RIVAL 32 - INFORMATION PLEASE?

[alisdair4]

Hi,

I'm finally thinking of moving up from Freya, and have been looking, among others, at a Rival 32.

I am well aware of the performance differences (!) between what I currently sail and a larger, displacement boat. However, as SWMBO has now got the tast for blue (well, grey) water off Islay last week, I think the Rival may be just the job. So, a couple of specific questions - grateful for any advice:

1. The boat I am looking at is 1982 - and has an asking price of around £25K - does this seem fair?

2. There seem to be a number of problems with the window frames ("disintegration" of several of them). Is this common? Is it possible to get replacement frames?

3. The capping rail (which I presume was teak) on the gunwale has been replaced by a synthetic material. Having spoken to the current owner, he said that the original wood had decayed. This seems inconsistent with Rival's reputation for quality -any comments?

4. The boat has an "Easyreef" mainsail furling system -any comments as to the effectiveness of this system?

Thanks in advance.

Alisdair

 

[MoodySabre]

lovely boats. I'd ask these model specific question on the owners site here
http://www.rivalowners.org.uk/

 

[Guest]

Post deleted by danfoley

 

[bilbobaggins]

I'm sure the owners website will be most helpful...

I know these are rugged and dependable boats, but home-completed ones are mostly showing the strain and need regular TLC on systems and bits. The window frames are, I suspect, part of this issue.

The teak capping is another matter. It should - by comparison - be still in good shape, and one might want to look closely at the hull/deck join, under the capping, for signs of more recent damage and non-professional repair.

Are you having a professional and Rival-experienced survey done? If not, why not.....?



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[Guest]

[ QUOTE ]
I imagine replacing with teak will cost you a fair whack (£1500?)

[/ QUOTE ]
I would be surprised if it came to that much. I had half of it replaced along one side, can't remember how much it cost, but I think in the region of £200 - £250 incl. labour. Roughly multiply by 4, say £900, for the whole boat?

 

[RivalRedwing]

As an owner of a '72 vintage R32 I admit to being a little biased but I think they are superb sailing boats. £25 k is not unreasonable but it really dpends on the state of the individual boat - what are the sails like? the electrics? the engine? I paid a little less than that for mine about 4 years ago, its sails were shot but it had a new engine and some decent electronics. I've seen quite a few Rivals with a modified capping rail (usually in a black, dense plastic), and I must admit my teak is showing its age and I was thinking about doing the same job. ROA are a helpful crowd.

 

[NealB]

I delivered a Rival 31 from Plymouth to the Solent a couple of years ago (basically the same boat, but with transom hung rudder rather than a counter stern).

She was a nicely maintained example that had been yard finished. She was bought for £18000.

She had no window problems, but she, too, had the synthetic capping rail. I've seen so many Rivals with this, that I suspect it was standard. I may be wrong, but YM did a test review when the boats were being built, and I'd swear that the boat in the photo had the same capping rail. It looks smart, seems durable and only needs cleaning.

The boat is very steady, performs decently, is cramped by today's standards and feels pretty bullet proof. Those wide side decks are lovely.

 

[pessimist]

Can't comment on the 32, but we looked at a number of 34s and about 30% had synthetic capping. I think that teak decks and capping were an option throughout the range. We now have a 41 and I really wish we didn't have the teak deck and capping. Far too much work.

FWIW I think all of the Rivals are great boats, just a little short of space by modern standards.

 

[KenMcCulloch]

I concur regarding the capping rail, I have sailed several Rivals of various sizes and from memory most had plastic capping material on the low gunwale. My only caveat regarding these boats is that they are pretty heavy and do need a good bit of wind to get them moving. Not great in light airs.

 

[alisdair4]

Yes, I can see that from the specifications. However, as my usual cruising area is West of Scotland, the light wind performance should not be a problem!

 

[santeana]

Asking price - 25k seems a reasonable price for an '82 R32 in good condition. That said, I'd be concerned that the window frame problem should be addressed at this price and seek a corresponding reduction/correction. As already posted a survey is recommended to support such action and maybe to uncover other subjects for negotiation. My R34 has aluminium frames and if your R32 is similar, corrosion may have been promoted thro using SS fixing screws. Post on the ROA - I know of at least one member who has replaced frames on an R34.

The black capping rail is common on lots of Rivals. It would be worth you checking as the original teak cap is not normally replaced (AFAIK) but itself is capped by the black plastic handrail moulding. It works well and looks ok.

Sorry, no knowledge of main furling but again post question on ROA.

As you know Rival 31/32/34 are heavy displacement:LWL but with good sails perform respectfully in F3. Well suited for cruising The Isles. I'm sure you'll "love it". Hope to see you there!

Cheers, Ron

 

[Guest]

I understand that teak capping railing isn't too hard to replace DIY. Haven't tried it myself, but know someone who has. You can source the teak stuff here for example.

 

[hebdena]

I've had a Rival 31 for 5 years now and done just about every type of maintenance these boats need.
Cost is very much dependant on condition when over 20 plus years old. £25,000 may be a good price for a 25 year old 32 but not if she needs a new engine, standing riiging, sails, re-wiring, new safety equipment etc etc......... then it is not so good. An older 32 but in excellent order may be worth spending up to£30k on if there is no further spend required.
The surveyor you employ should know the market value and will advise.
I still have the original teak toe rail and it is still in good order (apart from the bit I crunched a while back, this is new!)
I removed the toerail a few years ago to take home and varnish. The deck to hull join was OK and not leaking but the filler used had softened and crumbled in places. I gouged this out and poured in epoxy on a hot day so this will have found any nooks and crannies, good as new!
I don't like the pastic covered aluminium toe rails but that is a personal thing.
The rudder on a 31 is not transom hung, it is the same as a 32. The only difference between a 31 and a 32 is the transom, normal vs. reverse.
As for performance, I sailed back from Moelfre to Conwy yesterday at the same time as a Contessa 32 and matched her most of the way. I had a reef in the main and she didn't. I suspect that she was not trying that hard but even so it does show that the 31/32 is not the sluggard some people will have you believe.
Like some of the other posters, I am biased and I certainly know what I would want to be in when the going gets rough. I also like Contessa 32s just as much!
Mail me at hebdena1@aol.com if you want more info.

 

[julianmingham]

As an owner of a R34 with an 'Easyreef' mainsail furling system I would like to add the following to the comments already made by 'the panel':

a) I agree that the Rival is a very sturdy 'go anywhere' boat that will keep going when most other boats have gone home
b) The Easyreef system is, I assume, an add-on to the original mast (mine is).
c) When it works, which is at least 99% of the time, than it's great, ... furling the mainsail is easy and safe from the cockpit. The downsides are two-fold:
1. The mainsail is a little smaller as it has no roach, hence potentially reducing performance when there's not much wind.
2. There is a potential for it get stuck, i.e. part way in, which can be a pain in the ****. You will increase the possibility of this if you have an old mainsail which may have become 'baggy' , ... since I bought a new mainsail I have never had a problem. You will decrease the possibility of this by taking care that there are no creases in the sail as it is being furled.

My summary is that for coastal cruising it's great, particularly if you are likely to have an inexperienced crew. However I would not recomend it for off-shore use.

hope this helps

 

[Seakindly]

Just bought a Rival 32 myself and moving 'up' in size from a Twister, it's the headroom and space I value and feels generous. Very sturdy boat indeed and though an early seventies model, no w.frame problems or decayed rail for that matter. Just the job for long-distant work. The ROA site has some smashing old brochure PDF downloads with tartan upholstory and trendy couples with their fondue sticks. The Rival was advertised as a passage-making boat and certainly feels like one. Loads of storage space and sleeps six or seven. The later model will certainly have the dinette to one side which seems like a good option to keep dozing crew clear of the action and a huge double bed in port. To be honest, I'd see if the seller will come down a bit. This size of boat is not the big seller it once was.