The Spencer 34 is and respectable in club racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.0 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 27.0′, the Spencer 34 tops out around 7.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √27.0′ LWL = 7.0 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
139s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Ballast / Displacement
46.0%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
227
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Hull Speed
7.0kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
6lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Spencer 34 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Schock 34 Pc
San Juan 34
Spencer 34
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Pearson 34
Tartan 33
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Spencer 34.
| Spencer 34 | Pearson 34 | S2 103 | San Juan 34 | Schock 34 Pc | Tartan 33 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 33.8 | 33.8 | 33.8 | 33.8 | 33.8 | 33.7 |
| LWL | 27.0 | 28.1 | 28.0 | 27.9 | 28.7 | 28.8 |
| Beam | 11.1 | 11.2 | 11.3 | 10.9 | 11.6 | 11.0 |
| Displacement | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Ballast | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Sail Area | — | 550 | 564 | 548 | 545 | 531 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 139 | 144 | — | 132 | 117 | 153 |
| SA/Disp | — | 17.6 | 18.9 | 18.4 | 18.4 | 18.4 |
| Bal/Disp | 46.0 | — | — | 45.7 | 37.2 | — |
| Comfort | — | 23.4 | 21.5 | 22.6 | 20.3 | 21.0 |
| Capsize | — | 2.00 | 2.07 | 2.00 | 2.13 | 2.04 |
| Hull Speed | — | 7.1 | 7.1 | 7.1 | 7.2 | 7.2 |