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Comanche 32 Sailcraft
Designer: J. R. Macalpine-Downie  ·  Builder: Sailcraft Ltd. (Uk)  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Comanche 32 Sailcraft

Built during the 1970s, this 32-foot sailboat represents a classic example of affordable cruising design from that era. Comanche Sailcraft produced vessels that prioritized practical sailing over racing performance, making them appealing to budget-conscious sailors seeking their first larger boat or a reliable coastal cruiser. The design reflects the solid construction values typical of its time, with a focus on seaworthiness rather than cutting-edge performance. These boats were engineered for durability, featuring traditional hull forms that prioritize stability and comfort over speed. The accommodations below deck emphasize functionality, providing essential cruising amenities without unnecessary complexity. Most suitable for coastal cruising and weekend sailing, the Comanche 32 offers a good balance of size and manageability for couples or small families. While not particularly fast by modern standards, these boats have earned respect for their honest sailing characteristics and robust build quality. Many examples remain active today, testament to their sound construction. For sailors seeking an entry into larger boat ownership or those who value traditional sailing qualities over modern performance, well-maintained examples can provide years of reliable service at reasonable cost.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 32.18 ft / 9.81 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 28.75 ft / 8.76 m
Beam 13.83 ft / 4.22 m
Max Draft 3.18 ft / 0.97 m
Displacement 5,500.00 lb / 2,495 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Catamaran (no boards/asym.)
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer J. R. Macalpine-Downie
Builder Sailcraft Ltd. (UK)
First Built 1978
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
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
103.32
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
8.57
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
3.14
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. 7.18 kn
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. 8.52 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 22.92
P (Mainsail Luff) 445.00 ft² / 41.34 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 103.32
How It Compares

vs. Cape Dory 32, Hunter 32 Vision, Nicholson 33 34 Ton

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Comanche 32 Sailcraft ★
32.2 ft
Cape Dory 32
32.2 ft
Hunter 32 Vision
32.0 ft
Nicholson 33 34 Ton
32.1 ft
LWL
Comanche 32 Sailcraft ★
28.8 ft
Cape Dory 32
24.2 ft
Hunter 32 Vision
27.0 ft
Nicholson 33 34 Ton
27.6 ft
Beam
Comanche 32 Sailcraft ★
13.8 ft
Cape Dory 32
9.9 ft
Hunter 32 Vision
11.3 ft
Nicholson 33 34 Ton
10.4 ft
Displacement
Comanche 32 Sailcraft ★
5 lbs
Cape Dory 32
11 lbs
Hunter 32 Vision
11 lbs
Nicholson 33 34 Ton
10 lbs
Ballast
Comanche 32 Sailcraft ★
Cape Dory 32
4 lbs
Hunter 32 Vision
4 lbs
Nicholson 33 34 Ton
4 lbs
Sail Area
Comanche 32 Sailcraft ★
Cape Dory 32
509 sq ft
Hunter 32 Vision
486 sq ft
Nicholson 33 34 Ton
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Comanche 32 Sailcraft ★
Cape Dory 32
192 s/nm
Hunter 32 Vision
177 s/nm
Nicholson 33 34 Ton
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Comanche 32 Sailcraft ★
Cape Dory 32
15.8
Hunter 32 Vision
15.4
Nicholson 33 34 Ton
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Comanche 32 Sailcraft ★
Cape Dory 32
40.0 %
Hunter 32 Vision
39.5 %
Nicholson 33 34 Ton
44.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Comanche 32 Sailcraft ★
8.6
Cape Dory 32
32.2
Hunter 32 Vision
24.4
Nicholson 33 34 Ton
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Comanche 32 Sailcraft ★
3.14
Cape Dory 32
1.75
Hunter 32 Vision
2.02
Nicholson 33 34 Ton
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Comanche 32 Sailcraft ★
103
Cape Dory 32
371
Hunter 32 Vision
258
Nicholson 33 34 Ton
213
Hull Speed
Comanche 32 Sailcraft ★
7.2 kts
Cape Dory 32
6.6 kts
Hunter 32 Vision
7.0 kts
Nicholson 33 34 Ton
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Comanche 32 Sailcraft ★
Cape Dory 32
1.2
Hunter 32 Vision
1.9
Nicholson 33 34 Ton
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