Design & Construction
The naval architecture came from Bruce Farr’s office, which provided what the builder describes as a revolutionary hull. The design process began with an obsessive focus on the centre of buoyancy to create a slippery yet seaworthy shape, and a T-bulb keel was selected to place the ballast as low as possible while keeping it correctly positioned fore and aft. Because stability is not assessed under IRC, the design team emphasized producing a boat with as much righting moment as possible while being light, concentrating weight in the keel and saving it everywhere else. Reducing wetted surface area was also a priority.
To meet these goals within a production budget, Beneteau employed an advanced molding process. The deck was injection-moulded for a clean finish that requires no inner liner, while the hull and its internal structure were created in a single step using inner and outer moulds. The builder claims this Infujection construction system ensures greater accuracy in resin-to-fibre ratio and consistency of overall weight. The hull itself is fiberglass, and the appendages follow a modern performance formula: a fin keel with a bulb and spade rudder. Chain plates are linked to mini-bulkheads that transfer rig loads directly down to the keel structure, eliminating the need for heavy longitudinal reinforcements.
Rig & Handling
The 34.7 carries a fractional sloop rig on a standard alloy spar, though a carbon mast with rod rigging was offered as an option—and almost all of the first 60 boats produced in 2006 were fitted with it. A genuine innovation for the builder at launch was the carbon retractable bowsprit, a first for Beneteau, which projects the masthead asymmetric spinnaker well clear of the bow. The designers admit they maximized downwind sail area as much as they dared, resulting in a 91m² (980ft²) kite. Upwind, the sail plan accommodates overlapping headsails up to 150 percent.
On the water, one tester found the helm delivered a solid, dependable, chunky feel with a lock-to-lock of just over half a turn. The large stainless steel wheel spans nearly the full cockpit width, yet the helmsman can sit astride it without crowding the mainsheet trimmer. Downwind, the boat has what the reviewer described as a sprightly, bowsprit-blaster feel, rewarding a heat-up on a reach with a quick response to bearing away; speeds in the 7-9 knot range were recorded in just 10-14 knots of true breeze. Upwind, however, the small rudder—a deliberate IRC trade-off to reduce drag—demands full attention, as the boat is prone to losing grip and rounding up if the helmsman and mainsheet trimmer are not attentive. The rudder reportedly gives little warning before stalling, after which control is lost until the boat comes back onto its feet.
Accommodations
In a departure from convention, the layout abandons a forward V-berth in favor of a large heads compartment forward of the mast. This keeps weight out of the bow and provides a convenient wet area for retrieving the spinnaker through the foredeck hatch, with an optional 470-style kite bag that clips into the hatch. The main saloon uses the inside face of the hull as seat backs for two simple settee berths, maximizing space while minimizing weight. Aft of the saloon, a practical galley to port offers generous stowage, and a dedicated navigation station sits opposite with space for gear. Under the cockpit, two double cabins can be configured either as an open-plan area or with a private owner’s cabin to starboard. Stowage for the anchor and rode is located under the floor at the base of the companionway, keeping that weight amidships and low. One tester remarked that the boat feels like a bigger boat than the 36.7 in all areas apart from the foredeck, and the deep, secure cockpit with decent lockers makes occasional family cruising viable.
Known Issues
Several practical niggles emerged during testing. The control line layout was judged not as refined as the X-Yachts X-35, and the fine-tune block and jammer needed to be fastened to the mainsheet car rather than the pedestal molding to allow full use of the traveller. Cross-sheeting the spinnaker sheet onto the secondary winches caused the sheet to chafe against the cockpit coamings. Upwind, a particular stanchion position made skirting the genoa more difficult than normal, and the solid kicker obstructed the view of the 20/20 displays. The overriding handling caveat, however, is the rudder’s tendency to stall with little warning, which makes careful mainsheet trim upwind essential.
Refits & Ownership
As a production racer-cruiser built to a price, the 34.7 was designed to be durable. The standard auxiliary is a 20-horsepower Yanmar diesel, and tankage includes a 26-gallon freshwater supply. The layout’s inherent flexibility, with its choice of open-plan or enclosed aft cabins, allows the boat to shift between a stripped-out racing platform and a functional weekender.
The Verdict
The Beneteau 34.7 is a focused IRC performer that channels Farr Yacht Design’s ruthless optimization of righting moment, wetted surface, and downwind sail area into a production package. It delivers genuine speed and a big-boat feel in a 34-foot hull, but its short-handed manners demand respect: the small rudder that helps it surf downwind makes it a handful upwind for inattentive crews. For the sailor willing to master its quirks, the boat rewards with a sprightly, engaging ride and the versatility to toggle between racing and cruising modes.
Pros
- Potent downwind performance with a standard carbon bowsprit and large asymmetric spinnaker
- High righting moment and optimized IRC design from Farr Yacht Design
- Innovative interior layout that keeps weight low and out of the ends
- Flexible aft cabin configuration for racing or cruising
- Solid, dependable helm feel with a quick lock-to-lock response
Cons
- Small rudder stalls with little warning, demanding constant attention upwind
- Control line layout and hardware placement require refinement for serious racing
- Genoa skirting and display visibility are hampered by deck hardware positioning
