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Elite 324

Designer: Phillipe Harle  ·  Builder: Kirie (Fra)  ·  First built: 1983
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About the Elite 324

Designed by Philippe Harle and built by French manufacturer Kirie from 1983 to 1988, this 32-foot sailboat represents solid European cruising boat engineering from the 1980s. The Elite 324's moderate proportions and traditional masthead sloop rig make it well-suited for coastal cruising and weekend sailing, with enough capability for occasional offshore passages in experienced hands. The boat's fin keel and spade rudder configuration provides responsive handling and good windward performance, while the generous beam of 10.58 feet creates a spacious interior for its size. With a displacement of 8,410 pounds and 3,000 pounds of ballast, the Elite 324 offers reassuring stability without being overly heavy for its length. The comfort ratio of 20.17 suggests a relatively quick motion that favors performance over ultimate comfort in rough seas. The fiberglass construction and moderate sail area of 446 square feet make this an approachable boat for couples or small families looking to explore coastal waters. While not widely known in North American markets, Kirie's reputation for solid construction quality gives the Elite 324 credibility among sailors seeking a capable European-designed cruiser from this era.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 32.33 ft / 9.85 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.92 ft / 7.90 m
Beam 10.58 ft / 3.22 m
Max Draft 5.58 ft / 1.70 m
Displacement 8,410.00 lb / 3,815 kg
Ballast 3,000.00 lb / 1,361 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 446.00 ft² / 41.43 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Phillipe Harle
Builder Kirie (FRA)
First Built 1983
Last Built 1988
Related Sailboats First 325 Beneteau · Espace 990 Jeanneau · Maxi 33 · Sabre 32 · Pearson 33 2
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 165
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
 17.31
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
 35.67
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
 215.6
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
 20.17
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
 2.08
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. 6.82 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
 2.56
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. 979.87 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. 17.33
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 40.49 ft / 12.34 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.81 ft / 3.60 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 35.10 ft / 10.70 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.81 ft / 3.60 m
SA Fore 239.09 ft² / 22.21 m²
SA Main 207.27 ft² / 19.26 m²
SA Total (100%) 446.36 ft² / 41.47 m²
Est. Forestay Length 42.18 ft / 12.86 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo
Engine Model 2002
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 18
Fuel Capacity 20 gals / 76 L
Water Capacity 50 gals / 189 L
How It Compares

vs. Espace 990 Jeanneau, First 325 Beneteau, Maxi 33, Pearson 33 2, Sabre 32

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Elite 324 ★
32.3 ft
Espace 990 Jeanneau
32.5 ft
First 325 Beneteau
32.5 ft
Maxi 33
32.5 ft
Pearson 33 2
32.5 ft
Sabre 32
32.2 ft
LWL
Elite 324 ★
25.9 ft
Espace 990 Jeanneau
28.2 ft
First 325 Beneteau
27.9 ft
Maxi 33
26.9 ft
Pearson 33 2
26.3 ft
Sabre 32
26.2 ft
Beam
Elite 324 ★
10.6 ft
Espace 990 Jeanneau
11.5 ft
First 325 Beneteau
11.1 ft
Maxi 33
10.6 ft
Pearson 33 2
11.0 ft
Sabre 32
10.3 ft
Displacement
Elite 324 ★
8 lbs
Espace 990 Jeanneau
10 lbs
First 325 Beneteau
9 lbs
Maxi 33
9 lbs
Pearson 33 2
11 lbs
Sabre 32
10 lbs
Ballast
Elite 324 ★
3 lbs
Espace 990 Jeanneau
3 lbs
First 325 Beneteau
3 lbs
Maxi 33
3 lbs
Pearson 33 2
4 lbs
Sabre 32
4 lbs
Sail Area
Elite 324 ★
446 sq ft
Espace 990 Jeanneau
527 sq ft
First 325 Beneteau
440 sq ft
Maxi 33
430 sq ft
Pearson 33 2
515 sq ft
Sabre 32
480 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Elite 324 ★
165 s/nm
Espace 990 Jeanneau
—
First 325 Beneteau
—
Maxi 33
—
Pearson 33 2
177 s/nm
Sabre 32
150 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Elite 324 ★
17.3
Espace 990 Jeanneau
17.2
First 325 Beneteau
15.5
Maxi 33
15.0
Pearson 33 2
16.7
Sabre 32
16.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Elite 324 ★
35.7 %
Espace 990 Jeanneau
34.7 %
First 325 Beneteau
38.6 %
Maxi 33
—
Pearson 33 2
—
Sabre 32
39.1 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Elite 324 ★
20.2
Espace 990 Jeanneau
21.8
First 325 Beneteau
20.9
Maxi 33
23.1
Pearson 33 2
24.8
Sabre 32
25.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Elite 324 ★
2.08
Espace 990 Jeanneau
2.08
First 325 Beneteau
2.08
Maxi 33
1.98
Pearson 33 2
1.98
Sabre 32
1.89
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Elite 324 ★
215
Espace 990 Jeanneau
214
First 325 Beneteau
199
Maxi 33
—
Pearson 33 2
—
Sabre 32
261
Hull Speed
Elite 324 ★
6.8 kts
Espace 990 Jeanneau
7.1 kts
First 325 Beneteau
7.1 kts
Maxi 33
7.0 kts
Pearson 33 2
6.9 kts
Sabre 32
6.9 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Elite 324 ★
2.6
Espace 990 Jeanneau
—
First 325 Beneteau
2.5
Maxi 33
—
Pearson 33 2
1.9
Sabre 32
2.0
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