Design and Construction
The Fastnet 34 measures 33ft 5in overall, with an 11ft 2in beam and a draft of 5ft 7in. She displaces 9,500lb and carries 3,968lb of internal iron ballast, giving a ballast ratio of 41.7 percent.
Her most recognizable feature is the rollover coachroof, a hallmark of Group Finot’s slightly offbeat styling. It looks unconventional but remains functional. Beneath that distinctive cabin trunk, the boat is beamy for her era, which provides a reasonably spacious cabin for a 34-footer of the period.
Construction is straightforward, with solid fiberglass used for both the hull and deck and no core. The fin-keel hull and skeg-hung rudder, together with the 41.7 percent ballast ratio, mark her as a genuine cruiser-racer—not a stripped-out racing boat or a sluggish cruiser.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The Fastnet 34’s chunky masthead rig carries 456 square feet of sail. Even so, she remains quick and easy to handle. She is notably fast in light airs, when many heavier contemporaries founder.
Yachting Monthly found her a good offshore boat for fast passage-making. Her figures include a 6.65-knot hull speed, a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 16.2, and a capsize screening number of 2.11, placing her firmly in the fast-passage cruiser camp.
The skeg-hung rudder provides directional security when the boat is heeled. Combined with the manageable rig, it allows a short-handed crew to drive her hard without drama.
Accommodations
The original interior was designed for a full racing crew, with six berths arranged for offshore watch rotations. Headroom is 6ft 4in throughout. The forepeak contains a large double vee-berth, while two secure pilotberths in the saloon serve as sea berths when conditions get rough.
A modest-sized aft cabin extends beneath the port side of the cockpit. It is lit by a distinctive round window in the transom—a quirky Finot touch that also helps with ventilation.
The racing-oriented interior can be modified easily for a cruising couple or family. As a result, the Fastnet 34 can move from channel racing to liveaboard use without requiring a rebuild.
Build History
Most Fastnet 34s were built by Fastnet Marine. Atlanta Marine took over the fitting-out work in the late 1970s, and the boat remained in production for more than a decade after its 1973 introduction.
That long production period produced only 42 hulls, so surviving examples are scarce but not anonymous. The longevity of the tooling suggests steady demand from a knowledgeable niche.
The Verdict
The Fastnet 34 is a much better boat than her small production total suggests. She is a quick, easily handled offshore passage-maker, with a roomy, adaptable interior enclosed by distinctive Finot styling. She suits buyers who value sea-kindly behavior and light-air speed more than resale volume.
Pros
- Quick, particularly in light airs, with a manageable masthead rig
- Good offshore passage-maker, with a skeg-hung rudder and 41.7 percent ballast ratio
- Roomy, adaptable interior with 6ft 4in headroom and secure pilotberths
- Solid fiberglass hull and deck with no core
Cons
- Slightly offbeat looks won’t appeal to every traditionalist
- With only 42 built, finding one takes patience
