DASH 34
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 34.04 ft |
| LWL | 29.42 ft |
| Beam | 11 ft |
| Draft | 6.25 ft |
| Displacement | 5,200 lb |
| Ballast | 2,450.2 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 7.3 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 38 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 11.5 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 40.5 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 15 ft |
| FLforestay | 11.5 ft |
| Mainsail | 516 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 204.1 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 347 sq ft |
About the DASH 34
First planned for class racing as no attempt was made to cater to any handicap rule. I: 38.0' J: 11.5' P: 40.5' E: 15.0' SA: 522 sq.ft.
Designed by Laurie Davidson and built by Dash Marine Industries (USA) from 1981–1984, the Dash 34 is a fractional sloop with a displacement of 5200.0 lb and a beam of 11.0 ft. While the exact hulls built count is unknown, the fleet is characterized by a high SA/D ratio of 26.36 and a comfort ratio of 10.7, indicating a performance-oriented coastal cruiser.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and weekend racers who prioritize sailing performance and interior volume over heavy offshore endurance, given its relatively light displacement and fin keel configuration.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a capsize ratio of 2.54 and a D/L ratio of 91.16, the Dash 34 is generally considered suitable for coastal and nearshore cruising rather than extended bluewater passages, as its light displacement and fin keel offer less motion comfort and stability in heavy seas.
- Comparables:
- Comparable to other 1980s performance cruisers like the O'Day 35 or Catalina 36, the Dash 34 shares a similar era and role but distinguishes itself with a wider beam and higher sail area-to-displacement ratio.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(4 certificates)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 5.5 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.2 | 7.3 | 7.4 |
| 60° | 5.8 | 6.8 | 7.1 | 7.3 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.7 |
| 75° | 6.1 | 6.9 | 7.3 | 7.6 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 8.2 |
| 90° | 6.0 | 6.9 | 7.3 | 7.7 | 8.1 | 8.5 | 8.9 |
| 110° | 5.7 | 6.9 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 8.5 | 8.8 | 9.5 |
| 120° | 5.5 | 6.7 | 7.3 | 7.9 | 8.5 | 9.2 | 10.2 |
| 135° | 4.9 | 6.1 | 7.0 | 7.5 | 8.0 | 8.7 | 10.4 |
| 150° | 4.0 | 5.2 | 6.2 | 7.0 | 7.5 | 8.0 | 9.3 |
| Beat VMG | 3.6 | 4.4 | 4.9 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Run VMG | 3.5 | 4.5 | 5.4 | 6.2 | 6.8 | 7.3 | 8.2 |
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the DASH 34 yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 34.04ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
23 reported issues across 7 systems for the DASH 34, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a DASH 34? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 23 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
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Which engine powers your DASH 34?
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Used sails that fit the DASH 34
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