Designed by Bob Poole and built by Downeast Yachts between 1975 and 1980, this traditional cutter represents classic American cruising yacht design from the mid-1970s. With 134 hulls completed during its five-year production run, the Downeaster 32 earned a solid reputation among cruising sailors seeking a capable offshore vessel. The boat's long keel configuration with transom-hung rudder provides excellent directional stability and tracking, making it well-suited for extended coastal cruising and offshore passages. The substantial displacement of 17,000 pounds, combined with 5,500 pounds of ballast, creates a stiff, seaworthy platform that handles heavy weather with confidence. Her impressive comfort ratio of 38.93 reflects the motion characteristics that make long passages more pleasant for crew. The cutter rig offers versatility in sail handling, particularly valuable when sailing shorthanded or in challenging conditions. With a conservative capsize screening value of 1.71, this design prioritizes safety and stability over outright speed. The fiberglass construction ensures durability while keeping maintenance requirements reasonable. While not built for racing, the Downeaster 32 excels as a serious cruising yacht for sailors who value seaworthiness and comfort over speed, making it an excellent choice for coastal exploration and blue-water adventures.
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What is the Downeaster 32's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Downeaster 32 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 14.62. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Downeaster 32's comfort ratio?
The Downeaster 32 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 38.93. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Downeaster 32 safe for offshore sailing?
The Downeaster 32 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.71. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Downeaster 32?
The theoretical hull speed of the Downeaster 32 is 6.81 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Downeaster 32 weigh?
The Downeaster 32 has a displacement of 17,000.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 32.00 ft.
How much does a used Downeaster 32 cost?
Based on 2 recent market listings, used Downeaster 32 sailboats typically sell for between $9,990 and $9,990, with a median asking price of $9,990. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.
Who designed the Downeaster 32?
The Downeaster 32 was designed by Bob Poole, first built in 1975.