Peterson 34
Description
The Peterson 34 is a classic IOR (International Offshore Rule)-influenced racer-cruiser sailboat designed by legendary naval architect Doug Peterson in 1976. Built primarily by Island Yachts and Composite Technologies (with some in Argentina) from 1976 to 1981, approximately 91 hulls were produced, making it a relatively rare but enduring design. Intended as a "7/8 Tonner"—a step down from Peterson's successful One Ton Cup winners—it features less extreme rule-stretching in the stern sections for better cruising balance, combining agile racing performance with offshore seaworthiness. The masthead sloop rig delivers responsive handling and excellent upwind ability (35–40° apparent tacking angles), while the fin keel/spade rudder setup ensures minimal leeway and a hull speed of 7.12 knots. At 34 feet, it's ideal for club racing or coastal cruising with 4–5 crew, offering a functional interior with V-berth forward, saloon settees, galley, nav station, and quarter berths. Owners praise its stiff, dry ride in heavy air and light-air speed, though it's spartan belowdecks by modern standards.
Construction Details
| Designer | Doug Peterson |
|---|---|
| Builder | Island Yacht Corp. USA |
| Length | 33.917 ft |
| LOA | 33.917 ft |
| LWL | 28.250 ft |
| Beam | 11.250 ft |
| Displacement | 10800 lb |
| Ballast | 4899 lb |
| Max Draft | 6.250 ft |
| Year Built | 1976 |
The standard boat dimensions
| i | 45.50 ft |
|---|---|
| j | 14.50 ft |
| p | 40.25 ft |
| e | 11 ft |
| p2 | - |
| e2 | - |
| i2 | - |
| j2 | - |
| I | J | P | E | P2 | E2 | I2 | J2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45.50 ft | 14.50 ft | 40.25 ft | 11 ft | - | - | - | - |
Documents
Sails
Peterson 34 - MAINSAIL
| Luff | * 40.25 ft - (12268 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 11 ft - (3353 mm) |
| Leech | * 41.24 ft - (12570 mm) |
| Tack Angle | * 87.98 ° |
| Diagonal | * 41.35 ft - (12603 mm) |
| Head (inches) | * 5.25 in - (133 mm) |
| Area | 221.15 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Peterson 34 - JIBSAIL
| Luff | * 38.2 ft - (11643 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 19.19 ft - (5849 mm) |
| Leech | * 33.19 ft - (10116 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 115 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 16.68 ft - (5084 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 12 ° |
| Area | 318.45 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Peterson 34 - GENOA
| Luff | * 45.37 ft - (13829 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 23.41 ft - (7135 mm) |
| Leech | * 42.68 ft - (13009 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 150 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 21.75 ft - (6629 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 4 ° |
| Area | 493.48 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Peterson 34 - SPINNAKER
| Stays | * 45.37 ft - (13829 mm) |
|---|---|
| MidGirth | * 26.1 ft - (7955 mm) |
| Foot | * 26.1 ft - (7955 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 180 % |
| Area | 1006.53 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Disclaimer. Boats are not all the same -- even when produced in the same factory of the same model. Sailrite does its best to publish accurate dimensions, but we often find it worthwhile to have our customers measure their boats carefully before we produce kits for them. You should take the same precautions, especially when the data is not from Sailrite. The information on this site is not guaranteed to be accurate. Sailrite offers this content as a service to our community, but takes no responsibility for the reliability of the data provided.