Beneteau 34: A Mini Review
Over the past two years Beneteau has been busy building out its new line of cruising boats, and the Beneteau 34 fills the last slot, between the 31 and the 37, in the Finot/Conq-designed smaller end of the range.
Little distinguishes these boats other than their sizes. They share a similar profile, deck layout, and practically laid-out interior, and even share components. The 34 has a little less room forward than the 37 but retains the U-shaped dinette to port and the same maneuvering room in the aft cabin. Trim, cabinets, and bulkheads are all in Alpi, a remanufactured wood product with a uniform grain pattern and color which Nauta Design exploits in the interior to emphasize simple shapes and textural contrasts.
On deck, the wide T-shaped cockpit makes full use of the boat's beam and allows access around the steering wheel to the stern porch/swim platform/dinghy dock that's become standard issue. The rig, with a 105-percent fractional-hoist jib that sheets inboard courtesy of swept-back spreaders and outboard-mounted chainplates, promises the utmost ease of handling.
