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J32
Designer: Alan Johnstone  ·  Builder: J Boats Tillotson Pearson (Usa)  ·  First built: 1996
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About the J32

Alan Johnstone's J32 represents a thoughtful evolution in the J/Boats lineage, combining the builder's racing heritage with enhanced cruising comfort. Built by J Boats Tillotson Pearson from 1996 to 2003, this 32-footer found its niche among sailors seeking performance without sacrificing livability. The design showcases modern sailing geometry with its fin keel and bulb configuration paired with a spade rudder, delivering responsive handling and solid upwind performance. The fractional sloop rig provides excellent balance and manageable sail handling for both racing and cruising applications. With a sail area to displacement ratio of 17.92, the J32 offers spirited performance in moderate conditions while maintaining the stability needed for coastal cruising. Built during J/Boats' collaboration with Tillotson Pearson, the fiberglass construction reflects quality standards that made this partnership respected in the industry. The boat's comfort ratio of 21.17 indicates a performance-oriented design that doesn't completely sacrifice comfort, making it suitable for weekend cruising and club racing alike. With only 85 hulls produced over seven years, the J32 remains a relatively exclusive choice for sailors wanting a blend of J/Boats racing DNA with practical cruising capability.

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.
$65,000 – $65,000
typical asking price
Median $65,000  ·  1 listing used
All listings
$65,000 – $65,000 1
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) 32.60 ft / 9.94 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 28.80 ft / 8.78 m
Beam 11.00 ft / 3.35 m
Max Draft 5.90 ft / 1.80 m
Displacement 10,000.00 lb / 4,536 kg
Ballast 3,840.00 lb / 1,742 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 518.00 ft² / 48.12 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Alan Johnstone
Builder J Boats Tillotson Pearson (USA)
First Built 1996
Last Built 2003
Number Built 85
Related Sailboats ["J/99" · "X 99" · "Catalina 320" · "First 32S5 Beneteau" · "Pearson 33 2"]
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
 17.92
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
 38.4
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
 186.89
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
 21.17
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
 2.05
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. 7.19 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
 2.96
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. 1,131.96 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. 17.78
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 39.20 ft / 11.95 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.00 ft / 3.35 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 38.50 ft / 11.73 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 15.50 ft / 4.72 m
SA Fore 215.60 ft² / 20.03 m²
SA Main 298.38 ft² / 27.72 m²
SA Total (100%) 513.98 ft² / 47.75 m²
Est. Forestay Length 40.71 ft / 12.41 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 28
Water Capacity 50 gals / 189 L
How It Compares

vs. Catalina 320, First 32S5 Beneteau, X 99

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
J32 ★
32.6 ft
Catalina 320
32.5 ft
First 32S5 Beneteau
32.5 ft
X 99
32.7 ft
LWL
J32 ★
28.8 ft
Catalina 320
28.0 ft
First 32S5 Beneteau
27.8 ft
X 99
27.7 ft
Beam
J32 ★
11.0 ft
Catalina 320
11.8 ft
First 32S5 Beneteau
10.8 ft
X 99
9.7 ft
Displacement
J32 ★
10 lbs
Catalina 320
11 lbs
First 32S5 Beneteau
9 lbs
X 99
6 lbs
Ballast
J32 ★
3 lbs
Catalina 320
4 lbs
First 32S5 Beneteau
2 lbs
X 99
2 lbs
Sail Area
J32 ★
518 sq ft
Catalina 320
520 sq ft
First 32S5 Beneteau
455 sq ft
X 99
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
J32 ★
—
Catalina 320
153 s/nm
First 32S5 Beneteau
—
X 99
111 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
J32 ★
17.9
Catalina 320
16.6
First 32S5 Beneteau
16.6
X 99
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
J32 ★
38.4 %
Catalina 320
35.4 %
First 32S5 Beneteau
32.2 %
X 99
45.7 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
J32 ★
21.2
Catalina 320
22.4
First 32S5 Beneteau
20.5
X 99
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
J32 ★
2.05
Catalina 320
2.10
First 32S5 Beneteau
2.07
X 99
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
J32 ★
186
Catalina 320
229
First 32S5 Beneteau
191
X 99
132
Hull Speed
J32 ★
7.2 kts
Catalina 320
7.1 kts
First 32S5 Beneteau
7.1 kts
X 99
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
J32 ★
3.0
Catalina 320
2.3
First 32S5 Beneteau
2.8
X 99
—
Find a J32 For Sale
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