Design and Construction
Perry’s styling for the 32 Mark II reads modern yet softened: a nicely raked bow, a subtle sheer, and a reverse transom that flows naturally into the hull line. The moderate beam is carried well aft by mid-1970s standards, and the cabintrunk carries two long ports aft with two smaller ones forward. That extra freeboard gave the interior volume McCormick wanted, though the same height is about two inches more than the hull really needed.
Structurally the boat is typical of its era. The hull is solid fiberglass, hand-laid with polyester resin, and the ballast is lead. Decks are plywood cored, an Islander trademark carried through the hull-to-deck joint where an aluminum toerail runs nearly the full deck length. Bulkheads are tabbed to the hull, the floors are stout, and use of liners is limited. Islander was hard hit by osmotic blistering, and many 32 Mark IIs have shown blister problems at some point in their service lives.
Rig and Handling
The 32 Mark II is a masthead sloop with a single-spreader, keel-stepped spar and a tall-rig air draft of 47 feet. Shrouds are mounted inboard, which clears the side decks and sharpens sheeting angles, and some boats left the factory with full double backstays. The Mark II was one of the first production boats to offer optional midboom sheeting with the traveler over the companionway, though many examples still carry the mainsheet led aft of the helm. A relatively deep fin keel with a raked-aft leading edge draws 5 feet 4 inches — enough that a 4-foot shoal-draft version was developed — and a large semibalanced rudder sits well aft for steering authority.
Under sail the boat is nimble, well balanced, and fairly fast, standing up to a blow without early reefing; owners typically don’t reach for the first reef until the wind passes 20 knots. It can be a bit sluggish in light air, but most owners call it quite seaworthy, and one owner noted just enough weather helm to suit a Monitor self-steering windvane. The PHRF rating sits around 180.
Accommodations
The interior was a major reason for the 32 Mark II’s popularity. Almost every owner comments on the spaciousness, comfort, and ample storage below, finished in classic late-1970s dark teak with first-rate workmanship. Large portlights brighten the space, and although the arrangement is conventional, half bulkheads aft and a fold-away saloon table create a feeling of roominess. The forward V-berth is a good-sized double with storage below, followed by a hanging locker to port and the head opposite. The saloon has offset settees, both capable sea berths, with cane-faced lockers above that are deceptively large. An L-shaped galley to port holds a two- or three-burner stove, single sink, and decent icebox, while a quarterberth lies to starboard. The only missing piece is a chart table.
Above deck the cockpit was a major improvement over the earlier 32s: spacious and comfortable, with the pedestal placed well aft so the primaries stay within easy reach of the helm. Lockers sit aft to port and starboard, but the engine control panel on inspected boats was tucked inconveniently under the helmsman’s seat.
Known Issues
Beyond the widespread blister history, several service-life problems recur. Leaks at the hull-to-deck joint were not uncommon, a concern given the plywood-cored deck above. Some owners have reported problems at the main bulkhead below, worth noting given the bulkhead-tabbed construction. Cruisers complain of a shallow bilge that easily soaks the cabin sole on long passages. On deck, the securing latch for the external anchor locker is inadequate, and the small deck-mounted forward running lights are similarly insufficient.
Refits and Ownership
Power came from several engines during the run. The popular 30-horsepower Universal Atomic 4 gas engine was common, alongside a 7-horsepower single-cylinder Volvo, a more common 13-horsepower two-cylinder Volvo, and the preferred 25-horsepower Westerbeke L 25. The engine tucks under the companionway with adequate access, and the small Volvo diesels are a little easier to work on. Most owners with the smaller diesels say the boat is under powered. Deck hardware tends to be a bit undersized, and most boats carry a single anchor roller forward with an external anchor locker.
The Verdict
The Islander 32 Mark II is a Robert Perry design that fixed the tenderness of the 28 with a stiffer, beamier hull and paid for it with enduring sailing ability and a genuinely roomy interior. It is a solid, seaworthy coastal and modest offshore cruiser whose faults are typical of 1970s production fiberglass but manageable with survey diligence.
Pros
- Stiff, well-balanced hull that stands up to heavy air without early reefing
- Roomy, well-finished interior with ample storage and good sea berths
- Improved spacious cockpit with well-placed primary winches
- Several diesel and gas engine options, with the Westerbeke L 25 preferred
Cons
- Blister history and hull-to-deck joint leaks are common
- Shallow bilge soaks the sole on long passages
- Under powered with the smaller diesel engines
- Inadequate anchor-locker latch and forward running lights; undersized deck hardware
