The Westsail 32 Sailboat

Published Specification for the Westsail 32

Underwater Profile: Long keel with transom-hung rudder

Hull Material: GRP

Length Overall: 32'0" / 9.75m

Waterline Length: 27'6" / 8.4m

Beam: 11'0" / 3.4m

Draft: 5'0" / 1.5m

Rig Type: Cutter

Displacement: 19,500lb / 8,845kg

Designer: Bill Crealock

Builder: Westsail Corporation. (USA)

Year First Built: 1971

Year Last Built: 1981

Number Built: 830

Owners Association: Westsail Owners Association

Published Design Ratios for the Westsail 32

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 16.7

• 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: 36.0

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

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 419

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

4. Comfort Ratio: 42.9

• 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: 1.6

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

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Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Westsail 32

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 16.7 suggests that the Westsail 32 will approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 36.0 means that unless the bulk of the ballast is concentrated in a bulb at the foot of her keel, the Westsail 32 will have a tendency to heel excessively in a gust, and she'll need to be reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze. 

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 419, tells us the Westsail 32 is firmly in the ultra-heavy displacement category. Load her up as much as you like and her performance will be hardly affected, not that it was ever startling. Few if any sailboats are built to this displacement category these days - but they remain popular with some long-distance sailors.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 42.9 suggests that crew comfort aboard a Westsail 32 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a heavy bluewater cruising boat. Pitching and rolling will be well damped - your cup of coffee on the salon table stands a reasonable chance of staying there in most conditions.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.6 tells us that a Westsail 32 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.