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Whistler 32 Cat Ketch
Designer: C. W. Paine  ·  Builder: Able Marine Inc. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1980
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About the Whistler 32 Cat Ketch

Designed for cruising sailors who appreciate simplicity and ease of handling, the Whistler 32 Cat Ketch offers an appealing rig configuration that sets it apart from conventional sloops. The cat ketch arrangement, featuring two masts with no headsail, means less time wrestling with jibs and more time enjoying the passage — a setup particularly well-suited to short-handed or single-handed sailing. This layout makes the Whistler 32 an attractive option for coastal cruising and bluewater passages alike, where manageable sail handling and a comfortable motion at sea take priority over raw speed. The cat ketch rig distributes sail area across two smaller sails, allowing the crew to reduce canvas incrementally and maintain good control in changing conditions without venturing far forward on deck. While detailed specifications for the Whistler 32 are limited, its design philosophy aligns with the practical cruising ideals that define the cat ketch concept — reliability, balance, and accessibility for sailors of varying experience levels. For those seeking a capable and character-filled coastal cruiser with an unconventional rig worth exploring, the Whistler 32 deserves a closer look.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 32.04 ft / 9.77 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.83 ft / 7.87 m
Beam 10.50 ft / 3.20 m
Max Draft 7.71 ft / 2.35 m
Displacement 11,923.00 lb / 5,408 kg
Ballast 4,728.00 lb / 2,145 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Cat Ketch (unstayed)
Construction FG
Designer C. W. Paine
Builder Able Marine Inc. (USA)
First Built 1980
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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
39.65
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
308.86
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. 5.81 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 3.79 ft / 1.16 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 515.00 ft² / 47.85 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 308.86
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