Design and Construction
Herreshoff gave the Bristol 34 moderate overhangs and a flared bow. Below the waterline, she has a modified fin keel with encapsulated ballast and a large skeg that carries the rudder for directional stability.
The hull is solid fiberglass, while the decks are balsa-cored—a combination Cruising World judged to be of above-average quality among her contemporaries. A distinctive stainless-steel stemhead fitting combines the anchor roller, bow chocks, and headstay chainplate in a single piece, helping keep the foredeck and side decks uncluttered.
With reasonable care, these boats age well. The surveyed example showed no hull blisters.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The keel-stepped, single-spreader mast supports a 100-percent sail plan of 529 square feet. Sail area to displacement is 16.6. The hull displaces 11,500 pounds, including 5,100 pounds of ballast, for a .44 ballast-to-displacement ratio and a displacement-to-length figure of 292.
The Bristol 34 feels somewhat tender initially, then settles onto her lines at 15 to 20 degrees of heel, with little pressure on the helm. With good sails, she is surprisingly quick once the breeze rises above 5 knots.
Cockpit and Accommodations
The cockpit seats six comfortably, although the steering pedestal, wheel, and traveler cut off the rear third.
Below, the companionway opens beside a port quarter berth and a large chart table, also to port. A small galley sits opposite to starboard. The saloon has port and starboard settees, with lockers above and behind both; a dinette version was also offered. The port settee pulls out to form a narrow double, and there is provision for a pipe berth above the starboard settee. The dining table folds down from the main bulkhead.
Farther forward, the athwartships head includes a toilet, basin, handheld shower, and hanging locker. In the forward cabin, two berths convert to a queen-sized V-berth with an insert. Two large hatches, two dorade vents, and an opening port in the head provide ventilation.
Engine, Tankage, and Access
The standard engine is an Atomic 4 gasoline unit; a diesel was optional. Tankage consists of 25 gallons of fuel and 40 gallons of water.
Engine access is practical. Removing the companionway steps exposes the front of the engine, while a panel in the quarter berth provides access to the port side, transmission, and stuffing box.
Known Issues
A 25-year-old example can show the familiar problems of an aging fiberglass boat: a soggy deck, questionable rigging, blown-out sails, corroded electrical wiring, inoperative pumps, crazed gelcoat, peeling brightwork, and an overheating engine. These are wear items rather than structural defects, and the solid hull itself showed no blistering in the survey.
Verdict
The Bristol 34 is a limited-production Herreshoff design that combines racer/cruiser agility with genuine seaworthiness and above-average Bristol construction. Her accommodations are thoughtfully arranged for a boat of this length, and engine access is better than on many of her peers. Buyers should, however, budget for age-related work on systems and equipment.
Pros
- Solid fiberglass hull, with no blistering found in the surveyed example
- Keel-stepped, single-spreader rig and a forgiving helm at moderate heel
- Practical engine access through the companionway and quarter-berth panel
- Well-ventilated, convertible accommodation layout
Cons
- Older examples may have soft decks and questionable rigging
- Gasoline Atomic 4 was standard; diesel was only optional
- Wheel, pedestal, and traveler compromise the rear third of the cockpit
