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Lapworth 32
Designer: C. William Lapworth  ·  Builder: F. Rice (Usa)  ·  First built: 1951
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About the Lapworth 32

Designed by renowned naval architect C. William Lapworth in 1951, this classic 32-footer represents early post-war yacht design philosophy with its traditional wood planked single chine construction. Built by F. Rice in the USA, the design showcases Lapworth's signature approach to creating seaworthy cruising boats during an era when yacht design was transitioning from heavy displacement traditions toward more modern concepts. The masthead sloop rig and fin keel configuration provide excellent sailing performance, while the substantial 4,000-pound ballast and 10,700-pound displacement create a stable, forgiving platform ideal for coastal cruising and weekend sailing. With a hull speed of 6.70 knots and sail area of 486 square feet, she offers respectable performance without sacrificing comfort or safety. The boat's comfort ratio of 35.17 indicates a motion that's neither too quick nor uncomfortably slow, making her well-suited for extended passages. Her capsize screening formula of 1.55 demonstrates good stability characteristics for offshore work, though she's primarily designed for coastal and near-shore sailing. The classic proportions—32.25 feet overall with an 8.50-foot beam—create a balanced design that emphasizes seaworthiness over pure speed, making her an excellent choice for traditional sailing enthusiasts seeking a proven vintage design.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 32.25 ft / 9.83 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
Beam 8.50 ft / 2.59 m
Max Draft 5.50 ft / 1.68 m
Displacement 10,700.00 lb / 4,853 kg
Ballast 4,000.00 lb / 1,814 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 486.00 ft² / 45.15 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction Wood planked single chine
Designer C. William Lapworth
Builder F. Rice (USA)
First Built 1951
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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
 198
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
 16.07
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
 37.38
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
 305.71
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
 35.17
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
 1.55
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. 6.70 kn
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. 759.29 pounds/inch
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