The Cs 34 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages, and respectable in club racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 27.7′, the Cs 34 tops out around 7.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √27.7′ LWL = 7.0 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
132s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
SA / Displacement
17.9
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Displacement / Length
221
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
22.0
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.06
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
7lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
22.0
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.06
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Cs 34 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Cs 34
132s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Mirage 33
150s/nm
Hunter 336
162s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.9 |
3.6 |
4.1 |
4.2 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.3 |
5.4 |
6.0 |
6.3 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.9 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.8 |
| Run150–180° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.6 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.1 kts),
SA/D (17.9), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Cs 34 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Cs 34.
|
Cs 34 |
Hunter 336 |
J33 |
Mirage 33 |
Parker 335 |
X 342 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
33.5 |
33.5 |
33.5 |
33.5 |
33.5 |
33.5 |
| LWL |
27.7 |
28.6 |
28.0 |
26.8 |
28.6 |
26.7 |
| Beam |
11.3 |
11.7 |
11.0 |
11.7 |
10.6 |
10.8 |
| Displacement |
10 |
11 |
8 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
| Ballast |
— |
4 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
| Sail Area |
533 |
573 |
561 |
— |
570 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
132 |
162 |
— |
150 |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
17.9 |
18.6 |
22.3 |
— |
20.4 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
37.2 |
— |
37.6 |
— |
46.7 |
| Comfort |
22.0 |
21.5 |
17.3 |
— |
21.0 |
— |
| Capsize |
2.06 |
2.10 |
2.19 |
— |
2.01 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
7.1 |
7.2 |
7.1 |
— |
7.2 |
— |