The builder pitched the boat as an ideal escape for families, friends, or couples. Its published plans promised strong performance from a streamlined, elegant hull.
Design and Construction
At just under 34 feet overall and with a 12-foot beam, the Oceanis 34 carries much of that beam aft. Its more than 3-to-1 length-to-beam ratio reaches its maximum at the companionway, widening the body plan where it matters for interior volume.
The boat has a solid-fiberglass hull with an integral fiberglass grid bonded in as a structural liner. The bulkheads are bonded 360 degrees to both hull and deck, creating a rigid assembly. The deck is cored with resin-infused end-grain balsa, combining stiffness with sound damping underfoot.
A fairly hard turn to the bilge gives the hull pronounced form stability. A 6-foot-deep cast-iron keel and bulb keep the center of gravity low. Displacement is near 12,570 pounds, and the deep-draft version has a ballast-to-displacement ratio of roughly .28, giving the boat moderate weight for its length.
Rig, Sailing, and Handling
The Oceanis 34 carries a deck-stepped 9/10ths rig by US Spars, with swept double spreaders and wire rigging led to outboard chainplates. The jib uses a Profurl furler.
A cabin-top traveler controls the mainsheet. A winch to port of the companionway handles the halyards, vang, and outhaul. The standard sail plan is a furling main and jib from Neil Pryde, while a traditional hoist main is available as an option.
Test sailors found that the 34 pointed well and easily made 6 knots on the wind. With sheets eased and the boat bearing off, the test sailors found that speed climbed to around 7 knots. Dropping the cabin-top traveler cured any tendency to round up in 20-knot puffs.
The balanced spade rudder turns on a stainless-steel stock and uses Goïot cable-and-quadrant steering. This arrangement let the boat turn on a dime and back straight. Under power, the reviewed boat cruised at about 6.5 knots wide open.
Interior and Accommodations
Nauta’s interior feels large for a 34-footer. Golden Alpi woodwork and light upholstery create bright, welcoming living spaces.
The saloon has long settees wide enough to serve as sea berths when fitted with lee cloths. A folding table seats five or six. The galley to port includes a two-burner stove and oven, an aft-opening refrigerator, and a double sink near the centerline.
To starboard of the companionway steps is a roomy head finished with gelcoat surfaces. It has three ports, two of which open.
Aft of the galley, the cabin has a huge athwartships double berth and an aft-facing transom port for flow-through ventilation. Forward of the berth are a hanging locker, opening ports, and engine access. The forward cabin contains a good-size V-berth, a hanging locker, and storage around the berth.
Cockpit and Deck Details
The cockpit is arranged for sociable use, with wraparound seating, an angled bulkhead backrest, and a lift-up section of the aft seat that opens onto the swim platform. Wide side decks and aggressive nonskid extending onto the cabin top provide sure footing when moving forward.
The reviewed boat had teak toerails and cabin-top handrails extending to the mast. Beneteau USA’s president said that teak was being phased out in favor of managed-forestry woods such as iroko.
An optional chart plotter sits in a pod on the pedestal. Cockpit stowage includes a vented propane locker, a port-side life-raft bay beneath the seat, and a shallow starboard seat locker that can be reached without contortion.
Known Issues
The review noted that the saloon could use more handholds. The cabin-top traveler limits mainsheet trim from the helm.
Verdict
The Oceanis 34 is a thoughtfully packaged small cruiser that punches above its length through its beam carried aft, stiff and form-stable hull, and responsive spade rudder. Finot-Conq’s naval architecture and Nauta’s interior make the boat easy to live aboard and handle short-handed. Its Best Value award also reflects how the boat was positioned in the market at launch.
Pros
- Low center of gravity from the cast-iron bulb keel aids stability
- Form-stable hull with a hard turn to the bilge
- Roomy, well-ventilated, three-cabin-style interior for its length
- Agile under power and sail, with a balanced spade rudder
- Practical cockpit with a swim platform and useful stowage
Cons
- Testers considered the number of saloon handholds insufficient
- Cabin-top traveler limits mainsheet trim from the helm
