The Eric 32 is modestly canvassed and unhurried, with a gentle bluewater motion.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 27.5′, the Eric 32 tops out around 7.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √27.5′ LWL = 7.0 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
13.3
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Displacement / Length
408
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
41.8
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Capsize Screening
1.65
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
41.8
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.65
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Eric 32 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Westsail 32
243s/nm
Gulf 32
279s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.5 |
3.2 |
3.5 |
3.7 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.2 |
5.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
| Run150–180° |
2.7 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.0 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.0 kts),
SA/D (13.3), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Eric 32 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–22 kts
22–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–30 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
30+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Eric 32.
|
Eric 32 |
Downeaster 32 |
Dreadnought 32 |
Gulf 32 |
Kendall 32 |
Westsail 32 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
32.0 |
32.0 |
32.0 |
32.0 |
32.0 |
32.0 |
| LWL |
27.5 |
25.8 |
30.0 |
25.0 |
27.5 |
27.5 |
| Beam |
11.0 |
11.0 |
10.0 |
10.0 |
11.0 |
11.0 |
| Displacement |
19 |
17 |
19 |
15 |
19 |
19 |
| Ballast |
— |
5 |
— |
6 |
6 |
7 |
| Sail Area |
588 |
602 |
— |
555 |
705 |
753 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
— |
279 |
— |
243 |
| SA/Disp |
13.3 |
14.6 |
— |
14.7 |
15.6 |
16.7 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
32.4 |
— |
43.3 |
33.9 |
35.9 |
| Comfort |
41.8 |
38.9 |
— |
39.8 |
42.9 |
42.9 |
| Capsize |
1.65 |
1.71 |
— |
1.62 |
1.64 |
1.64 |
| Hull Speed |
7.0 |
6.8 |
— |
6.7 |
7.0 |
7.0 |