.2
Hans Christian 34
15.0
Morgan 33
16.3
North Sea 33
Sail Yacht 35 Chris Craft
13.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Rival 34 ★
39.5 %
Bristol 333
38.6 %
Hans Christian 34
37.1 %
Morgan 33
45.5 %
North Sea 33
32.9 %
Sail Yacht 35 Chris Craft
27.6 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Rival 34 ★
Bristol 333
31.4
Hans Christian 34
40.2
Morgan 33
32.2
North Sea 33
Sail Yacht 35 Chris Craft
37.7
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Rival 34 ★
Bristol 333
1.84
Hans Christian 34
1.64
Morgan 33
1.68
North Sea 33
Sail Yacht 35 Chris Craft
1.68
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Rival 34 ★
347
Bristol 333
341
Hans Christian 34
349
Morgan 33
343
North Sea 33
352
Sail Yacht 35 Chris Craft
349
Hull Speed
Rival 34 ★
Bristol 333
6.9 kts
Hans Christian 34
7.2 kts
Morgan 33
6.6 kts
North Sea 33
Sail Yacht 35 Chris Craft
7.2 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Rival 34 ★
Bristol 333
1.3
Hans Christian 34
Morgan 33
1.4
North Sea 33
Sail Yacht 35 Chris Craft
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