| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| © Yachtsnet Ltd. 2000/2022 |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Yachtsnet's
archive of boat details and pictures
|
| |
The following information and photographs are
displayed as a service to anyone researching yacht types. HOWEVER THE PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT ARE COVERED BY COPYRIGHT, AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF YACHTSNET LTD. Details
and photographs are normally based on one specific yacht, but could
be a compilation. No reliance should be placed on other yachts of
the same class being identical. Where common variations exist,
we have endeavoured to indicate this in these archive details. |
Sadler 32 |
Brief details |
Builder |
Sadler Yachts Ltd., Poole, Dorset. |
The Sadler 32 was designed by David Sadler as a modernised replacement for his very successful Contessa 32 design. The aim was to retain the speed and seaworthiness of the Contessa, but provide considerably better accommodation. With a foot more beam and higher topsides than the Contessa 32, the design worked well and again proved popular. The Sadler 32 is a true all-weather fast cruiser. |
LOA |
31' 6" |
Sail area |
believed 423 sq ft. |
LWL |
24' 0" |
Rig |
Masthead sloop |
Beam |
10' 6" |
Cabins |
Forecabin and saloon |
Draught |
5' 7" |
Berths |
6 |
Displacement |
9,500 lbs |
Engine |
Various |
Ballast |
4,200 lbs |
BHP |
typically 18 |
Keel type |
Iron fin keel with skeg-hung rudder |
 |
David Sadler was the designer of the famously seaworthy Contessa 26 and 32 yachts built by Jeremy Rogers. He also designed the Sadler 25 for his son Martin Sadler to build, which aso proved successful. By 1979 David Sadler wanted to create a boat as seaworthy as the Contessa 32, but with a more modern hullform giving much better accommodation. The result was the Sadler 32. In comparison to the Contessa 32, the Sadler 32 is six inches shorter, but
beamier and with higher freeboard.
The Sadler 32 has a single skin GRP hull with a bolt-on iron keel. The deck incorporates a grp moulded headlining, creating an air void between the inner and outer skin, helping to moderate temperature changes. The moulded grp deck is relatively non-slip when wet. It is easily handled shorthanded, and this yacht 'Kombu' has all control lines led aft, self tailing winches and an Autohelm 2000.
Both the Contessa 32 and the Sadler 32 have established a reputation as tough, go-anywhere yachts and both designs survived the infamous 1979 Fastnet Race; which saw 194 retirements, 24 boats abandoned and 15 deaths. His son Martin Sadler sailed a 32 in the 1979 Fastnet, though unlike the one Contessa 32 that completed the course, Martin decided to rest his crew and retire to Cork after surviving the worst of the weather.
About 300 Sadler 32s were built by Sadler in the UK over a ten year period from 1979 to 1989, by which time the design had been "stretched" to 34' 9" to become the Sadler 34. A few Sadler 32s were also later built in the UK by other builders including Mike Slack. A small but unknown number of Sadler 32s were also built in South Africa: the yacht illustrated is one of those.
"Yachting Monthly" in November 2009 described the Sadler 32 as ".... a boat that can be sailed hard and will keep you safe in adverse conditions. She’s drier than a Contessa in a seaway and sails better dead downwind. She’s also a more rewarding boat to gently cruise in light airs and more comfortable in harbour or at anchor, with a family-orientated cabin layout and extra interior volume." |
|
|
|
