The Saxon 34 is with a gentle bluewater motion.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.9 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 26.6′, the Saxon 34 tops out around 6.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √26.6′ LWL = 6.9 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Displacement / Length
418
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
46.4
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Capsize Screening
1.48
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Hull Speed
6.9kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
914lbs
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
46.4
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.48
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Saxon 34 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Chinook 34
Hans Christian 34
Columbia 34
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Saxon 34.
| Saxon 34 | Chinook 34 | Columbia 34 | Formosa 34 | Hans Christian 34 | Rival 34 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 34.0 | 34.0 | 34.0 | 34.0 | 34.0 | 34.0 |
| LWL | 26.6 | 23.0 | 23.6 | 29.5 | 29.2 | 24.8 |
| Beam | 9.6 | 9.0 | 9.9 | 11.8 | 11.0 | 9.7 |
| Displacement | 17 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 19 | 11 |
| Ballast | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 4 |
| Sail Area | — | 530 | 466 | — | 676 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | 201 | 210 | — | 201 | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 16.2 | 15.6 | — | 15.0 | — |
| Bal/Disp | — | 37.5 | 40.0 | 30.9 | 37.1 | 39.5 |
| Comfort | 46.4 | 37.8 | 28.6 | 25.4 | 40.2 | — |
| Capsize | 1.48 | 1.58 | 1.82 | 1.99 | 1.64 | — |
| Hull Speed | 6.9 | 6.4 | 6.5 | 7.3 | 7.2 | — |