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Rival 32
Designer: Peter Brett  ·  Builder: Marine Construction (Uk)  ·  First built: 1971
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About the Rival 32

Designed by Peter Brett and built by Marine Construction in the UK starting in 1971, this 32-foot sailboat represents classic British cruising yacht philosophy from the early 1970s. With 200 hulls produced during its production run, the Rival 32 established itself as a respected bluewater cruiser among sailors seeking a sturdy, seaworthy vessel. The design emphasizes comfort and safety over racing performance, evident in its substantial 11,650-pound displacement and generous 4,409-pound ballast ratio. This weight distribution, combined with a moderate sail area of 405 square feet, creates a stable, well-balanced platform ideal for coastal cruising and offshore passages. The fin keel with rudder mounted on a skeg configuration provides good directional stability while maintaining reasonable maneuverability. Brett's design philosophy focused on creating a yacht capable of handling rough conditions with confidence. The masthead sloop rig keeps sail handling straightforward, while the fiberglass construction ensures durability and relatively low maintenance. With a comfort ratio of 32.83 and capsize screening value of 1.71, the Rival 32 delivers the reassuring feel that serious cruising sailors appreciate when venturing beyond protected waters.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 31.83 ft / 9.70 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.50 ft / 7.47 m
Beam 9.67 ft / 2.95 m
Max Draft 4.58 ft / 1.40 m
Displacement 11,650.00 lb / 5,284 kg
Ballast 4,409.00 lb / 2,000 kg
Ballast Type Iron
Sail Area (Reported) 405.00 ft² / 37.63 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Peter Brett
Builder Marine Construction (UK)
First Built 1971
Number Built 200
Associations Rival Owners Association
Related Sailboats Dufour 31 · Seafarer 31 Mki Yawl · Columbia 33 Caribbean · Pearson 300 · Rival 31
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
 12.65
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
 37.85
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
 353.65
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
 32.83
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
 1.71
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. 6.63 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
 1.11
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. 846.52 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. 12.86
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 38.00 ft / 11.58 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 32.66 ft / 9.95 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.25 ft / 3.43 m
SA Fore 228.00 ft² / 21.18 m²
SA Main 183.71 ft² / 17.07 m²
SA Total (100%) 411.71 ft² / 38.25 m²
Est. Forestay Length 39.85 ft / 12.15 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo Penta
Engine Model MD-2
Engine Type Diesel
Fuel Capacity 17 gals / 64 L
Water Capacity 30 gals / 114 L
How It Compares

vs. Columbia 33 Caribbean, Dufour 31, Pearson 300, Rival 31, Seafarer 31 Mki Yawl

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Rival 32 ★
31.8 ft
Columbia 33 Caribbean
33.1 ft
Dufour 31
30.8 ft
Pearson 300
30.3 ft
Rival 31
31.0 ft
Seafarer 31 Mki Yawl
31.2 ft
LWL
Rival 32 ★
24.5 ft
Columbia 33 Caribbean
24.0 ft
Dufour 31
23.0 ft
Pearson 300
23.3 ft
Rival 31
24.5 ft
Seafarer 31 Mki Yawl
22.3 ft
Beam
Rival 32 ★
9.7 ft
Columbia 33 Caribbean
9.8 ft
Dufour 31
10.5 ft
Pearson 300
9.3 ft
Rival 31
9.7 ft
Seafarer 31 Mki Yawl
8.8 ft
Displacement
Rival 32 ★
11 lbs
Columbia 33 Caribbean
11 lbs
Dufour 31
9 lbs
Pearson 300
10 lbs
Rival 31
11 lbs
Seafarer 31 Mki Yawl
8 lbs
Ballast
Rival 32 ★
4 lbs
Columbia 33 Caribbean
4 lbs
Dufour 31
3 lbs
Pearson 300
3 lbs
Rival 31
4 lbs
Seafarer 31 Mki Yawl
3 lbs
Sail Area
Rival 32 ★
405 sq ft
Columbia 33 Caribbean
—
Dufour 31
395 sq ft
Pearson 300
342 sq ft
Rival 31
—
Seafarer 31 Mki Yawl
404 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Rival 32 ★
—
Columbia 33 Caribbean
—
Dufour 31
168 s/nm
Pearson 300
223 s/nm
Rival 31
—
Seafarer 31 Mki Yawl
—
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Rival 32 ★
12.7
Columbia 33 Caribbean
—
Dufour 31
14.0
Pearson 300
11.8
Rival 31
—
Seafarer 31 Mki Yawl
15.3
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Rival 32 ★
37.9 %
Columbia 33 Caribbean
38.2 %
Dufour 31
38.5 %
Pearson 300
38.0 %
Rival 31
40.0 %
Seafarer 31 Mki Yawl
38.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Rival 32 ★
32.8
Columbia 33 Caribbean
—
Dufour 31
25.5
Pearson 300
31.4
Rival 31
31.9
Seafarer 31 Mki Yawl
29.7
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Rival 32 ★
1.71
Columbia 33 Caribbean
—
Dufour 31
1.98
Pearson 300
1.72
Rival 31
1.73
Seafarer 31 Mki Yawl
1.72
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Rival 32 ★
353
Columbia 33 Caribbean
355
Dufour 31
352
Pearson 300
351
Rival 31
339
Seafarer 31 Mki Yawl
350
Hull Speed
Rival 32 ★
6.6 kts
Columbia 33 Caribbean
—
Dufour 31
6.4 kts
Pearson 300
6.5 kts
Rival 31
6.6 kts
Seafarer 31 Mki Yawl
6.3 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Rival 32 ★
1.1
Columbia 33 Caribbean
—
Dufour 31
1.2
Pearson 300
1.0
Rival 31
—
Seafarer 31 Mki Yawl
1.2
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