Paceship 32 (Tripp) Information, Review, Specs

The story of the Paceship 32 is rooted in an earlier design by William H. Tripp Jr., first appearing as the Galaxy 32. Production of these initial hulls is attributed to Beetle Boats of Rhode Island, and by 1958, the Galaxy 32 was also built by the American Boatbuilding Corporation. Over the years, other builders like Coleman Boat Co. and Metalmast Marine also produced versions of the Galaxy 32. Paceship Yachts of Canada acquired the molds and introduced their own iteration, calling it the Paceship 32, and by 1973, also marketing it as the Tripp 32. The Paceship version featured a modified keel and a more traditional extended coach roof, distinguishing it from earlier models.

Paceship Yachts, having rebuilt their plant in 1956 to become an early adopter of fiberglass construction, was known for producing practical and accessible sailboats. William H. Tripp Jr., a prolific American naval architect, was celebrated for creating "winning and weatherly sailboats". His design philosophy often centered on "sailing simplicity, light air performance, and ocean-trotting abilities," aiming for yachts that offered a robust blend of cruising comfort and respectable sailing characteristics. The Paceship 32, with its solid fiberglass hull and fin keel with a skeg-hung rudder, embodies this philosophy, suggesting a boat built for reliable passage-making.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Paceship 32 is characterized by a heavy displacement and a masthead sloop rig, indicative of its cruising intentions. With a displacement of 10,600 lbs on a waterline length of 23.0 feet, her displacement-to-length ratio of approximately 389 confirms her status as a heavy cruiser, suggesting a comfortable motion in a seaway. Her sail area to displacement ratio of about 14.67 implies that she is not optimized for light-air performance but will appreciate a steady breeze to get moving efficiently. The ballast to displacement ratio of 0.245, while not exceptionally high, contributes to her "reasonably stable / stiff" nature and "good righting capability".

Designed with a fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder, the Paceship 32 is expected to offer good directional stability and control, particularly on longer passages. General descriptions of the Galaxy 32, its predecessor, often highlight it as a "solid sailing boat for day trips or cruising" and "best suited as a bluewater cruising boat," suggesting confidence in its seagoing abilities. While specific performance anecdotes for the Paceship 32 are limited, the design lineage points to a boat that handles predictably and inspires confidence in various conditions.

Accommodations and Layout

Detailed information regarding the interior layout and specific accommodations of the Paceship 32 (Tripp) is scarce in available records. The boat's specifications do not provide a maximum headroom measurement, which often implies that while comfortable, it might not feature exceptionally generous standing room throughout. As a vessel designed in the 1960s and 70s, it would typically feature a traditional interior arrangement, likely including a V-berth forward, a main salon with settees that convert to berths, a galley area, and a navigation station. Given the builder's focus on practical and accessible sailboats, the interior finishes would likely be durable and functional, featuring a combination of fiberglass liners and wood trim common for the era. Storage would typically be found under berths and behind settees, with potentially limited dedicated hanging lockers. Without specific documentation, the precise arrangement, material choices, and ventilation features remain unconfirmed.