Naval architect Rob Ball joined C&C Yachts as chief in-house designer in 1973 and left in 1989, the year the 34+ was launched. He counts the model among his best work. Sailing Magazine describes the racer-cruiser as well suited to spirited club racing and family cruising, while Ball lists the 34+ as one of his favorites among the dozens of boats he drew for C&C Yachts. The new boat had a taller rig, sleeker lines, and a reverse transom. Production ran for about four years, from 1989 to 1993, with roughly 100 units built. Owner-compiled counts from the original 34/36 mold suggest that 55 were Plus models and about 30 were racing versions with XL interiors.
Design and Construction
The 34+ broke new ground in C&C’s production methods with a biaxial fiberglass-Kevlar hybrid laminate. Unidirectional glass reinforced high-stress areas, and the hull was finished with a Hydrex isophthalic gelcoat. Molded in one piece, the fiberglass-and-Kevlar hull has a balsa core for stiffness and insulation, plus a vinylester resin barrier coat to resist osmosis.
A low-profile cabin trunk, graceful sheerline, and reverse transom shape the boat’s appearance, while an aluminum toe rail adds durability. The standard 34+ carried a bulb keel. Buyers could instead choose a wing keel drawing just 5.5 feet. The racing 34R had a deeper keel, taller rig, and larger wheel.
The balanced spade rudder turns on a stainless steel stock supported by two bearings. Its internally mounted post extends through the cockpit sole, with a servicing access panel above the steering quadrant.
Rig and Performance
With a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 20.5 and a ballast ratio near 43.5, the 34+ is a stiff, powerful, relatively high-performance coastal boat. Its displacement-length ratio of 183 puts it firmly in the light-displacement class. A comfort ratio of 22.0 points to a coastal-cruiser motion rather than a bluewater passage profile, while a capsize screening value of 2.0 confirms that the boat is less suited to ocean crossings.
The sail plan includes a fully battened mainsail with two reef points and a 150% roller-furling genoa. A molded bowsprit carries a 900-square-foot asymmetric spinnaker. In favorable winds, the boat will exceed 7 knots.
The standard auxiliary is a 27-horsepower Yanmar 3GM30F diesel driving a two-blade folding propeller through a saildrive. With a 20-gallon tank, the boat has a range near 150 nautical miles at 6 knots.
Cockpit and Accommodations
Compared with the 34/36 R, the 34+ gained a more spacious and comfortable interior, with additional headroom, storage, and amenities. It provides six berths across three cabins and can accommodate up to six overnight guests.
The forward cabin contains a V-berth with storage underneath and a hanging locker. In the main cabin, two convertible settees flank a folding table with seating for six. The port-side galley has a two-burner stove with oven and a top-loading refrigerator, with the navigation station opposite to starboard.
Aft of the navigation station is the starboard head, equipped with a marine toilet and shower. To port, the aft cabin places a double berth beneath the cockpit sole. Outside, the boat has pedestal wheel steering, a walk-through transom, and a swim ladder.
Known Issues
Owners have reported several recurring defects: hull blistering, keel-bolt corrosion, port and hatch leaks, deck-hardware cracks, and rigging wear. Some owners also consider the holding tank undersized for their needs.
The Verdict
The C&C 34+ is a late expression of Rob Ball’s racer-cruiser philosophy: light, stiff, and quick, with a Kevlar-hybrid hull and a roomy three-cabin interior that punches above its 34-foot name. It’s a coastal club racer and family cruiser rather than an offshore voyager, and its age calls for the usual vigilance expected with an older composite boat.
Pros
- Tall rig and light-displacement hull; exceeds 7 knots in favorable winds and is stiff and powerful
- Biaxial fiberglass-Kevlar laminate, balsa-core construction, and an osmosis-resistant barrier coat
- Spacious six-berth, three-cabin layout with a separate aft cabin
- Walk-through transom with swim ladder
- Optional 5.5-foot wing keel broadens shallow-water access
Cons
- Capsize screening value of 2.0 indicates limited suitability for ocean passages
- Reported hull blistering, keel-bolt corrosion, port and hatch leaks, deck-hardware cracks, and rigging wear
- Holding tank may be too small for some owners’ extended-cruising needs
