[1][2][3][9][10] The Beneteau 34 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of glassfibre, with wood trim and a balsa-cored deck.
[1][2][3][11] In a 2008 Cruising World review, Jeremy McGeary noted, "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.
"[6] In a 2009 review for Cruising World, Andrew Burton wrote, "the featherlight feel of the large, leather-covered wheel in no way reflected the Beneteau 34's relatively moderate displacement as we danced to weather on a blustery day on Narragansett Bay.
The 6-foot-deep cast-iron keel and bulb kept the center of gravity low, and the fairly hard turn to the bilge provided form stability; together, they conspired to keep the Beneteau 34 on its feet.