The 34+R has its own race-bred identity, however, with tiller steering, a more race-oriented cockpit, and a cabin layout pared back for crews who intend to sail the boat hard. It shouldn’t be confused with the popular C&C 34 designed in 1977, of which 496 were built; the R is a later, lighter, thoroughly reimagined boat.
Design and Construction
Naval architect Rob Ball designed the C&C 34+ for C&C Yachts and counted it among his best work. The 34+R inherits that pedigree as the racing version, with a deeper keel and taller rig. The 34+R also has tiller steering.
The standard 34+ used a biaxial fiberglass-Kevlar hybrid laminate, with unidirectional glass in high-stress areas and a Hydrex isopthalic gelcoat. The R variant weighs 1,500 pounds less than the 34+, sharpening its response.
Its high-aspect-ratio fin keel incorporated a new tip configuration intended to increase lift without adding drag. This was a deliberate, race-driven refinement rather than a cosmetic change.
Rig, Cockpit, and Handling
End-boom sheeting puts the mainsheet traveler just forward of the wheel. Carried over from the R’s racing configuration, this arrangement keeps the helm clear and provides direct mainsail control.
The deeper keel and taller rig give the 34+R its edge upwind and when reaching. Tiller steering connects the driver directly to a hull that period descriptions credit as quick and purposeful on the racecourse.
The internally mounted rudder post extends through the cockpit sole, with the steering quadrant mounted on top. An access panel makes the linkage for the spade rudder reachable for servicing without tearing into the boat.
Accommodations and Production
True to its brief, the 34+R has more race-oriented cabin accommodations than the cruising-leaning 34+. The cockpit favors working crew over lounging, while the cabin reflects a boat designed to be sailed first.
C&C Yachts built 94 boats from this mold. Of those, 55 were Plus models, while the remainder were divided among racing variants; roughly 30 racing versions left the mold with XL interiors specified. That makes the R’s interior the rarer, more purpose-built end of the production run.
Verdict
The C&C 34+R is a focused racer/cruiser for sailors who value low weight, a high-lift fin keel, and tiller feedback more than generous cruising volume. Its construction and access to the helm gear show thoughtful engineering, while its scarcity within the 34+ family makes a clean example worth considering.
The trade-offs are a leaner cabin and a holding-tank caveat carried over from the sister ship.
Pros
- 1,500 pounds lighter than the 34+, supporting quicker acceleration
- High-aspect fin-keel tip designed to increase lift without adding drag
- Tiller steering, a race-oriented cockpit, and end-boom sheeting
- Service access to the steering quadrant atop the rudder post
Cons
- More race-oriented cabin limits cruising comfort compared with the 34+
- Holding tank may be undersized for some owners
