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Iona 32

Designer: Joseph Mcglasson  ·  Builder: Iona  ·  First built: 1973
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About the Iona 32

Built during the 1970s, this Scottish-designed cruiser emerged from a period when European boatbuilders were establishing their reputation for solid construction and seaworthy hulls. The Iona 32 represents classic coastal cruising design philosophy, prioritizing comfort and safety over pure performance. With its moderate displacement and traditional lines, this yacht appeals to sailors seeking a capable weekend cruiser or extended coastal explorer. The design emphasizes stability and interior volume, making it well-suited for couples or small families planning multi-day adventures along coastlines or island-hopping expeditions. The Iona 32's construction reflects the robust building standards common to British and Scottish yards of the era, typically featuring solid fiberglass hulls designed to handle the demanding conditions of northern European waters. This heritage translates to a boat that inspires confidence in challenging weather while maintaining reasonable sailing performance in lighter conditions. For today's used boat market, the Iona 32 offers an attractive entry point into blue-water capable cruising. Its practical layout and proven seaworthiness make it particularly appealing to first-time cruising boat owners who value reliability and comfort over racing performance or modern styling.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 32.00 ft / 9.75 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.20 ft / 7.68 m
Beam 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
Max Draft 4.50 ft / 1.37 m
Displacement 7,800.00 lb / 3,538 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 382.00 ft² / 35.49 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Joseph McGlasson
Builder Iona
First Built 1973
Related Sailboats Ontario 32 · Irwin 32 · Ericson 32 · Downeaster 32 · Contessa 32
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
 186
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
 15.59
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
 20.61
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
 2.02
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. 6.73
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
 2.35
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. 900.42
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 37.4
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.3
P (Mainsail Luff) 32.4
E (Mainsail Foot) 9.4
SA Fore 230.01
SA Main 152.28
How It Compares

vs. Contessa 32, Downeaster 32, Ericson 32, Irwin 32, Ontario 32

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Iona 32 ★
32.0 ft
Contessa 32
32.0 ft
Downeaster 32
32.0 ft
Ericson 32
31.6 ft
Irwin 32
32.0 ft
Ontario 32
32.0 ft
LWL
Iona 32 ★
25.2 ft
Contessa 32
24.0 ft
Downeaster 32
25.8 ft
Ericson 32
24.0 ft
Irwin 32
25.0 ft
Ontario 32
26.5 ft
Beam
Iona 32 ★
10.0 ft
Contessa 32
9.5 ft
Downeaster 32
11.0 ft
Ericson 32
9.7 ft
Irwin 32
9.7 ft
Ontario 32
11.0 ft
Displacement
Iona 32 ★
7 lbs
Contessa 32
9 lbs
Downeaster 32
17 lbs
Ericson 32
8 lbs
Irwin 32
11 lbs
Ontario 32
9 lbs
Ballast
Iona 32 ★
—
Contessa 32
4 lbs
Downeaster 32
5 lbs
Ericson 32
4 lbs
Irwin 32
5 lbs
Ontario 32
3 lbs
Sail Area
Iona 32 ★
382 sq ft
Contessa 32
433 sq ft
Downeaster 32
602 sq ft
Ericson 32
452 sq ft
Irwin 32
498 sq ft
Ontario 32
481 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Iona 32 ★
186 s/nm
Contessa 32
174 s/nm
Downeaster 32
—
Ericson 32
192 s/nm
Irwin 32
177 s/nm
Ontario 32
177 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Iona 32 ★
15.6
Contessa 32
15.5
Downeaster 32
14.6
Ericson 32
17.0
Irwin 32
15.7
Ontario 32
16.9
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Iona 32 ★
—
Contessa 32
47.4 %
Downeaster 32
32.4 %
Ericson 32
—
Irwin 32
43.5 %
Ontario 32
40.6 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Iona 32 ★
20.6
Contessa 32
27.7
Downeaster 32
38.9
Ericson 32
25.2
Irwin 32
31.9
Ontario 32
22.1
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Iona 32 ★
2.02
Contessa 32
1.80
Downeaster 32
1.71
Ericson 32
1.88
Irwin 32
1.72
Ontario 32
2.06
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Iona 32 ★
—
Contessa 32
306
Downeaster 32
440
Ericson 32
—
Irwin 32
328
Ontario 32
235
Hull Speed
Iona 32 ★
6.7 kts
Contessa 32
6.6 kts
Downeaster 32
6.8 kts
Ericson 32
6.6 kts
Irwin 32
6.7 kts
Ontario 32
6.9 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Iona 32 ★
2.4
Contessa 32
1.6
Downeaster 32
0.8
Ericson 32
1.9
Irwin 32
1.5
Ontario 32
2.3
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