1980 Peterson 34 vs Hanse 342 — Comparison
1980 Peterson 34
Hanse 342
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1980 Peterson 34 | Hanse 342 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Hanse |
| Year | 1980–1986 | 2006–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 9.20 m (30.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) | 5,300 kg (11,684 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 51.1 m² (550 ft²) | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1980 Peterson 34 and Hanse 342 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1980 Peterson 34 is a 1980s design by Peterson from USA, while the Hanse 342 is a 2000s offering from Hanse from Germany. The 1980 Peterson 34 was penned by Doug Peterson. The Hanse 342 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the 1980 Peterson 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the Hanse 342 at 10.30m (33.8ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 1980 Peterson 34 is 0.06m longer than the Hanse 342. The Hanse 342 displaces approximately 2% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1980 Peterson 34 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.26 and 51.1 m² of sail area. The Hanse 342, with an SA/D of 17.38 and 52.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hanse 342 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1980 Peterson 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 20.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Hanse 342 has a comfort ratio of 17.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 43.5% for the 1980 Peterson 34 and 31.1% for the Hanse 342, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1980 Peterson 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Hanse 342 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1980 Peterson 34 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The Hanse 342 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.