Design Brief & Intent
The primary mission of the Catfisher 32 MS was to translate the "go-anywhere, do-anything" ethos of the classic trawler-style Fisher motorsailers into a stable, twin-hulled platform. While traditional catamarans of the 1980s prioritized lightweight structures and high sailing speeds, the Catfisher took the opposite approach, embracing a robust, heavy-displacement fiberglass construction that prioritized physical protection and luxury of space.
Inside, the vessel leverages its 13.08-foot beam to provide an interior layout that remains unparalleled for a 32-foot yacht. The hallmark of the design is the raised bridge-deck saloon and pilothouse, which provides the helmsman with 360-degree visibility while remaining completely sheltered from the elements. The interior joinery is heavily influenced by its Fisher heritage, featuring rich marine plywood, solid teak trim, and a warm, traditional aesthetic. With a headroom of 6.17 feet throughout the hulls and saloon, the boat feels remarkably open. It comfortably manages to fit three separate private cabins, a generous galley, a dedicated head, and a central social area—a feat of volumetric engineering that makes contemporary monohulls of similar length feel cramped and dark.
Compared to lighter catamaran designs of the same era, such as the early PDQ or Gemini models, the Catfisher is far more solidly built, providing a secure, vibration-dampened living environment at the expense of light-air sailing performance.
Variations & Configurations
The Catfisher 32 MS is a direct evolution of the earlier Catfisher 28, and understanding this lineage is critical to appreciating its hull configuration. The original 28-foot model was designed with double-ended canoe sterns to mimic the look of the classic Fisher monohulls. However, this configuration suffered from severe pitching—commonly referred to as "hobbyhorsing"—in short, choppy seas. To address this, the hulls were extended by four feet on the 32 MS. These integrated transom extensions functioned as aft suppression plates, dramatically increasing buoyancy at the stern, lengthening the waterline, and effectively curing the pitching motion while facilitating an easier step aboard from a dinghy.
While the earlier 28-foot models were typically rigged as ketches, the Catfisher 32 MS transitioned to a simpler and more efficient masthead sloop configuration. Draft is kept to a highly versatile 3.0 feet, utilizing low-aspect-ratio twin bilge keels. This configuration allows the vessel to easily navigate shallow coastal waters and safely dry out upright on tidal gridirons or sandy bottoms, making it a favorite for cruising grounds with extreme tidal ranges, such as the Pacific Northwest or the British coast.
Sailing Performance & Handling
The sailing dynamics of the Catfisher 32 MS are defined by its hybrid identity as a motorsailer. Carrying a displacement of 11,023 pounds against a modest sail area, the yacht has a Sail Area-to-Displacement ratio of 15.02. This low ratio indicates that the boat is under-canvased for light-air sailing. In breezes under ten knots, the heavy hull can be sluggish to accelerate and struggles to point effectively into the wind. However, as the wind increases, the boat finds its stride. It handles comfortably off the wind on a reach or a run, where the stable hull form and generous buoyancy keep the ride secure and predictable.
Its Displacement-to-Length ratio of 201.77 classifies it as a moderate-displacement cruiser. The physical implication of this is a highly dampened, seakindly motion in choppy water. Unlike lightweight modern catamarans that suffer from sharp, jerky accelerations over waves, the Catfisher plows through chop with a reassuring, monohull-like cadence. The Capsize Screening Ratio of 2.35 and a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 18.56 represent a very stable and stiff platform.
Under power, the yacht is typically equipped with a 34-horsepower Yanmar diesel engine. In many of these vessels, this single engine is centrally mounted and coupled to a steerable, retractable Sonic outdrive leg. Because the outdrive leg pivots in tandem with the rudders, the propeller thrust can be directed laterally, granting the Catfisher 32 MS exceptional low-speed maneuverability in tight marina slips—effectively mimicking the control of a twin-engine vessel. Furthermore, the ability to tilt the outdrive leg out of the water while under sail eliminates hydrodynamic drag and prevents marine growth on the propeller.
Market Snapshot & Economics
Given that only 17 or 18 hulls were ever built, the Catfisher 32 MS is an exceedingly rare find on the global brokerage market. They are highly prized by a niche segment of cruisers who value weather-protected helm stations and shallow-draft capability. Consequently, they tend to hold their value remarkably well, often trading at a premium compared to more common, mass-production catamarans of similar vintage.
However, prospective buyers must factor in the unique refit economics of a rare British build. Because so few were produced, there are no off-the-shelf replacement parts for specialized components like the custom window frames or the proprietary steering linkages. Any major overhaul of these systems will require custom fabrication.
Known Issues & Triage
For those evaluating a Catfisher 32 MS on the secondary market, several model-specific areas require rigorous inspection:
- Sonic Outdrive Leg: The Sillette Sonic outdrive is the mechanical heart of the boat's propulsion system but is a high-maintenance component. The aluminum casting is highly susceptible to galvanic corrosion if the sacrificial anodes are neglected. Additionally, the rubber bellows that seal the drive pivot must be replaced periodically; a ruptured bellow can lead to water intrusion into the drive unit or even the vessel itself. Buyers should check for play in the steering helmet and water contamination in the outdrive gear oil.
- Pilothouse Window Leaks: The expansive, forward-facing wheelhouse windows provide excellent visibility but are a notorious source of water ingress. Over decades, the original bedding compounds dry out and shrink, allowing rainwater to penetrate. This can result in structural rot in the wooden bulkheads and dash panels directly below the window frames.
- Deck Coring Integrity: While the hulls are solid fiberglass, the decks and cabin top are sandwich-constructed with a balsa core. Over time, poorly sealed deck hardware, stanchion bases, and handrails can allow water to seep into the balsa, leading to localized delamination and soft spots.
- Steering Linkage Wear: Because the Catfisher features both an internal helm in the wheelhouse and an external helm in the cockpit, the steering cables and mechanical linkages are long and complex. Backlash or stiff steering is common in neglected units and requires a systematic overhaul of the pulleys, cables, and the alignment of the dual rudders.
Modernization & Upgrades
Many current owners have undertaken significant upgrades to adapt the Catfisher 32 MS to modern cruising standards:
- Drivetrain Refits: While the Yanmar 3HM is a highly reliable engine, units approaching forty years of service are often repowered with modern, more efficient diesels, such as Beta Marine engines. Some owners have also chosen to lock the Sonic leg in a fixed position and install a standard sail-drive, sacrificing some maneuverability to eliminate the maintenance overhead of the tilting outdrive leg.
- Lithium (LiFePO4) Electrical Conversions: The spacious cabins and lockers offer ample room for modern house battery banks. Upgrading to lithium iron phosphate batteries allows liveaboards to run high-draw appliances like induction cooktops, watermakers, and cabin heaters without carrying the prohibitive weight of traditional lead-acid batteries, preserving the catamaran’s buoyancy.
- Window Remounting: Replacing the original, leaky safety glass with modern, UV-resistant acrylic or tempered glass panels bedded in high-performance polyurethane adhesives is a highly recommended upgrade that permanently resolves the common wheelhouse leakage issues.
The Verdict
The Catfisher 32 MS is a stoutly built, highly specialized pocket cruiser that successfully blends the year-round comfort of a classic motorsailer with the shallow-draft versatility of a catamaran. It is a slow, steady cruiser designed to prioritize comfort and safety over speed, making it an excellent liveaboard platform for challenging, cooler climates.
Pros
- Exceptional interior volume and headroom for a 32-foot boat, featuring three private cabins.
- The protected, 360-degree pilothouse allows for comfortable piloting in inclement weather.
- Shallow draft and twin-keel hull form allow for beaching and easy tidal cruising.
- Excellent low-speed maneuverability when utilizing the steerable outdrive leg.
- Highly robust construction built to Lloyds standards, offering a gentle, seakindly motion.
Cons
- Poor light-air sailing performance; the boat requires a fresh breeze to move well under sail alone.
- High maintenance overhead and parts scarcity associated with the Sonic outdrive leg.
- Extreme market scarcity makes finding clean, well-maintained units difficult.
- Complex mechanical steering system due to the dual-station helm configuration.
