Olson 34 (Ericson)

Description

The Olson 34 is a high-performance American racer-cruiser designed by George Olson (Santa Cruz-based designer and builder, known for ultralight displacement boats or ULDBs in the Santa Cruz scene). It was initially built by Pacific Boats Inc. (Santa Cruz, CA) starting around 1986 (with the first hull produced as a prototype), but due to financial issues after hull #1, the tooling was sold to Ericson Yachts (Irvine, CA), who produced the majority of the boats from 1988 to 1990 (total ~38–39 hulls: 1 from Pacific Boats, ~37–38 from Ericson). Ericson marketed it as the Olson 34 (Ericson), with minor build changes (e.g., solid laminate instead of cored, adding weight ~2,000 lb over design intent, making it heavier but still lively). It features a fin keel with spade rudder for agile handling, a masthead sloop rig (some tall rig options for light air), lightweight-to-moderate fiberglass (GRP) construction (originally cored for stiffness), and a functional racer-cruiser interior (V-berth forward, settees converting to berths, galley, heads, and storage for weekend/coastal use). It's praised as one of the "best from the West" in era reviews (e.g., Practical Sailor comparisons to Express 34 and Hobie 33)—fast, well-built for bluewater potential despite ULDB roots, stiff, and competitive in PHRF/club racing (~120–140 ratings typical), with good balance and speed in moderate winds.