Whistler 32 Cutter Information, Review, Specs

The creation of the Whistler 32 Cutter emerged from Able Marine's desire to expand its offerings beyond smaller trailerable sailboats to include a larger, more substantial cruising yacht. Chuck Paine, a designer celebrated for his collaborations with "highest quality yacht builders," was commissioned for the task. The model was initially introduced with an unstayed (wishbone) cat ketch rig and was subsequently renamed the Able 32. However, the design later evolved to feature a cutter rig, which significantly enhanced its windward performance, a characteristic highly valued in a cruising yacht. Able Marine, under Crozer Fox's leadership, maintained a steadfast commitment to traditional, high-quality construction methods, ensuring their vessels were built to endure. This ethos is evident in the Whistler 32's solid fiberglass hull and deck, and its lead ballast keel with a centerboard.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Whistler 32 Cutter is characterized by performance ratios that underscore its identity as a heavy-displacement, stable cruising yacht. With a Sail Area to Displacement Ratio (SA/D) of approximately 16.04, the boat demonstrates moderate performance in lighter winds, suggesting it is not designed as a pure light-air racer but is capable. The Ballast to Displacement Ratio (Bal/D) of around 0.40 indicates good stiffness and stability, allowing the vessel to stand up to a significant amount of wind and handle heavier seas comfortably. Furthermore, its Displacement to Length Ratio (D/L) of roughly 308.87 places it firmly in the category of a heavier, more traditional cruiser, emphasizing a comfortable motion and robust build over outright speed. Anecdotal accounts from the designer confirm that the cutter-rigged Whistler 32 was regarded as a "great sea boat" and exhibited excellent performance to windward, living up to its billing as a capable performance cruiser.

Accommodations and Layout

While specific detailed diagrams of the Whistler 32 Cutter's interior layout are not widely available, information suggests it featured a "standard" arrangement typical for a 32-foot sailboat of its era, maximizing functional space within its dimensions. Able Marine was known for its meticulous finishing work, and the interiors of the Whistler 32, including the initial cat-ketch version, were noted for their beautiful varnished cherry woodwork, reflecting the builder's commitment to craftsmanship. Given its hull dimensions—a length overall of 32.04 feet and a beam of 10.5 feet—the interior would typically include a V-berth forward, a head compartment, a salon with settees and a table, and a galley, providing essential amenities for coastal and offshore cruising. The design would have focused on practical storage solutions and adequate ventilation, consistent with a vessel intended for comfortable voyaging.