Sadler 32 vrs Rival 32 vrs UFO34

Phideaux

Phideaux

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I don't know how people rate these three boats as off-shore cruisers for single or short-handed sailing. All three are being offered for around £15k-£17k. The Sadler and Rival have good surveys with some recommendations for minor repairs / maintenance. The UFO needing some updating internally, new instrumentation and some basic maintenance, but otherwise sound and seaworthy.
 
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The sweetest sailer will be the UFO 34. Most were built to a racing layout but more cruisy versions were available, including one called I think a Hazelwood 34. I think some were home completed.

Sadler 32 is next best sailer, smaller than the UFO by more than the 2ft suggests, came with deep or shallow fin options or twin keels.

Rival 32 is the slowest of the bunch, ponderous would be my description, the Rival 34 was an attempt to improve the design by adding a tail and is a better boat IMO, but still not quick.

The UFO and Sadler will be much more manageable in a marina and will go backwards, the Rival 32 might, just not where you want it to though.

If you find a good UFO34 or one that can be made so, go for it.
 
Sadler is certainly well regarded and I know of a couple happily owned by liveaboards in the Med. Rival (I own a 32) is justifiably a by-word for solidity and seaworthiness. I don't know the UFO34 particularly well, but used to own a UFO27. I imagine it's roomier than either of the others but also friskier, especially downwind in a sea. The R32 is the least roomy, but fine for solo liveaboard. Headroom is just enough for my 6'1" (unlike the pokey Contessa 32). I'm v happy with mine which I've owned for seven years (and spent a small fortune on). She's far better at sea than me, which is the main thing I ask for.

UFOs were built by Colvic to Lloyds standard, so solidy made, although generally lighter in construction than Rival. Faster and closer-winded, too. On other hand it'll probaby offer a less relaxed ride.

Plenty of info on Rivals on the owner's association website, www.rivalowners.org.uk

What year is the Rival? Early ones were yard-finished, later ones finished elsewhere (some by other yards, some by owners), so internal quality varies greatly. If you go for the Rival, check out the chainplates for forward lowers: you might find there aren't any! (Easy to do yourself, no need for surveryor. If already surveyed, don't assume he spotted it.) If they're missing, it's a pretty easy fix, but gives you a good bargaining position on price.

Rival had Kemp spars as new, including roller-boom reefing. Most of these have by now been converted to slab reefing. Either way, check the boom fitting to which the mainsheet attaches: they have been known to fracture.

If you wish to pm me, I'd be happy to offer more info on the R32.

A couple of general points (hope not teaching granny to suck eggs):
1. Don't be over-influenced by the asking price. Good kit already on the boat saves a fortune. It adds very little to the value of the boat, but replacing it can be eye-watering. I'm thinking particularly of engine, sails, furling gear, self-steering kit. If you have long passages in mind, you may also be attracted to solar panels, wind gen. Electric windlass also priceless. If your "off-shore" includes anywhere hot, a bimini might also be a priority: it'd cost best part of £2K to have one made.

2. You mention solo/short-handed sailing so may be tempted to give high priority to lines led aft. In my view this is much over-rated. By far the biggest asset for single-handed sailing is dependable self-steering. Personally I'd rather have all that clutter at the mast (which you have to visit to reef, anyway, unless single-line reefing) than dangling down the companionway.

Good luck.

I'm editing this in light of the post above:
Robin is correct that R32 not brilliant in reverse. Old fashioned gearbox: forward, neutral and sideways. OK when you get used to it, but reverse like a mini, she won't.
I know several R34 owners and their (the boats', not the owners') sailing characteristics and speed are pretty much indistinguishable from 32. Internal volume is only a few inches greater: most of what you get is 2 feet stuck on the stern, a much narrower transom and smaller lazarette. And a significantly larger asking price.
 
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Robin said:
The sweetest sailer will be the UFO 34. Most were built to a racing layout but more cruisy versions were available, including one called I think a Hazelwood 34. I think some were home completed.

Sadler 32 is next best sailer, smaller than the UFO by more than the 2ft suggests, came with deep or shallow fin options or twin keels.

Rival 32 is the slowest of the bunch, ponderous would be my description, the Rival 34 was an attempt to improve the design by adding a tail and is a better boat IMO, but still not quick.

The UFO and Sadler will be much more manageable in a marina and will go backwards, the Rival 32 might, just not where you want it to though.

If you find a good UFO34 or one that can be made so, go for it.
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Hi thanks for your reply. I must say that looking at photos and specification of the Rival 32 it just doesn't appeal (but the broker's keen to sell it :rolleyes:). The Sadler 32 looks like a good buy, but I'm not sure that I wouldn't be looking to move up in size within a season or two.

The UFO has a good hull and rigging but is going to need some work to fix things like a leaky window; re-upholstering; re-wiring; new batteries, shore power and power management system; new wind, speed and depth instrumentation; chartplotter (could get by without as I tend to use paper charts), all the internal woodwork needs rubbing down and re-varnishing; new cooker; new ice box / fridge; hot water and heating (a little luxury :) )
 
With your emphasis on single or short handed sailing offshore I would have though that the UFO might be a bit much to handle and tiring although I have no experience of the boat. I'm also a little surprise that the Sadler is the same price as a R32 (I would have expected it to be a little more), as macd commented, the fit out / upgrades / general condition will be key. You'll find that the Sadler will have more room than the R32 but I cannot agree that the R32 is a ponderous sailer - controlled more by the way the owner wishes to sail and the age of the sails, mine nipped along quite nicely, and kept me safe in a blow.
 
Moonfire said:
... but I cannot agree that the R32 is a ponderous sailer -
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I'm sure a Melges sailor would think a UFO to be a sluggush tractor! No-one can really advise as to what type of boat another will enjoy, but then you wouldn't try to go short-handed cruising in the Melges, either!

My take on it is that the R32 would be more suited to a singlehander or couple who wants to go long distance - it's easier to get away from the tiller on a long-keeled boat. The Sadler will cover the ground very well and with judicious use of an autopilot can be sailed single-handed. The UFO should be a touch quicker, but if you're short or single-handed, then you'll be reefed down earlier to keep things under control. Not sure where the suggestion of short-handed came from, but unless you're always fully crewed then moving up from this size could result in not going sailing!

Rob.
 
The prices sound keen, a mate of mine paid nearly 30k for a Sadler recently. From your list of defects you would need to spend a fair amount of money/effort to bring the UFO up to spec. The Rival has the advantage of the encapsulated keel - if you are keen on that sort of thing.
From what you say the Sadler possibly has the edge, a capable all rounder always easy to resell. If you are crossing an ocean, the Rival might appeal. Singlehanding these types of 32 foot boat is as good as it gets, though the Rival will need guile in a marina.
 
An ex-colleague and very experienced racing helm owned a UFO34 when he retired. He fitted the boat out for cruising and departed for the Med. Within a couple of years he sold it as being quite unsuitable for cruising. The main problem was that the topsides shape with its marked tumblehome makes sailing in any sea a very wet experience. I have sailed a Fastnet 34, quite similar in section to the UFO, and it remains the wettest boat I have ever been on. Water seems to cling to the topsides right to the toerail, then flies off and lands precisely on the helm position.

By contrast my Sadler 34, and possibly the 32 also, is very dry and it is is an unusual experience to have water on deck aft of the forehatch.
 
vyv_cox said:
An ex-colleague and very experienced racing helm owned a UFO34 when he retired. He fitted the boat out for cruising and departed for the Med. Within a couple of years he sold it as being quite unsuitable for cruising. The main problem was that the topsides shape with its marked tumblehome makes sailing in any sea a very wet experience. I have sailed a Fastnet 34, quite similar in section to the UFO, and it remains the wettest boat I have ever been on. Water seems to cling to the topsides right to the toerail, then flies off and lands precisely on the helm position.

By contrast my Sadler 34, and possibly the 32 also, is very dry and it is is an unusual experience to have water on deck aft of the forehatch.
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Yes, I've also read previous posts about the UFO 34 being very wet.

I still hanker after a SHE 36 (I've also come across a very cheap Dufour 39) but they are outside of my budget unless I save for at least another 12 months :( However, this might be a better bet as I have plenty of offers for weekends and longer holiday sailing this year on a range of boats and hope to pass the 3000 Nm mark (sufficient for the YM Offshore) by late summer.
 
Phideaux said:
Yes, I've also read previous posts about the UFO 34 being very wet.

I still hanker after a SHE 36 (I've also come across a very cheap Dufour 39) but they are outside of my budget unless I save for at least another 12 months :( However, this might be a better bet as I have plenty of offers for weekends and longer holiday sailing this year on a range of boats and hope to pass the 3000 Nm mark (sufficient for the YM Offshore) by late summer.
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You can not compare a She 36 with these others. IMO the S&S She 36 is a classic. That said she will be a lot more money that the boats you are looking at. Having sailed all of these I would go for the UFO 34 as my first choice (assuming i can't afford a She 36). Although the RIVAL may make the best cursing boat. i am not a big fan of the Sadler 32 but the 34 well that's a different story.....
 
temptress said:
You can not compare a She 36 with these others. IMO the S&S She 36 is a classic. That said she will be a lot more money that the boats you are looking at. Having sailed all of these I would go for the UFO 34 as my first choice (assuming i can't afford a She 36). Although the RIVAL may make the best cursing boat. i am not a big fan of the Sadler 32 but the 34 well that's a different story.....
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Thanks for your reply. There have been a couple of SHE 36's that have gone for, or are currently priced at £22k - 25K, inevitably they will need work doing to them. I'll have to keep my eye out for a Sadler 34 and do a bit of research on this model.
 
For - sake go for the She 36, if you only have to wait 12 months and 'there might be some work' that's nothing in terms of getting hold of such a boat !

I do know the costs for replacing kit at this size - and pedigree - can be horrific, to be honest a step up from the 32-34's mentioned, but if it's realistically possible within your budget ( nothing worse than living in dread of the next big bill, a show-stopper), it must be the way to go; the clue is in your own phrase " I still hanker for " !
 
Seajet said:
For - sake go for the She 36, if you only have to wait 12 months and 'there might be some work' that's nothing in terms of getting hold of such a boat !

I do know the costs for replacing kit at this size - and pedigree - can be horrific, to be honest a step up from the 32-34's mentioned, but if it's realistically possible within your budget ( nothing worse than living in dread of the next big bill, a show-stopper), it must be the way to go; the clue is in your own phrase " I still hanker for " !
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Yes, you're probably right. I guess I've got some money burning a hole in my pocket and I'd really like to have my own boat that I can take out when I want to, even if it's just to practice picking up mooring buoys and getting onto pontoons in different wind/tide combinations under sail or engine. However, I don't want to be stuck with something that I'm not really happy with, just for the sake of having 'something' (especially if I've got to spend time and money fixing things).
 
Robin said:
The sweetest sailer will be the UFO 34. Most were built to a racing layout but more cruisy versions were available, including one called I think a Hazelwood 34. I think some were home completed.

Sadler 32 is next best sailer, smaller than the UFO by more than the 2ft suggests, came with deep or shallow fin options or twin keels.

Rival 32 is the slowest of the bunch, ponderous would be my description, the Rival 34 was an attempt to improve the design by adding a tail and is a better boat IMO, but still not quick.

The UFO and Sadler will be much more manageable in a marina and will go backwards, the Rival 32 might, just not where you want it to though.

If you find a good UFO34 or one that can be made so, go for it.
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Mostly I agree with this but for single handing I would suggest the Rival. Single handing requires a boat that is a bit ponderous - the opposite end of the sailing spectrum form a dinghy. You need to be able to leave the helm, to let the boat look after itself, to heave to. You want a boat that doesnt move quickly.
 
Phideaux said:
I don't know how people rate these three boats as off-shore cruisers for single or short-handed sailing. All three are being offered for around £15k-£17k. The Sadler and Rival have good surveys with some recommendations for minor repairs / maintenance. The UFO needing some updating internally, new instrumentation and some basic maintenance, but otherwise sound and seaworthy.
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Have sailed Rival singlehanded, very easy, steady boat, not as slow as people make out. UFO never actually singlehanded but certainly sailed lost of miles with no non-spinnaker problems two-up. UFO a lovely boat to sail, fast and responsive, but the full genoa is a big sail. Mind you, a UFO with a reef in the main and a smaller genoa would probably still be faster than the Rival.

Sadler I have never actually sailed but have sailed alongside them, a nice compromise between older Contessa 32/Rival designs and beamy racers like the UFO. Might well be the best overall choice singlehanded for coastal cruising.

As others have said buying a cheap boat to fix up is very time-consuming and can end up more expensive than finding a good one.
 
We upsized to a Sadler 32 a couple of years ago and honestly have not looked back. In good order £26K 1982 twin keel vsn. We sail with 3 kids and a labrador and often although I have crew on board I am sailing single handed. Easily handled and not slow, made passage from Harwich to Ostend and didn't disgrace ourselves with a Sigma 36 and Jeanneau 36 on a more northerly track.
We have been in heavy seas and our Sadler 32 always feels solid and sure down wind with a swell.
I guess we have our own thresholds for comfort speed and fit out. Sadler's have a good owners website and Mike Lucas (www.mikelucasyachting.co.uk) is a Gurhu for all things Sadler.
If you are looking for an Ocean crosser - 32ft may not be enough (I know plenty of smaller craft have done such great trips) but for Nth Sea and beyond, Cross channel, round Britain etc a great offshore cruiser IMHO.
Enjoy the search and good luck.
Ben
 
We have a Sadler 32, and cruised her around Scotland last year, blog below, a couple of points.

Great sailing boat, only our engine let us down. Motoring in reverse isn't her strong point, infact getting her to reverse to starboard is a thankless task, because of her offset prop. But as long as you only reverse to port when trying to turn her around it's a quirk you get used to.

It was actually available in 4 keel configurations deep and shallow fin, twin keels and centreboard. Deep fin has the perfromance, others have the lack draft.

The Rival is a smaller boat inside, strongly built. With too much weight in the ends they can hobby horse. The one I wet on had dark red cushions which gave her a snug dim interior.

Never been on a UFO34 but my father won their class in the 79 Fastnet, so understandably holds them in high regard. As others have said they were popular on the race circuits, but many have had a happy retirement since.

If you can save and get a bigger boat you'll have more options available to you...it all depends on when you want to be a penniless boat owner and have to pay for somewhere to keep it ;)
 
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