Back to Search
Rodgers 32
Designer: O. H. Rodgers  ·  First built: 1979
+ Add to Compare
About the Rodgers 32

Designed by the renowned O.H. Rodgers and first launched in 1979, this 32-footer represents a thoughtful balance between performance and comfort that defined quality sailboat design of the late 1970s. With its fin keel and spade rudder configuration, the Rodgers 32 delivers responsive handling and reliable pointing ability, making it well-suited for both coastal cruising and club racing. The boat's moderate displacement of 7,750 pounds paired with 515 square feet of sail area creates a sail-area-to-displacement ratio that favors steady progress over pure speed, while the deep 6.25-foot draft provides excellent stability and upwind performance. The masthead sloop rig offers versatility and ease of handling, particularly appealing to cruising sailors who appreciate straightforward sail management. Built with fiberglass construction, these boats have proven their durability over four decades. The low comfort ratio of 17.27 indicates a relatively quick motion that favors performance-oriented sailing, while the capsize screening value suggests good stability characteristics. With a theoretical hull speed of 6.93 knots and powered by a modest 15-horsepower engine, the Rodgers 32 appeals to sailors seeking a capable coastal cruiser that retains sporting characteristics without sacrificing seaworthiness.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 32.40 ft / 9.88 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 26.75 ft / 8.15 m
Beam 11.00 ft / 3.35 m
Max Draft 6.25 ft / 1.91 m
Displacement 7,750.00 lb / 3,515 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 515.00 ft² / 47.85 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer O. H. Rodgers
First Built 1979
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

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
 129
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
 21.11
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
 180.75
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
 17.27
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
 2.23
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. 6.93 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
 3.44
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. 1,051.39 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. 21.1
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 42.50 ft / 12.95 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.50 ft / 4.11 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 38.00 ft / 11.58 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
SA Fore 286.88 ft² / 26.65 m²
SA Main 228.00 ft² / 21.18 m²
SA Total (100%) 514.88 ft² / 47.83 m²
Est. Forestay Length 44.59 ft / 13.59 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 15
Find a Rodgers 32 For Sale
Y YachtWorld Brokerage listings S Sailboat Listings Sailboats only C Craigslist National search F Facebook Marketplace Local listings B boats.com Global marketplace