Najad 34

Magnificent example from the prestigious Swedish manufacturer. The Najad 34 hull #79 is well maintained. Each year improvements and maintenance have been made; in 2020, the underwater hull was sandblasted and 6 layers of epoxy were applied, new anti-rolling covers, awning, and lazy bag were also made, and the engine was removed for a thorough inspection (replacement of hoses, manifold, etc.) new through-hulls. In 2022, a new top-loading refrigerator was installed. The old side Morse was replaced with a new stainless steel one in the pedestal, along with many details that have contributed to the improvement and maintenance of the boat. ITB passed until May 2026.

Guaranteed comfort

The good reputation of the Najad shipyard was forged over many years of building safe and comfortable sailboats under any sea and wind conditions. The high price of their models, both new and used, has never deterred the most demanding enthusiasts.

In the always competitive market of 34-foot (10 meters) sailboats, most models are aimed at maximizing their interior volume or performance. It is always refreshing to talk about a model designed for pure cruising, where the quality of construction or sailing takes precedence over economic or racing considerations.
Even at the time of its launch in the mid-1980s, the Najad 343 already stood out from the usual hull designs. Its full keel with an integrated rudder to its fin, the high freeboard, and its elevated displacement already set it apart from its competition, making this design by Peter Norlin a reference for lovers of long voyages and comfort on board, both in port and at sea.
The history of Najad began in 1971, and since then, this Swedish shipyard has launched nearly 2,000 boats. From this factory, located in the town of Henan, north of Gothenburg, barely more than 50 units left per year at its peak. The production of Najad was never very high.
Quality control and the detailed finishing of each unit have always been more important to Najad than manufacturing volumes. This quality, evident throughout the boat, has its counterpart in the high final price of boats from this brand. Najad offers sailboats of great distinction and with solid construction, but they are not cheap.

Classic and proven construction
In the construction of each of its sailboats, the Najad shipyard spares no expense, and the vast majority of its structural components are certified by the rigorous British Lloyds. The solid laminates, evident throughout the hull, are largely responsible for the 6.5 tons, above average for these lengths. The full keel provides unbeatable course stability when sailing or motoring and also allows limiting the draft to 1.65 meters. On the downside, this type of ballast requires planning for nearly two lengths in port maneuvers.
The Najad 343 was designed with a sail area of 55 m2 supported by a solid Kemp mast with a single set of spreaders. The Furlex roller was part of the standard equipment, while the mainsail roller was offered as an option. In the model we see in the photos, the mainsail roller was installed in 1991. Aware of its limitations with light winds, the boat was proposed with a 36 HP engine, allowing cruising speeds over 7 knots. The Volvo MD7 installed as standard (likely replaced in most units) was a quiet engine, and its excellent factory installation virtually eliminated all vibrations, not to mention its perfect access to all mechanical and transmission parts.

Aspirations for high performance
On deck, the Najad 343's offshore sailing program is also evident. The first thing that surprises is the absence of a swim platform, an element that was already common in production boats of the mid-1980s, although it took much longer to reach Nordic shipyards (Swan, Hallberg-Rassy, Najad, . . ).
The Najad 343, like all boats from this shipyard until practically the second decade of the 21st century, has a comfortable central cockpit, with wide and rounded backs and a maneuver that is always within reach.
The circulation on deck is well thought out, and the solid teak decking installed as standard stands out, both in the side walkways and on the top of the cabin. The main drawbacks on deck are seen in the limited stowage provided by a single locker under the cockpit benches. The location of the gas bottles in the anchor locker also seems unwise, a place very exposed to the elements and too far from the kitchen.

Wood takes center stage inside
The perfect finishes and comfort in life on board are the strong points of the Najad 343's interior. In general, the tones of the woods used, the layout, the finishes, and the upholstery throughout the interior are very welcoming and invite long stays on board. The boat only offers two cabins, but both have enough space to live in them during long passages. Occasional guests can also accommodate themselves on the salon benches, with folding seats that expand their usable surface for sleeping.
The aft cabin occupies the entire rear area of the boat. Inside, there is a double bunk on one side and a single bunk on the other. In the layout, it is unclear whether this cabin is for the owner or for guests. In any case, there are many bunks for the limited stowage capacity of the space. Fortunately, there is a large wardrobe –in theory– for wet clothes flanking the entrance. The rest of the stowage in the aft cabin must be divided between the side lockers and those under the bunk.
The second cabin is in the bow and has two good-sized wardrobes on its sides. The 1.85 meters of height at the entrance of the cabin is also noteworthy, a figure that few sailboats of this length achieve.
The bathroom, to starboard of the entrance ladder, is spacious and comfortable in its layout. The same can be said for the kitchen, along the hallway leading to the aft cabin. It is, along with the salon, the most spacious area of the boat and is functional both in port and while sailing. In it, we find ample stowage spaces, good work surfaces, ample refrigerator capacity, and even a complete and beautiful set of drawers, a carpentry element that is becoming increasingly rare in production boats due to its complexity. Only the ventilation seems somewhat compromised.
The main salon offers a classic layout, with two benches on the sides and a table with folding wings and a slightly off-center bottle holder to leave a comfortable passageway.
Such generosity in accommodation spaces has its counterpart in the navigator's corner, which is somewhat limited in size and faces aft.
The unit we see in the photos was built in 1986, and in the photos, we see it with more than three decades and nearly 20,000 miles traveled; its quality is evident in seemingly trivial details such as doors that still open and close without play or rubbing, the teak and fiberglass deck without cracks, the lamps shining brightly in their shades, the locks functioning without major issues, or the ceiling panels firmly in place after years of intense sailing, and the woods showing no signs of moisture or water ingress. In the end, this is the true quality.