32-foot sailboat with adequate headroom

[BarryWhite]

Hello,
I was originally looking for a 35-foot seaworthy sailboat, for mess than 20k eur, like a Sagitta 35, with enough headroom for my height of 1.87 meters (6.13 feet).
However, with prices continuing to rise, I’m now considering 32-foot boats.
Do you have any recommendations for 32-foot, on a budget, and with enough standing headroom for my 1.87 meters (6.13 feet)?
Thanks !

 

[fredrussell]

Most 32ft boats (other than out and out racers) would have adequate headroom surely? Certainly most AWB’s anyway.

 

[BarryWhite]

Most 32ft boats (other than out and out racers) would have adequate headroom surely? Certainly most AWB’s a budget 32-foot with enough standing headroom for my 1.87 meters (6.13 feet)?

Most 32ft boats (other than out and out racers) would have adequate headroom surely? Certainly most AWB’s anyway.

I am looking for a budget 32-foot with enough standing headroom for my 1.87 meters (6.13 feet)?

 

[Slowboat35]

Sadler 32/34. Considerably more seakindly and arguably more seaworthy than most AWBs.

 

[BarryWhite]

Sadler 32/34. Considerably more seakindly and arguably more seaworthy than most AWBs.

Thanks. What about the headroom?

 

[RunAgroundHard]

A Rival 32 has 6' 2" headroom in saloon. They are also low cost. Similar headroom in the Rival 34, also very low cost. As with all these boats, of this vintage, do your own research, then look for a decent boat being sold. Many have been upgraded over the years and the right one can represent very good value these days.


In their day these were quality boats, but their day was the 70's , through the 80's. Excellent passage making boas, strong and will stand up to heavy weather very well. They are also a fast design, in the context of the era. Relatively narrow boats by today's standards but typical of the time, usual saloon and forecabin arrangement, no aft cabins.

Google shows a few 32's and 34's for sale. If interested in knowing more the Rival Owners Association has both a WebSite and Facebook page. Very active membership, so will get all the answers you want there.

 

[Tranona]

Are you buying in the UK? If so then there are plenty of boats that size which will have nominal headroom that you require - Sadler 32, Westerly Fulmar, Moody 30 and older deeper hulled boats like Nic 32 or cruiser racer like Contessa 32 or Centurion 32.

Just about all boats of that size are "seaworthy". In your price range you won't get an AWB so choose from a wide range of boats built between the 1960-80s. Headroom is unlikely to be an issue - at least in the centre of the main saloon and there are far more important things to look at, not least the condition of the boat and its equipment.

if however you are buying outside the UK then you will be faced with a different set of available boats depending on what is available in the country you are buying in.

 

[PetiteFleur]

Moody 33 mk2 - I'm biased of course as I have one. Also Moody 33 which is the earlier model. With rear cabin but access only from centre cockpit. Headroom should be ok in the saloon. I think the mk2 is better. Certainly seaworthy, we've been all over the East Coast, France, Belgium & Holland. Should be able to get one for your budget

 

[Wansworth]

Nicholson 32

 

[BarryWhite]

A Rival 32 has 6' 2" headroom in saloon. They are also low cost. Similar headroom in the Rival 34, also very low cost. As with all these boats, of this vintage, do your own research, then look for a decent boat being sold. Many have been upgraded over the years and the right one can represent very good value these days.


In their day these were quality boats, but their day was the 70's , through the 80's. Excellent passage making boas, strong and will stand up to heavy weather very well. They are also a fast design, in the context of the era. Relatively narrow boats by today's standards but typical of the time, usual saloon and forecabin arrangement, no aft cabins.

Google shows a few 32's and 34's for sale. If interested in knowing more the Rival Owners Association has both a WebSite and Facebook page. Very active membership, so will get all the answers you want there.

Thanks ! I will look at the Rival.

 

[BarryWhite]

Are you buying in the UK? If so then there are plenty of boats that size which will have nominal headroom that you require - Sadler 32, Westerly Fulmar, Moody 30 and older deeper hulled boats like Nic 32 or cruiser racer like Contessa 32 or Centurion 32.

Just about all boats of that size are "seaworthy". In your price range you won't get an AWB so choose from a wide range of boats built between the 1960-80s. Headroom is unlikely to be an issue - at least in the centre of the main saloon and there are far more important things to look at, not least the condition of the boat and its equipment.

if however you are buying outside the UK then you will be faced with a different set of available boats depending on what is available in the country you are buying in.

Thanks ! I live on Belgium. I’m ready to travel if I find a nice boat !
About the Contessa and Centurion, they are about 1m80, so too low for me.

Nic is a nice boat, but long keel and not very practical to get to the berth. I prefer a long fin keel that will point out better. …

 

[dunedin]

I am no expert on the boats like Rivals and similar, but don’t many of them only have headroom in a small section of the saloon.
I seem to recall many had much lower headroom in the bow cabin - generally the only private cabin on the boat - and often in the heads which typically was between the fore cabin and the saloon

 

[BarryWhite]

Nicholson 32

Nic is a nice boat, but a long keel and not so practical to get in to the berth.
Also, I prefer a long fin keel that will point out better…

 

[owen]

Look at the blog "Old man sailing" by john Passmore who has a rival 32

 

[fredrussell]

As others have said, Fulmar, Sadler or Moody from the 80’s

 

[Dellquay13]

Are you buying in the UK? If so then there are plenty of boats that size which will have nominal headroom that you require - Sadler 32, Westerly Fulmar, Moody 30 and older deeper hulled boats like Nic 32 or cruiser racer like Contessa 32 or Centurion 32.

Just about all boats of that size are "seaworthy". In your price range you won't get an AWB so choose from a wide range of boats built between the 1960-80s. Headroom is unlikely to be an issue - at least in the centre of the main saloon and there are far more important things to look at, not least the condition of the boat and its equipment.

if however you are buying outside the UK then you will be faced with a different set of available boats depending on what is available in the country you are buying in.

I think this reply has it.
Why suggest old boats which are largely restricted to the UK 2nd hand market, when the OP is in Belgium. (Barring the odd or isolated example of course, before someone Googles up the exception)
After the ‘B****t event’ we that can’t name, can you easily import old UK (3rd country) boats into the EU?

 

[Tranona]

Thanks ! I live on Belgium. I’m ready to travel if I find a nice boat !
About the Contessa and Centurion, they are about 1m80, so too low for me.

Nic is a nice boat, but long keel and not very practical to get to the berth. I prefer a long fin keel that will point out better. …

You need to think about where and how you are going to use the boat plus where you are resident. For example it makes no sense to buy a boat in the UK if you are resident in the EU and want to use the boat there. That is why I asked the question as to where you are buying as the supply of the many UK made boats that might suit is poor in the EU, in just the same way as boats like the Sagitta is almost unknown in the UK. Also not sure why you are focusing on headroom as essential. I agree that the Contessa and Centurion are a bit tight but owners might well tell you they are the most "seaworthy" boats of that size.

The Netherlands is in general a good place to buy a used boat because generally boats are well cared for and well priced. Probably better to look there than try to get suggestions from the UK which inevitably will mostly for boats that are impractical for you to buy.

 

[MontyMariner]

Colvic Countess 33 has lots of headroom
Lady in Red - Colvic Countess : Monty Mariner

 

[BarryWhite]

You need to think about where and how you are going to use the boat plus where you are resident. For example it makes no sense to buy a boat in the UK if you are resident in the EU and want to use the boat there. That is why I asked the question as to where you are buying as the supply of the many UK made boats that might suit is poor in the EU, in just the same way as boats like the Sagitta is almost unknown in the UK. Also not sure why you are focusing on headroom as essential. I agree that the Contessa and Centurion are a bit tight but owners might well tell you they are the most "seaworthy" boats of that size.

The Netherlands is in general a good place to buy a used boat because generally boats are well cared for and well priced. Probably better to look there than try to get suggestions from the UK which inevitably will mostly for boats that are impractical for you to buy.

Thanks for your comments.

Indeed, but Dutch at are mainly sailing in Zeeland. I’ve already sailed on many boats, like Feeling 325, Sun Fizz, Fist 40.7 / 40, Wauquiez 40, Linjett 40, Oceanis 46, etc. After one week on the Feeling with headroom below 1m85 I had serious back pain. On a Wauquiez, after 3 weeks / 1500 Nm I had no issue. Headroom is important for me.

 

[BarryWhite]

I think this reply has it.
Why suggest old boats which are largely restricted to the UK 2nd hand market, when the OP is in Belgium. (Barring the odd or isolated example of course, before someone Googles up the exception)
After the ‘B****t event’ we that can’t name, can you easily import old UK (3rd country) boats into the EU?

Old boats yes