The Beneteau 34.7, designed by the respected Farr Yacht Design team, is a performance-oriented sailboat that blends racing capabilities with the versatility of a cruiser. First introduced in 2006, it was created for sailors who seek a competitive edge on the water without entirely sacrificing comfort. With its fractional sloop rig, lightweight construction, and sleek hull design, the Beneteau 34.7 offers a high-performance sailing experience, appealing to racers and cruising enthusiasts alike.
Design and Construction
The Beneteau 34.7 features a fin keel with a bulb and spade rudder, a design aimed at maximizing speed and control, particularly when sailing upwind. The hull is made from fiberglass (FG), which ensures both strength and lightness, crucial for competitive sailing. At 33.66 feet in length overall (LOA) and with a beam of 11.06 feet, the Beneteau 34.7 maintains a slim profile that reduces drag while still providing stability and interior space. The deep draft of 6.56 feet improves the boat’s pointing ability, while the ballast-to-displacement ratio of 38.07% gives it the stiffness needed to handle aggressive sailing in strong winds. Farr Design’s influence is evident in the boat’s lines, emphasizing speed, maneuverability, and efficient sail handling.
Performance
The Beneteau 34.7 stands out for its impressive performance, thanks to a large sail area of 756.70 square feet and a high sail area-to-displacement (S.A./Displ.) ratio of 26.71. This makes the boat fast, particularly in lighter wind conditions where it can accelerate quickly. The high S.A./Displ. ratio also makes it agile and responsive, ideal for racing. The fractional sloop rig provides greater control over sail trim, making it easy to optimize performance across different wind angles. With a hull speed of 7.17 knots, the Beneteau 34.7 is capable of swift passages, and the powerful Yanmar diesel engine with 20 horsepower provides reliable auxiliary power when needed. Overall, its combination of speed, responsiveness, and precision makes it a solid performer on the racecourse and a pleasure to sail on longer cruises.
Comfort and Accommodations
Although performance is the Beneteau 34.7’s primary focus, it still offers reasonable accommodations for a small crew. With a beam of 11.06 feet, the boat provides enough interior space for weekend cruising or short coastal trips. It includes basic amenities like a compact galley, sleeping quarters, and a head, making it suitable for up to four people on shorter trips. The 26-gallon freshwater tank, while modest, supports light cruising needs, though extended voyages would require careful planning. The interior design is kept simple and functional, prioritizing weight savings without sacrificing essential comfort features.
Safety and Practicality
The Beneteau 34.7 has several features that make it both safe and practical for sailors seeking a balance between performance and security. Its deep fin keel and high ballast-to-displacement ratio provide excellent stability, minimizing excessive heeling even in strong winds. The capsize screening formula (2.08) indicates the boat’s ability to handle offshore conditions safely, although its primary design focus is on competitive sailing rather than heavy offshore cruising. The boat’s fiberglass construction ensures durability while keeping weight down, and its high-performance rigging system offers easy handling and quick adjustments, making it practical for both racing and cruising scenarios. The comfort ratio of 20.25 suggests that the boat provides a reasonable level of comfort in moderate conditions, though it may feel less smooth in rougher seas.
Conclusion
The Beneteau 34.7 is a well-rounded performance sailboat that excels in competitive sailing environments while still offering enough comfort for casual cruising. With its advanced hull and rig design, it provides the speed and agility needed for racing, but without entirely sacrificing the practicalities of a cruiser. While it may not be the most spacious or luxurious boat for extended stays, it strikes a fine balance between performance, safety, and comfort. Sailors looking for a boat that can perform well in regattas while offering the flexibility for shorter coastal cruising will find the Beneteau 34.7 to be a strong contender.
Specifications
| Hull and Rigging Information | |
|---|---|
| Hull Type | Fin w/bulb & spade rudder |
| Rigging Type | Fractional Sloop |
Dimensions | |
| LOA | 33.66 ft / 10.26 m |
| LOD | 32.78 ft / 9.99 m |
| LWL | 28.64 ft / 8.73 m |
| S.A. (reported) | 756.70 ft² / 70.30 m² |
| Beam | 11.06 ft / 3.37 m |
| Displacement | 9,700.34 lb / 4,400 kg |
| Ballast | 3,692.74 lb / 1,675 kg |
| Max Draft | 6.56 ft / 2.00 m |
| Construction | FG |
Production | |
| First Built | 2006 |
| Builder | Beneteau (USA) |
| Designer | Farr Design |
Auxiliary Power/Tanks | |
| Make | Yanmar |
| Type | Diesel |
| HP | 20 |
| Fuel | 20 gals / 75 L |
Accommodations | |
| Water | 26 gals / 100 L |
Sailboat Calculations | |
| S.A. / Displ. | 26.71 |
| Bal. / Displ. | 38.07 |
| Disp: / Len | 184.34 |
| Comfort Ratio | 20.25 |
| Capsize Screening Formula | 2.08 |
| S# | 13.22 |
| Hull Speed | 7.17 kn |
| Pounds/Inch Immersion | 1,131.81 pounds/inch |
Rig and Sail Particulars | |
| I | 141.90 ft / 43.25 m |
| J | 39.63 ft / 12.08 m |
| P | 137.80 ft / 42.00 m |
| E | 48.88 ft / 14.90 m |
| S.A. Fore | 2,811.75 ft² / 261.22 m² |
| S.A. Main | 3,367.83 ft² / 312.88 m² |
| S.A. Total (100% Fore + Main Triangles) | 6,179.58 ft² / 574.10 m² |
| S.A./Displ. (calc.) | 218.11 |
| Est. Forestay Length | 147.33 ft / 44.91 m |
| Mast Height from DWL | 51.84 ft / 15.80 m |
Sailboat Links | |
| Designers | Bruce Farr |
| Builders | Beneteau |
| Related sailboats | FIRST 10R (BENETEAU) |
Disclaimer
The considerations and analyses presented regarding the Beneteau 34.7 sailboat are of a general nature and are based on the available information and technical data on this model, interpreted to the best of our knowledge and understanding. It is important to note that the specific characteristics of any particular sailboat may vary due to custom modifications, maintenance performed, and conditions of use over time, among other factors. Therefore, the details and performance of the boat you are considering may not exactly match the information provided here.
We strongly recommend that, before making any purchasing or usage decisions, you conduct a detailed inspection of the boat in question, consult with nautical professionals and other sailors, and consider your personal needs, expectations, and capabilities. Each sailboat may have unique particularities that affect its performance and suitability for different types of sailing and sailors.
The information contained in this analysis should be used as a general guide and not as a definitive reference. Professional evaluation and personal inspection are essential to ensure that the boat meets your specific requirements and expectations.