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Downeaster 32
Designer: Bob Poole  ·  Builder: Downeast Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1975
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About the Downeaster 32

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.

Market Price Estimate Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$9,990 – $9,990
typical asking price
Median $9,990  ·  2 listings used
All listings
$9,990 – $9,990 2
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 32.00 ft / 9.75 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.83 ft / 7.87 m
Beam 11.00 ft / 3.35 m
Max Draft 4.75 ft / 1.45 m
Displacement 17,000.00 lb / 7,711 kg
Ballast 5,500.00 lb / 2,495 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 602.00 ft² / 55.93 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long keel w/trans. hung rudder
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Bob Poole
Builder DownEast Yachts (USA)
First Built 1975
Last Built 1980
Number Built 134
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
 14.62
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
 32.35
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
 440.38
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
 38.93
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
 1.71
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. 6.81 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
 0.84
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. 1,015.23 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. 14.62
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 41.50 ft / 12.65 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 35.50 ft / 10.82 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 15.20 ft / 4.63 m
SA Fore 332.00 ft² / 30.84 m²
SA Main 269.80 ft² / 25.07 m²
SA Total (100%) 601.80 ft² / 55.91 m²
Est. Forestay Length 44.48 ft / 13.56 m
Find a Downeaster 32 For Sale
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