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Birdie 32
Designer: Jan Becker  ·  Builder: Eggel & Co. (Swe)  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Birdie 32

Designed by Jan Becker and built by Sweden's Eggel & Co. from 1978 to 1985, this compact cruiser represents solid Scandinavian boatbuilding during the late 1970s and early 1980s. With 250 hulls produced over seven years, the Birdie 32 found a respectable following among sailors seeking a well-proportioned coastal cruiser. The boat's fractional sloop rig and fin keel with spade rudder configuration delivers responsive handling characteristics typical of modern designs from this era. Her sail area to displacement ratio of 16.46 suggests moderate performance under sail, while the comfort ratio of 20.35 indicates she's designed more for cruising comfort than racing speed. The capsize screening formula of 2.07 places her within acceptable limits for coastal and near-offshore sailing. At just over 30 feet overall with a waterline length of 26.44 feet, the Birdie 32 offers a practical size for couples or small families exploring coastal waters. The fiberglass construction and substantial ballast ratio provide good stability, while her hull speed of 6.89 knots gives realistic expectations for passage planning. Swedish design sensibilities typically emphasize seaworthiness and practical layouts, making this an interesting option for those seeking European cruising heritage in a manageable size.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 30.84 ft / 9.40 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 26.44 ft / 8.06 m
Beam 10.50 ft / 3.20 m
Max Draft 5.58 ft / 1.70 m
Displacement 8,377.00 lb / 3,800 kg
Ballast 3,527.00 lb / 1,600 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 423.00 ft² / 39.30 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Jan Becker
Builder Eggel & Co. (SWE)
First Built 1978
Last Built 1985
Number Built 250
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 16.46
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 42.1
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 202.33
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 20.35
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 2.07
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.89 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 2.61
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 991.97 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 16.45
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 35.47 ft / 10.81 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.81 ft / 3.60 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 39.37 ft / 12.00 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.83 ft / 3.30 m
SA Fore 209.45 ft² / 19.46 m²
SA Main 213.19 ft² / 19.81 m²
SA Total (100%) 422.64 ft² / 39.26 m²
Est. Forestay Length 37.38 ft / 11.39 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo Penta
Engine Model MD7
Engine Type Diesel
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