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Najad 320
Designer: Thorwald Karlsson  ·  Builder: Najad Varvet Ab  ·  First built: 1983
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About the Najad 320

Built by Sweden's respected Najad Varvet Ab from 1983 to 1994, this well-regarded 32-footer represents classic Scandinavian cruising design at its finest. Designer Thorwald Karlsson created a substantial offshore cruiser that balances seaworthiness with comfortable accommodations, evident in the boat's impressive 10,803-pound displacement and generous 4,850-pound ballast. The Najad 320's traditional fin keel with rudder on skeg configuration provides excellent directional stability and robust construction suited for serious coastal and offshore cruising. With a moderate sail area to displacement ratio of 15.67 and a conservative comfort ratio of 26.1, this masthead sloop prioritizes safety and comfort over pure performance, making it ideal for extended cruising and passage-making. The fiberglass construction reflects Najad's reputation for quality Swedish craftsmanship, while the 28-horsepower engine provides reliable auxiliary power. A capsize screening formula of 1.88 indicates good stability characteristics for offshore work. With only 120 units produced during its eleven-year production run, the Najad 320 remains a sought-after choice among cruising sailors who value traditional design principles, solid construction, and proven offshore capability over contemporary styling.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 31.82 ft / 9.70 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 26.90 ft / 8.20 m
Beam 10.37 ft / 3.16 m
Max Draft 5.25 ft / 1.60 m
Displacement 10,803.00 lb / 4,900 kg
Ballast 4,850.00 lb / 2,200 kg
Ballast Type Iron
Sail Area (Reported) 477.00 ft² / 44.31 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Thorwald Karlsson
Builder Najad Varvet AB
First Built 1983
Last Built 1994
Number Built 120
Related Sailboats ["Pacific Seacraft 31" · "Contest 32 Cs" · "Rival 32" · "Hunter 32 Vision" · "Lm 30"]
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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
 15.67
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
 44.89
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
 247.76
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
 26.1
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
 1.88
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. 6.95 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
 2.06
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. 996.73 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. 15.66
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 39.00 ft / 11.89 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.83 ft / 3.91 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 36.74 ft / 11.20 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.33 ft / 3.76 m
SA Fore 250.19 ft² / 23.24 m²
SA Main 226.50 ft² / 21.04 m²
SA Total (100%) 476.69 ft² / 44.29 m²
Est. Forestay Length 41.06 ft / 12.52 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo Penta
Engine Model 2003/S/120S
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 28
Fuel Capacity 22 gals / 83 L
Water Capacity 61 gals / 231 L
How It Compares

vs. Contest 32 Cs, Hunter 32 Vision, Rival 32

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Najad 320 ★
31.8 ft
Contest 32 Cs
31.8 ft
Hunter 32 Vision
32.0 ft
Rival 32
31.8 ft
LWL
Najad 320 ★
26.9 ft
Contest 32 Cs
25.7 ft
Hunter 32 Vision
27.0 ft
Rival 32
24.5 ft
Beam
Najad 320 ★
10.4 ft
Contest 32 Cs
10.9 ft
Hunter 32 Vision
11.3 ft
Rival 32
9.7 ft
Displacement
Najad 320 ★
10 lbs
Contest 32 Cs
14 lbs
Hunter 32 Vision
11 lbs
Rival 32
11 lbs
Ballast
Najad 320 ★
4 lbs
Contest 32 Cs
6 lbs
Hunter 32 Vision
4 lbs
Rival 32
4 lbs
Sail Area
Najad 320 ★
477 sq ft
Contest 32 Cs
—
Hunter 32 Vision
486 sq ft
Rival 32
405 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Najad 320 ★
15.7
Contest 32 Cs
—
Hunter 32 Vision
15.4
Rival 32
12.7
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Najad 320 ★
44.9 %
Contest 32 Cs
44.6 %
Hunter 32 Vision
39.5 %
Rival 32
37.9 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Najad 320 ★
26.1
Contest 32 Cs
—
Hunter 32 Vision
24.4
Rival 32
32.8
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Najad 320 ★
1.88
Contest 32 Cs
—
Hunter 32 Vision
2.02
Rival 32
1.71
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Najad 320 ★
247
Contest 32 Cs
377
Hunter 32 Vision
258
Rival 32
353
Hull Speed
Najad 320 ★
7.0 kts
Contest 32 Cs
—
Hunter 32 Vision
7.0 kts
Rival 32
6.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Najad 320 ★
2.1
Contest 32 Cs
—
Hunter 32 Vision
1.9
Rival 32
1.1
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