How does the C34 come off in terms of quantitative measures of seaworthiness, such as sail area/displacement and capsize risk?
Cruising World (April, 1998) published an interesting article by John Holtrop (“Crunching Numbers for a Quality Cruiser”). The article outlines a quantitative methodology for assessing the seaworthiness of a cruising yacht for blue-water crusing. In what’s appended, I’ve applied Holtrop’s approach to my C34 (tall rig, wing keel, ’88) and interpreted the numbers. Please note that Holtrop’s definition of optimum and acceptable ranges reflects his admitted bias toward heavy, narrow cruising yachts with considerable loa/lwl overhang. In brief, this analysis suggests that the Catalina 34 is a fast, “stiff,” and safe yacht for coastal cruising, and can probably handle offshore use, but may not be as comfortable for prolonged sailing in heavy seas as yachts designed specifically for blue-water cruising. (These yachts would, in turn, be quite inappropriate and uncomfortable for coastal cruising.) Once again, note that Holtrop’s analysis embodies assumptions which, by his own admission, are not
