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Chance 32
Designer: Britton Chance  ·  Builder: Paceship Yachts (Can)  ·  First built: 1972
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About the Chance 32

Built during the early 1980s, this 32-foot sailboat emerged from an era when performance-oriented designs were gaining popularity among serious sailors. The Chance 32 represents a thoughtful approach to mid-sized sailing, designed for sailors who prioritize both responsiveness and versatility on the water. With her sleek profile and well-balanced proportions, this yacht demonstrates the classic characteristics of a performance cruiser. The design emphasizes clean lines and efficient sail handling, making her well-suited for coastal cruising and weekend racing alike. Her moderate displacement and contemporary underbody design suggest good sailing performance across a range of conditions. The cockpit layout reflects practical seamanship considerations, with well-positioned winches and controls that allow for efficient sail trimming. Below decks, the accommodation plan maximizes the available space while maintaining the structural integrity needed for serious sailing. While production numbers remained relatively limited, the Chance 32 has earned respect among sailing enthusiasts who appreciate her blend of performance and practicality. She appeals particularly to sailors seeking a boat capable of spirited day sailing and comfortable coastal passages, representing solid value in the competitive 32-foot market segment.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 32.08 ft / 9.78 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 27.75 ft / 8.46 m
Beam 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
Max Draft 5.75 ft / 1.75 m
Displacement 12,025.00 lb / 5,454 kg
Ballast 4,680.00 lb / 2,123 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Britton Chance
Builder Paceship Yachts (CAN)
First Built 1972
Number Built 20
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
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
38.92
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
251.22
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. 5.95 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 14.04
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.02 ft / 3.97 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 459.00 ft² / 42.64 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 251.22
How It Compares

vs. Nicholson 32, Ontario 32, Traveller 32

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Chance 32 ★
32.1 ft
Nicholson 32
32.0 ft
Ontario 32
32.0 ft
Traveller 32
32.1 ft
LWL
Chance 32 ★
27.8 ft
Nicholson 32
24.0 ft
Ontario 32
26.5 ft
Traveller 32
27.1 ft
Beam
Chance 32 ★
10.0 ft
Nicholson 32
9.3 ft
Ontario 32
11.0 ft
Traveller 32
10.2 ft
Displacement
Chance 32 ★
12 lbs
Nicholson 32
12 lbs
Ontario 32
9 lbs
Traveller 32
14 lbs
Ballast
Chance 32 ★
4 lbs
Nicholson 32
6 lbs
Ontario 32
3 lbs
Traveller 32
5 lbs
Sail Area
Chance 32 ★
Nicholson 32
470 sq ft
Ontario 32
481 sq ft
Traveller 32
581 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Chance 32 ★
Nicholson 32
189 s/nm
Ontario 32
177 s/nm
Traveller 32
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Chance 32 ★
Nicholson 32
14.2
Ontario 32
16.9
Traveller 32
15.9
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Chance 32 ★
38.9 %
Nicholson 32
55.7 %
Ontario 32
40.6 %
Traveller 32
37.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Chance 32 ★
Nicholson 32
36.9
Ontario 32
22.1
Traveller 32
35.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Chance 32 ★
Nicholson 32
1.61
Ontario 32
2.06
Traveller 32
1.68
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Chance 32 ★
251
Nicholson 32
393
Ontario 32
235
Traveller 32
319
Hull Speed
Chance 32 ★
Nicholson 32
6.6 kts
Ontario 32
6.9 kts
Traveller 32
7.0 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Chance 32 ★
Nicholson 32
1.0
Ontario 32
2.3
Traveller 32
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