The Sadler 32 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Published Specification for the Sadler 32

Underwater Profile: Fin keel & rudder on half-skeg

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 31'6" (9.6m)

Waterline Length: 24'0" (7.3m)

Beam: 10'6" (3.2m)

Draft: 5'7" (1.7m)*

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Displacement: 9,000lb (4,309kg)

Ballast: 4,200lb (1,905kg)

Designer: David Sadler

Builder: Sadler Yachts (UK)

Year First Built: 1979

Year Last Built: 1989

Number Built: 300

* Two other keel versions were produced:

• Shallow draft fin keel - 4'6" (1.4m)
• Bilge keels - 4'0" (1.2m)

Published Design Ratios for the Sadler 32

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 15.1

• Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
• 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
• Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 44.2

• Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
• Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 308

• Under 100: Ultralight
• 100 to 200: Light
• 200 to 275: Moderate
• 275 to 350: Heavy
• Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 24.4

• Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
• 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
• 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
• 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
• Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.9

• Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
• Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

Read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Sadler 32

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 15.1 suggests that the Sadler 32 will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 44.2 means that the Sadler 32 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 308, tells us the Sadler 32 is clearly a heavy displacement cruising boat. You can load her down with all your cruising gear and equipment and it will hardly affect her waterline. 

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 24.4 suggests that crew comfort of a Sadler 32 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability, which is not the best of news for anyone prone to seasickness. 

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.9 indicates that a Sadler 32 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.