The T-34 emerges as a distinctive performance cruiser, designed for sailors who demand both exhilarating speed and comfortable liveability. Conceived by the renowned naval architect Marco Lostuzzi and brought to life by the Italian shipyard T-Yachts, this monohull sailboat, first launched in 2011, embodies a "Cruiser-Racer" philosophy, blending competitive sailing dynamics with a well-appointed interior suitable for fast cruising. It quickly gained a reputation for being a very fast yacht, particularly well-suited for doublehanded sailing.
T-34 Information, Review, Specs
- Make
- Model
- Number Built
- Production Year(s)
- 2011 - ??
History and Design
The genesis of the T-34 is deeply rooted in the collaboration between T-Yachts and Marco Lostuzzi, whose design studio had been established in 1997. T-Yachts itself began its journey in San Canzian D'Isonzo, Italy, in the year 2000, likely as a dedicated facility for Lostuzzi's performance-oriented designs. The T-34 was a significant milestone for the company, entering production in 2011 and becoming a prominent vessel directly associated with the T-Yachts brand.
Lostuzzi's overarching design philosophy, which T-Yachts embraced, centers on creating yachts that offer competitive performance without sacrificing cruising comfort. This ethos is evident in the T-34, characterized by its sleek lines and hydrodynamically optimized hull, reflecting a consistent focus on speed, ease of handling, and inherent comfort. The builder utilized modern GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) for the hull, a standard for high-performance production yachts of its era, ensuring both strength and lightness.
Sailing Performance and Handling
The T-34's design ratios underscore its intent as a lively and capable performer. With a Sail Area to Displacement (SA/D) ratio of approximately 24.07, she boasts a generous sail plan relative to her weight, indicating strong performance in lighter air conditions and a responsiveness that performance sailors appreciate. Her Ballast to Displacement (B/D) ratio of roughly 0.365 suggests a moderately stiff boat, capable of standing up to a good breeze while maintaining a comfortable motion. Furthermore, a Displacement to Length (D/L) ratio of around 149.39 categorizes the T-34 as a light and highly performance-oriented vessel, promising agile handling and efficient progress through the water. The T-34 is described as a light sailboat and a very high performer, stable, and stiff.
Anecdotal reports align with these figures, praising the T-34 as a "rocketship" with excellent ORC/IRC potential, highlighting its suitability for racing. Its fractional sloop rig, featuring smaller headsails, contributes to easier tacking, which is a significant advantage for short-handed sailing. The T-34's design aims for optimal hydrodynamics, making it a "very fast" yacht that is "excellent for doublehanded sailing."
Accommodations and Layout
While detailed specifications of the T-34's interior layout are not extensively documented in public records, it is consistently described as featuring a "fully-appointed interior," indicating a thoughtful and complete fit-out for cruising comfort. The option of both "Cruising interior upholstery plus racing interior upholstery" suggests a versatile design that can cater to different owner priorities, allowing for either a more robust, race-focused setup or a softer, more comfortable cruising ambiance. This dual approach aligns with the T-Yachts philosophy of blending performance with liveability. Given its length overall of just under 33 feet, a typical performance cruiser of this size would likely feature a V-berth forward, a main salon with settees and a table, a compact galley, and a private head compartment, often with a quarter berth or two aft.
Owner's Perspectives
Owners and brokers consistently praise the T-Yachts T-34 for its "great build quality and fantastic design." Its "rocketship performance" and "great ORC/IRC potential" are frequently cited strengths, appealing to those who enjoy competitive sailing. Beyond its racing prowess, the T-34 is also recognized as "well suited to fast cruising thanks to her fully-appointed interior," making it a versatile choice for both private owners and the race charter market. The emphasis on speed, ease of handling, and suitability for doublehanded sailing are recurrent themes, highlighting its appeal to discerning sailors who value intelligent design and a lively sailing experience. Specific common problems or weaknesses are not widely reported in publicly available information.
Measurements
Construction & Hull
- Construction Material
- Fiberglass (Solid)
- Hull Type
- Monohull Sailboat
- Keel Type
- Bulb
- Rudder
- 1x Spade
- Ballast
- 2976 lbs
- Displacement
- 8157 lbs
- Water Capacity
- 32 gal
- Fuel Capacity
- 16 gal
Engine
- Engine Make
- Volvo Penta
- Engine Model
- D1-20
- Engine Type
- —
- Engine HP
- 18
- Engine Count
- 1
- Drive Type
- —
- Fuel Type
- Diesel
Rig & Sails
- Rig Type
- Fractional Sloop
- P (Main Luff)
- 42.58 ft
- E (Main Foot)
- 15.75 ft
- I (Foretriangle Height)
- 44.13 ft
- J (Foretriangle Base)
- 12.8 ft
- Forestay Length (est)
- 45.95 ft
- Main Sail Area
- 335.32 sqft
- Foretriangle Sail Area
- 282.43 sqft
- Total Sail Area (Reported)
- 720 sqft
- Total Sail Area (Calc)
- 617.75 sqft
Dimensions
- LOA
- 32.78 ft
- LWL
- 29 ft
- Beam
- 10.83 ft
- Draft
- 7.22 ft
- Max Headroom
- -
- Air Draft
- -
Calculations
- Hull Speed
- 7.22 kn
- Pounds per Inch Immersion
- 1