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Prairie 32
Designer: George S. Hawn, Jr  ·  Builder: Prairie Boat Works (Usa)  ·  First built: 1976
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About the Prairie 32

Relatively little documentation has made its way into the public record for the Prairie 32, making it something of an understated presence in the sailboat world. What can be inferred from its name and size class is that this is a capable mid-range cruising vessel, likely suited to inland lakes, coastal passages, and sheltered waterways — the kind of sailing that rewards a well-balanced, manageable boat over outright speed or offshore ruggedness. Boats in this size range typically offer a comfortable balance between livability and singlehanded or shorthanded handling, making the Prairie 32 a potential candidate for weekend cruisers and liveaboard-curious sailors alike. The Prairie name itself suggests roots in North American freshwater sailing culture, where practical, sturdy designs have long been valued over flashy performance credentials. For buyers researching this vessel, tracking down original builder documentation, class associations, or owner communities will be essential to filling in the gaps. If you encounter one on the market, a thorough survey is especially recommended given the limited publicly available data on this model.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 31.67 ft / 9.65 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.68 ft / 7.83 m
Beam 11.12 ft / 3.39 m
Max Draft 4.50 ft / 1.37 m
Displacement 17,300.00 lb / 7,847 kg
Ballast 7,000.00 lb / 3,175 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long keel w/trans. hung rudder
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer George S. Hawn, Jr
Builder Prairie Boat Works (USA)
First Built 1976
Number Built 35
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
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
40.46
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
456.05
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. 6.12 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 13.88
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 578.00 ft² / 53.70 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Yanmar
Engine & Accommodations
Fuel Capacity 40 gals / 151 L
Water Capacity 100 gals / 379 L
How It Compares

vs. Contest 32 Cs, Najad 320, Rival 32

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Prairie 32 ★
31.7 ft
Contest 32 Cs
31.8 ft
Najad 320
31.8 ft
Rival 32
31.8 ft
LWL
Prairie 32 ★
25.7 ft
Contest 32 Cs
25.7 ft
Najad 320
26.9 ft
Rival 32
24.5 ft
Beam
Prairie 32 ★
11.1 ft
Contest 32 Cs
10.9 ft
Najad 320
10.4 ft
Rival 32
9.7 ft
Displacement
Prairie 32 ★
17 lbs
Contest 32 Cs
14 lbs
Najad 320
10 lbs
Rival 32
11 lbs
Ballast
Prairie 32 ★
7 lbs
Contest 32 Cs
6 lbs
Najad 320
4 lbs
Rival 32
4 lbs
Sail Area
Prairie 32 ★
Contest 32 Cs
Najad 320
477 sq ft
Rival 32
405 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Prairie 32 ★
Contest 32 Cs
Najad 320
15.7
Rival 32
12.7
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Prairie 32 ★
40.5 %
Contest 32 Cs
44.6 %
Najad 320
44.9 %
Rival 32
37.9 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Prairie 32 ★
Contest 32 Cs
Najad 320
26.1
Rival 32
32.8
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Prairie 32 ★
Contest 32 Cs
Najad 320
1.88
Rival 32
1.71
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Prairie 32 ★
456
Contest 32 Cs
377
Najad 320
247
Rival 32
353
Hull Speed
Prairie 32 ★
Contest 32 Cs
Najad 320
7.0 kts
Rival 32
6.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Prairie 32 ★
Contest 32 Cs
Najad 320
2.1
Rival 32
1.1
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