Rival 34 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

Brett lengthened the afterbody slightly and extended the overhangs beyond the Rival 32's dimensions, a change that gives the 34 improved steadiness in a seaway. The hull is solid fiberglass with no core material, while the deck uses fiberglass with a balsa core for stiffness and insulation. Teak trim runs along the toe rail, handrails, and cockpit seats, and the deck layout is simple and practical, with wide side decks, a large foredeck, and a small aft deck. The high bow is a deliberate design choice to shield the cockpit and lend a secure feeling on deck, while the fine entry and attractive sheer contribute to an easy motion when beating to windward. Period assessments note these yachts were extremely well built to Lloyd's Register 100A1, and the underwater profile pairs a fin keel with a skeg-hung rudder.

Rig and Handling

The Rival 34 is a masthead sloop with a deck-stepped mast supported by stainless steel wire rigging and single spreaders. Headsails are hanked on with piston hanks to the forestay or inner stay, and the sail area is moderate for the boat's displacement. The mainsheet traveller sits in front of the companionway with a fairly low boom, putting crew mindfulness about head clearance on the agenda. Winding in the 130-percent genoa discourages short tacking, and changing headsails is more effort than furling, requiring crew on a pitching foredeck — though the resulting sail shape is far more efficient. Reefing is done at the mast by one or two crew, but everything comes to hand without the friction of lines led aft. With perfectly set sails she should feel beautifully balanced, yet old-sloop physical effort is part of the bargain. The deep keel version stands stiffer and points higher than the shoal-draft model, though the latter is more versatile for tidal cruising, and either will sit acceptably when dried out against a wall. The turning circle is wide compared to modern yachts, and a tiller sweeps a deep, well-protected cockpit that a wheel would only crowd.

Performance Underway

A sail-area-to-displacement ratio of just 13.9 means the Rival 34 needs a stiff breeze to get moving, and the 39.5 ballast ratio lets her stand up to canvas in a moderate breeze before a reef becomes prudent in a gust. Her displacement-length ratio of 347 confirms a heavy cruising boat, while a comfort ratio of 32.5 places seaway motion alongside a moderate bluewater cruiser. The capsize screening value of 1.7 marks her a safer ocean-passage candidate than boats above 2.0. She is best to windward with a dry ride, but light-air and downwind performance feels staid against modern fin-keel yachts, with top speeds of 6 to 8 knots under sail and 5 to 7 under power. Cruising World-level appraisals rate her superb for long passage-making and steady in heavy seas, if not an exhilarating daysailer.

Accommodations

Below, the Rival 34 keeps a traditional open-plan layout with up to seven berths, though only the forecabin gives real privacy. Two separate cabins — forward and aft — each hold a double, the aft one reached through the cockpit with a small ventilation hatch. The main saloon has settees that serve as singles, a folding table, a navigation station, and a galley with a two-burner stove and oven. The head sits between saloon and forecabin with a manual toilet, and the solidly built teak interior feels narrow rather than roomy alongside modern yachts, which at least makes hand-holds easy to grab. There is no fridge, pressurised water, or shower as standard, though provisions exist to add them; four dedicated sea berths underline the boat's sailing-first brief.

Ownership and Refits

A second-hand Rival 34 will be at least 30 years old, and a thorough survey is recommended covering engine, rigging, sails, winches, electronics, and other costly items. Owners Steve and Cathy report dropping and weighing anchor by hand without a windlass, and the boat's design ethos — clearly for sailing rather than marina life — means a buyer should expect to invest in seamanship, not creature comforts. For those chasing a world circumnavigation on a budget, she could be a reasonably inexpensive answer.

The Verdict

The Rival 34 is a thoughtfully evolved cruiser that trades modern speed and space for ocean-going steadiness, a tough Lloyd's-built shell, and a sailing-purist's deck plan. She rewards competent crews who accept tiller helm, hanked sails, and modest interior luxury in exchange for a dependable passage-maker.

Pros