L34 – Lapwing
Proven Cape Town Racer/Cruiser | 1987 | 34 ft
The L34 is a legendary South African design by renowned yacht designer Angelo Lavranos, combining a fast, responsive sailing performance with the practicality required for cruising.
Lapwing was launched in 1987 and built by Robertson and Caine in Cape Town. She is a classic example of the L34 design, offering an excellent platform for both competitive sailing and coastal cruising.
Importantly, the current owners have invested significantly in the yacht since purchasing her in October 2025, carrying out a comprehensive programme of mechanical, structural, rigging and cosmetic work.
Among the major works completed are new keel bolts, a professionally serviced Yanmar diesel engine, new batteries, a new stern gland, extensive rigging work, serviced winches and jammers, replacement of all seacocks and a new marine toilet installation.
With an extensive sail inventory, ORC racing certificate and a well-maintained sailing platform, Lapwing represents an exciting opportunity for someone looking for a capable performance yacht with genuine cruising potential.
Key Features
- L34 designed by Angelo Lavranos
- Built by Robertson and Caine, Cape Town
- 1987 launch
- 10.53 m / 34.5 ft LOA
- 3.326 m beam
- 1.938 m draft
- Approximately 4 tonnes displacement
- Fibreglass construction
- Fin and bulb keel
- Spade rudder
- Tiller steering
- 18 HP Yanmar 2GM20 diesel
- Engine serviced by Yanmar in November 2025
- New stern gland fitted November 2025
- New diesel filter mounted on fuel tank
- New keel bolts
- New 100 Ah batteries fitted November 2025
- Keel-stepped aluminium mast
- Fractional sloop rig
- Bellamy boom replaced in 2022
- Extensive sail inventory
- ORC racing certificate
- Up-to-date hull certificate and COF
Performance & Sailing
The L34 has long been respected as a lively and capable sailing yacht, and Lapwing retains the characteristics that make the design so appealing.
Her fractional sloop rig, fin-and-bulb keel and spade rudder provide a responsive sailing platform, while the extensive sail inventory gives her flexibility across a range of conditions.
The sails are reported to be in excellent condition and include a mainsail, No. 1 jib, No. 3 jib and storm jib.
The yacht also carries an ORC rating certificate, making her suitable for owners who want the option of competitive racing alongside cruising.
Sail Inventory
Lapwing comes with the following sail inventory:
- Mainsail with canvas cover
- No. 1 jib
- No. 3 jib with canvas bag
- Storm jib
The sail inventory was modified by North Sails following the conversion from a bolt-rope track system to a hank-on arrangement.
Associated Rigging also inspected the rigging, replaced the running backstay, modified the genoa tracks and repaired the traveller car system.
Engine & Mechanical
Lapwing is powered by an 18 HP Yanmar 2GM20 diesel engine, with approximately 2,500 hours.
The engine was professionally serviced by the Yanmar agent in November 2025.
Recent mechanical work includes:
- Yanmar engine service – November 2025
- New diesel filter mounted on fuel tank
- New stern gland – November 2025
- New 100 Ah batteries – November 2025
- Twin-blade folding propeller serviced
- New anode fitted to propeller shaft
- New keel bolts fitted
- All seacocks replaced
- Anti-fouled
The extensive recent work provides a strong foundation for the next owner and demonstrates the current owners’ commitment to maintaining and improving the yacht.
Deck & Rigging
The yacht features a keel-stepped aluminium mast and boom with a fractional sloop rig.
Deck equipment includes:
- 2 × 43 winches
- 4 × 16 winches
- 3 winch handles
- Bruce anchor
- 10 m chain
- 40 m anchor rope
- Manual anchoring system
The winches and jammers have been removed, cleaned and serviced, while numerous redundant holes around the winches and jammers were professionally glassed closed.
Navigation & Electronics
Lapwing is equipped with a practical range of navigation and sailing electronics, including:
- VHF DSC radio
- Handheld GPS
- Raymarine log
- Raymarine depth
- Raymarine heading
- Autohelm tiller pilot
- Two compasses on the coachroof
- Alternator
- Music system
Accommodation
The L34 offers accommodation for up to six people.
The layout includes:
- Double berth in the forepeak
- Two aft double berths
- One heads compartment
- Saloon
- Saloon table
- Galley
The heads is located forward between the saloon and forward cabin and has been substantially upgraded with a new manual toilet, new piping, new stopcock and new through-hull fitting.
Galley
The galley is designed for practical cruising and includes:
- Two-plate gas hob
- Sink
- Freshwater foot pump
- Top-loading cooler chest
Please note: the cooler chest is not a refrigerator.
Water & Plumbing
Freshwater capacity is approximately 170 litres, carried in two stainless-steel tanks.
The yacht has:
- Manual freshwater foot pump
- Electric bilge pump
- Two manual bilge pumps
- New toilet system
- New toilet piping
- New toilet stopcock
- New toilet through-hull fitting
- All seacocks replaced
Safety Equipment
Lapwing has a comprehensive range of safety equipment, including:
- 9 life jackets
- 9 safety harnesses
- 2 life rings
- 2 MOB lights
- Dan buoy
- 2 fire extinguishers – new 2026
- Radar reflector
- Boat hook
- Bosun’s chair
- First aid kit
- Grab bottle
- Flares
She also has an up-to-date hull certificate and COF, including current fire extinguishers and flares.
Recent Refit & Improvements
Since purchasing Lapwing in October 2025, the owners have undertaken an extensive programme of work.
Major improvements include:
- Yanmar engine professionally serviced
- New diesel filter
- New stern gland
- Two new Deltec 100 Ah batteries
- Keel bolts replaced
- All seacocks replaced
- New marine toilet and associated plumbing
- New toilet through-hull fitting
- New running backstay
- Genoa tracks modified
- Traveller car system repaired
- Winches cleaned and serviced
- Jammers cleaned and serviced
- Redundant deck holes professionally glassed closed
- Rigging inspected
- Twin-blade folding propeller serviced
- New propeller shaft anode
- Hull anti-fouled
- New canvas cover for mainsail
- New canvas covers for tiller, winches and guard rails
- No. 3 sail fitted with dedicated canvas bag
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Design | L34 |
| Designer | Angelo Lavranos |
| Builder | Robertson and Caine, Cape Town |
| Year | 1987 |
| Length Overall | 10.53 m |
| Length Waterline | 9.20 m |
| Beam | 3.326 m |
| Draft | 1.938 m |
| Displacement | Approx. 4 tonnes |
| Construction | Fibreglass |
| Keel | Fin & bulb |
| Rudder | Spade |
| Steering | Tiller |
| Engine | Yanmar 2GM20 |
| Engine Power | 18 HP |
| Engine Hours | Approx. 2,500 |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L |
| Water Capacity | 170 L |
| Rig | Fractional sloop |
| Mast | Keel-stepped aluminium |
| Berths | 6 |
| Heads | 1 |
A Classic South African Sailing Yacht
The L34 remains one of the most recognisable performance sailing yacht designs to come out of South Africa, and Lapwing offers the opportunity to own a yacht that can comfortably bridge the gap between competitive sailing and cruising.
With significant recent investment in her engine, keel bolts, rigging, batteries, plumbing, seacocks, sails and deck equipment, Lapwing is ready for her next chapter.
Whether your goal is club racing, coastal cruising or simply owning a responsive and capable 34-foot sailing yacht, Lapwing deserves serious consideration.
Enquire today to arrange a viewing or receive further information.
DC Marine Services
Professional Yacht Sales • Yacht Deliveries • Skipper Services
Specifications and equipment are based on information supplied by the owner and should be independently verified by prospective purchasers.