Approximately 80 racing OOD34's were built between 1978 and 1981 and then a further 20 or so cruising Contessa 34s after that (with the same hull moulding but a modified deck and interior). They were designed by Doug Peterson and built by Jeremy Rogers of Lymington using an innovative Vacuum Assisted Resin Injection system developed in conjunction with Lotus Cars.
The aim of the class is summed up by the following excerpt from the class rules:
"The Offshore One-Design 34 is a one-design class ... intended for racing over inshore and offshore courses and so to be fully seaworthy and able to meet severe conditions in the open sea in the course of racing."Unfortunately, the ability to deal with severe conditions in the open sea was severely tested during the infamous 1979 Fastnet race when a number of OOD 34s were rolled over and one was lost. A full account of the 1979 Fastnet race can be read in John Rousmaniere's book " Fastnet, Force 10".
The main OOD 34 fleet, based on the South coast of England, raced as a one-design class throughout the 1980's and into the 1990's. In recent years, however, the increasing dispersion of the fleet has all but put an end to class racing. Individual boats are still active though, all around the UK, in the Netherlands, plus one or two even further afield. The quality of the original design and construction is still apparent as the boats continue to be raced competitively, and they also represent very good value for money as a second-hand purchase.