Designed by the respected British firm Hatfield & Palmer and first launched in 1965, this 32-footer represents classic British yacht design philosophy from the mid-1960s. With her moderate displacement of 8,645 pounds and substantial ballast ratio, the Discovery 32 embodies the seaworthy characteristics that made British boats renowned for their offshore capabilities. The hull configuration features a fin keel paired with a rudder mounted on a skeg, providing excellent directional stability while maintaining reasonable maneuverability. Her masthead sloop rig delivers a well-balanced sail plan that's manageable for small crews. The beam of just over nine feet creates a relatively narrow profile that enhances windward performance, though it does limit interior volume compared to more modern designs. With a comfort ratio of 25.8, this yacht falls into the moderate range, suggesting she'll provide a reasonably comfortable motion at sea without being overly heavy. The capsize screening value of 1.79 indicates good stability characteristics suitable for coastal and offshore passage making. Her conservative sail area to displacement ratio points to a boat designed more for cruising reliability than racing performance, making her an appealing choice for sailors prioritizing seaworthiness over speed.
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What is the Discovery 32's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Discovery 32 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 18.6. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Discovery 32's comfort ratio?
The Discovery 32 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 25.8. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Discovery 32 safe for offshore sailing?
The Discovery 32 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.79. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Discovery 32?
The theoretical hull speed of the Discovery 32 is 6.70 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Discovery 32 weigh?
The Discovery 32 has a displacement of 8,645.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 32.00 ft.
Who designed the Discovery 32?
The Discovery 32 was designed by Hatfield & Palmer, first built in 1965.