Design and Construction
Ellis's hull is solid fiberglass below, while the deck is cored with end-grain balsa, and the two are joined by the hatbox flange arrangement that Ouyang used across its line. The fin keel is bolted to the hull, and a short bowsprit lengthens the foretriangle to compensate for the somewhat forward placement of that keel anchor. Below the waterline the boat draws 4 feet 9 inches, with a beam of 10 feet 10 inches and a 25-foot waterline inside a 32-foot 5-inch overall length. The keel-stepped mast carries a high-aspect-ratio masthead sloop rig, and all sail controls lead aft so the boat can be worked from the cockpit.
Rig and Handling
The rig itself is tall for the hull, which helps the Aloha 32 move along in light air, and the modest 9,800-pound displacement means she accelerates well anchor. With a 100 percent sail area of 518 square feet and a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 18.1, she is lively without being twitchy. In heavy air the mainsail should be reefed early; with properly shortened sails she sails on her feet at or near the theoretical hull speed of 6.7 knots. Rather than a traveler, two main sheets run in an inverted-V, each cleated to either side of the companionway hatch. The PHRF rating without flying sails is 189 and drops to 171 with a spinnaker.
Accommodations
The Aloha 32 was offered in two interior configurations. One provides a traditional V-berth forward and a saloon with opposing settees flanking a centerline drop-leaf table anchor. The other replaces the V-berth with a workshop, sail bins, and stowage—an "all-business" space set off from the main saloon by a pair of hanging lockers. Both layouts share a generous head compartment with a shower and a wet locker, and an L-shaped galley with a sink, a propane stove with oven, and a well-insulated icebox. Cruising World characterized her as a comfortable, traditionally styled cruising sailboat more than adequate for coastal work, if a little light for serious bluewater passage-making.
Known Issues
Prospective owners should check for loose aft keel bolts, which have been reported as a consequence of bilgewater degrading some of the steel structural components anchor. The wooden chainplate knees are also subject to rot and warrant close inspection.
Refits and Ownership
The original auxiliary was a two-cylinder, 16-horsepower Atomic diesel, but in 1985 the builder switched to a three-cylinder, 21-horsepower Westerbeke that can push the boat close to hull speed anchor. Earlier hulls may have been repowered with the later engine. Fuel capacity is 20 Imperial gallons and water is 60 Imperial gallons, with a 30-gallon holding tank—ample for extended coastal use.
The Verdict
The Aloha 32 is a well-balanced coastal cruiser with a thoughtful deck plan and a rig that rewards short-handed sailing. The two interior options let a buyer choose between guest berths and dedicated workshop storage, and the hull-to-deck joint is a sound structural detail for the era. The caveats are specific and inspectable: aft keel bolts and chainplate knees demand attention, and the light displacement argues against offshore ambitions.
Pros
- Tall rig and modest displacement give quick acceleration and good light-air performance
- All sail controls lead aft for safe cockpit handling
- Choice of V-berth or workshop forward layout
- The 21-horsepower Westerbeke diesel pushes boat near hull speed
Cons
- Loose aft keel bolts possible from bilgewater damage to steel structure
- Wooden chainplate knees prone to rot
- Light displacement limits serious bluewater suitability
