O'Day 34

Description

The O'Day 34 is an American-built racer-cruiser sailboat designed by C. Raymond Hunt Associates (with John Deknatel) and first produced in 1978 by O'Day Corp. in Fall River, Massachusetts, as a spacious evolution of the O'Day 30 emphasizing balanced performance for coastal cruising or club racing, generous liveaboard accommodations, and forgiving seaworthiness with an average PHRF handicap around 150 signaling solid speed potential. Constructed from balsa-cored fiberglass with a fin keel and spade rudder for responsive handling (standard 4.92-foot draft or optional shoal 4-foot wing keel), it displaces 11,500 pounds with 4,300 pounds of encapsulated lead ballast, measures 34 feet LOA, 28 feet LWL, and 11 feet beam, achieving a hull speed of 7.0 knots and approximately 550 square feet of sail area under its standard masthead sloop rig powered by a reliable 27 HP Yanmar 3GM30F diesel inboard with 25 gallons of fuel and 40 gallons of water capacity. Renowned for its moderate displacement/length ratio of 216 and sail area/displacement ratio of 16 enabling respectable upwind ability in moderate winds, bright teak-trimmed interior boasting 6'2" headroom across two private cabins (V-berth forward and aft double), U-shaped galley, nav station, enclosed head with shower, and convertible saloon sleeping up to six, plus wheel steering and a walkthrough transom for cockpit ease, the O'Day 34 was produced through 1984 with around 250 units built before evolving into the O'Day 35 with a minor transom extension, enduring as an affordable, low-maintenance classic for sailors valuing Hunt's elegant lines, forgiving stability, and surprising volume in a mid-30s package.