BoatsDowneaster 32

Downeaster 32

Cutter · Long Keel w/trans. Hung Rudder · 1975–1980

A heavy-displacement Bob Poole cutter with a long keel, designed for stable, comfortable offshore cruising

Designed by Bob Poole, built by DownEast Yachts.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Long Keel w/trans. Hung Rudder

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her heavy displacement on a moderate beam gives 39 — a sea-kindly motion in a seaway.

Comfort ratio 39
CoastalBluewater

1.71 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.

Capsize screening 1.71
LightHeavy

440 — very heavy for her waterline, a serious load-carrying cruiser.

Displacement / length 440
EasygoingPowered-up

14.6 — modest power for her weight; easygoing rather than lively, and happier with a breeze.

Sail area / displacement 14.6
TenderStiff

32% of her weight is ballast — on the tender side; she'll heel readily and want a reef sooner.

Ballast 32%

Built heavy and sea-kindly — a boat made to cross oceans and forgive a rough night.

  • Heavier than ~77% of boats her size on file
  • Beamier than ~75% of boats her size on file

Compared with 428 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

On the water

The Downeaster 32 on video

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
32.4%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Cutter
Ratios
SA / displacement
14.6
Displacement / length
440.4
Comfort ratio
38.9
Capsize screening
1.71
Hull speed
6.8 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1015
Hull
Hull type
Long keel w/trans. hung rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
1975–1980
Units built
134
Designer
Bob Poole
Builder
DownEast Yachts, Down East Yachts Inc

Boats like this, on the water

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Westsail 329.75 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA fiberglass adaptation of William Atkin's Thistle design, this heavy-displacement cutter saw 834 hulls built.
Mariner 35 (Garden)10.52 mSame hull family0.8 m longerMarketed as the Far East 35 by George B. Walton Inc., this heavy-displacement ketch offers a stable 47.9 comfort ratio
Alden 32 Motor Sailer9.60 mSame hull family0.2 m shorterOriginally known as the Winsome Class, this masthead sloop features a long keel and was available in both sloop and ketch
Nauticat 3310.11 mSame hull family0.4 m longerSiltala's inaugural production model, this long-keeled ketch offers a stable, high-comfort platform for extended cruising
Cape George 319.45 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterA William Atkin-designed cutter with a heavy ballast ratio and long keel, built for stability and offshore comfort
Rustler 319.58 mSame hull family0.2 m shorterA heavy-displacement masthead sloop with a long keel, evolved from the North Sea 24 and sharing lineage with the Twister 31

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

Keep looking

Nothing filmed of this one yet

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