This 34-foot monohull established the template for almost every Sweden Yachts production model through 2009. She combines a masthead sloop rig and moderate racing pedigree with a displacement of 12,600 pounds, an 11.5-foot beam, and a ballast ratio of 41 percent.
Design and Construction
The hull and deck are fiberglass sandwich structures, a form of construction that the original review noted improves the indoor climate. The yard’s standard method in this era used end-grain balsa core from the toe rail to below the waterline. Solid laminate was reserved for high-stress areas around the keel, mast foot, and hull-halves joint.
The deck was laminated to the hull with glass and polyester, then through-bolted beneath an aluminum toe rail. Mahogany was used throughout the interior, as it was in many yachts of the period.
Three keel alternatives were available. One lead fin keel draws 6.40 to 6.70 feet, depending on load, while the wing keel reduces draft to 5.09 to 5.39 feet. A second lead fin keel draws 6.63 to 6.93 feet. The deeper fin-keel versions restrict the boat to major marinas, while the wing keel can enter most harbors.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The 340 is a masthead sloop. With the ISO 8666 reference sail, her sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 17.5. Fitting a 135 percent genoa raises that figure to 20.9, putting her in lively company for a 34-footer of this weight.
A displacement-length ratio of 259 places her among moderate racers, while a length-to-beam ratio of 2.97 describes a comparatively narrow hull for her length. Her capsize screening value is 1.98. The Motion Comfort Ratio is 25.1, with an immersion rate of about 1,116 pounds per inch.
Under power, the Volvo Penta MD2030 diesel drives the boat through a saildrive transmission. It delivers 7.0 knots, compared with a theoretical displacement-hull maximum of 7.1 knots.
Accommodations
Mahogany gives the cabin a warm character typical of its period. The review treats the woodwork as representative of the era rather than exceptional.
No source specifies the number of berths or provides a detailed compartment layout. The available record establishes only the interior materials and the boat’s dimensions: 34 feet overall with an 11.5-foot beam. Those measurements frame saloon and forecabin volume in keeping with a late-20th-century Scandinavian cruiser-racer.
Known Issues and Survey Points
The sandwich structure’s balsa core extends below the waterline, a configuration associated with this period. The saildrive is likewise a period installation and carries the usual inspection considerations for that type of drivetrain.
The database lists estimated capacities of 47.55 gallons for water and 39.63 gallons for fuel, rather than confirmed specifications. A survey should therefore verify the tankage of any individual hull.
Refits and Ownership
Each 340 has the keel choice selected by its original builder. The lead fin and wing keels aren’t field retrofits.
The Volvo Penta MD2030 remains a supported auxiliary. For owners seeking the higher 20.9 sail-area-to-displacement figure, the masthead rig accepts a 135 percent genoa.
The Verdict
The Sweden Yachts 340 is a thoughtfully engineered Scandinavian cruiser-racer. Norlin and Östman’s influence appears in its narrow hull, moderate-racing proportions, and three keel options for different marina depths.
Its sandwich construction and mahogany interior place it firmly in its era, while the saildrive-equipped MD2030 provides adequate auxiliary speed. The 340 is a capable club racer and coastal cruiser rather than an offshore expedition vessel. Even so, its design figures and construction make it a sensible used-market choice in the 34-foot class.
Pros
- Three factory keel options, including a shoal wing keel for better harbor access
- Lead-ballasted fin keels and a 41 percent ballast ratio for stiffness
- Masthead rig with a genoa option that raises SA/D to 20.9
- Sandwich hull and deck construction for a more insulated interior climate
Cons
- Deeper fin keels restrict access to all but major marinas
- Saildrive transmission calls for specific inspection discipline
- Tank capacities are estimates rather than confirmed source specifications
