Launched in 1986, this mid-sized cruiser from Catalina Yachts represents a popular choice for sailors seeking comfortable coastal cruising with occasional offshore capability. Building on Catalina's reputation for producing well-built, affordable sailboats, the 34-footer strikes an appealing balance between performance and livability. The design emphasizes practical cruising features over racing performance, making it particularly well-suited for weekend getaways, extended coastal passages, and comfortable anchoring in protected waters. Its moderate displacement and beam provide stability while maintaining reasonable sailing characteristics in a variety of conditions. Notable for its spacious interior layout relative to its length, the boat offers comfortable accommodations for extended cruising with family or friends. The cockpit design prioritizes ease of handling and safety, reflecting Catalina's focus on creating boats accessible to sailors of varying experience levels. While not designed as a pure performance boat, the 34 maintains respectable sailing qualities that satisfy most recreational sailors. Its construction quality and widespread availability of parts and service support have contributed to strong resale values and an active community of owners who appreciate its blend of comfort, reliability, and sailing capability.
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- Based on asking prices — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
- Condition, year, location, and included equipment are not factored in.
- Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering.
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What is the Catalina 34's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Catalina 34 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 15.71. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Catalina 34's comfort ratio?
The Catalina 34 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 22.03. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Catalina 34 safe for offshore sailing?
The Catalina 34 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.09. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Catalina 34?
The theoretical hull speed of the Catalina 34 is 7.25 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Catalina 34 weigh?
The Catalina 34 has a displacement of 11,950 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 34.00 ft.
How much does a used Catalina 34 cost?
Based on 43 recent market listings, used Catalina 34 sailboats typically sell for between $18,900 and $69,900, with a median asking price of $34,000. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.
Who designed the Catalina 34?
The Catalina 34 was designed by Frank Butler, first built in 1985.