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Kettenburg 32
Designer: Alan Payne  ·  Builder: Kettenburg Marine/Whittaker Corp.  ·  First built: 1975
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About the Kettenburg 32

Built by the renowned Kettenburg Marine shipyard in San Diego, this classic 32-footer represents the craftsmanship and sailing pedigree that made the Kettenburg name legendary among discerning sailors. The yard's reputation for producing exceptionally well-built boats with traditional lines and solid construction carries through in this design. Like other Kettenburg vessels, this 32-footer likely features the yard's signature attention to detail and quality materials that have made their boats highly sought after in the used market decades after production. The Kettenburg legacy includes everything from elegant day sailors to serious offshore cruisers, suggesting this model would appeal to sailors seeking both performance and classic aesthetics. Given Kettenburg's design philosophy, expect traditional sailboat proportions with a moderate displacement hull that balances comfortable cruising characteristics with respectable sailing performance. These boats typically excel in coastal cruising applications while maintaining the structural integrity for occasional offshore passages. The Kettenburg 32 would suit sailors who appreciate classic yacht design and proven construction methods over modern production boat features. For those researching this model, the limited available specifications shouldn't overshadow the builder's sterling reputation for creating boats that age gracefully and retain their value.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 31.50 ft / 9.60 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.75 ft / 7.24 m
Beam 10.17 ft / 3.10 m
Max Draft 5.50 ft / 1.68 m
Displacement 10,500.00 lb / 4,763 kg
Ballast 4,580.00 lb / 2,077 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 456.00 ft² / 42.36 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Alan Payne
Builder Kettenburg Marine/Whittaker Corp.
First Built 1975
Last Built 1978
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
15.27
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
28.33
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
1.86
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. 6.53
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
1.3
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. 863.04
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 40.15
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.15
P (Mainsail Luff) 35.1
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.0
SA Fore 263.99
SA Main 193.05
How It Compares

vs. Cal 31, Columbia 96, Oday 32

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Kettenburg 32 ★
31.5 ft
Cal 31
31.5 ft
Columbia 96
31.5 ft
Oday 32
31.6 ft
LWL
Kettenburg 32 ★
23.8 ft
Cal 31
25.7 ft
Columbia 96
23.8 ft
Oday 32
27.3 ft
Beam
Kettenburg 32 ★
10.2 ft
Cal 31
10.0 ft
Columbia 96
10.2 ft
Oday 32
10.5 ft
Displacement
Kettenburg 32 ★
10 lbs
Cal 31
9 lbs
Columbia 96
10 lbs
Oday 32
11 lbs
Ballast
Kettenburg 32 ★
4 lbs
Cal 31
3 lbs
Columbia 96
4 lbs
Oday 32
3 lbs
Sail Area
Kettenburg 32 ★
456 sq ft
Cal 31
490 sq ft
Columbia 96
457 sq ft
Oday 32
470 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Kettenburg 32 ★
Cal 31
156 s/nm
Columbia 96
Oday 32
198 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Kettenburg 32 ★
15.3
Cal 31
18.0
Columbia 96
15.6
Oday 32
15.3
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Kettenburg 32 ★
28.3
Cal 31
24.1
Columbia 96
27.5
Oday 32
26.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Kettenburg 32 ★
1.86
Cal 31
1.91
Columbia 96
1.88
Oday 32
1.89
Hull Speed
Kettenburg 32 ★
6.5 kts
Cal 31
6.8 kts
Columbia 96
6.5 kts
Oday 32
7.0 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Kettenburg 32 ★
1.3
Cal 31
2.3
Columbia 96
1.4
Oday 32
2.1
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