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Ultimate Concepts 32
Designer: J. R. Macalpine-Downie  ·  Builder: Carlson Marine (Usa)  ·  First built: 1989
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About the Ultimate Concepts 32

Designed by J. R. Macalpine-Downie and built by Carlson Marine starting in 1989, this 32-foot catamaran represents an interesting approach to affordable multihull sailing. The twin centerboard configuration offers significant advantages for coastal cruising and gunkholing, allowing access to shallow anchorages that would challenge traditional keelboats while maintaining reasonable windward performance. With a beam of over 13 feet on a 32-foot hull, this catamaran provides exceptional stability and interior volume compared to monohulls of similar length. The masthead sloop rig keeps sail handling straightforward, making it accessible to sailors transitioning from monohulls. At 6,150 pounds displacement, it strikes a balance between performance and load-carrying capacity for extended cruising. The fiberglass construction and American build quality suggest durability, though potential buyers should carefully inspect older examples for common catamaran issues like deck-to-hull joint integrity. The centerboard system requires periodic maintenance but offers remarkable versatility for exploring shallow waters throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas, or coastal regions. This design appeals particularly to cruising couples seeking the space and stability advantages of a catamaran without the extreme beam restrictions that larger multihulls face when trailering or finding marina slips.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 32.00 ft / 9.75 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
Beam 13.33 ft / 4.06 m
Max Draft 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Min Draft 1.50 ft / 0.46 m
Displacement 6,150.00 lb / 2,790 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Catamaran Twin Cbrd.
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer J. R. Macalpine-Downie
Builder Carlson Marine (USA)
First Built 1989
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Performance Ratios
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
9.79
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
2.91
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. 7.34 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. 8.57 pounds/inch
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