Her canoe stern, modest sheer, and low pilothouse give her the restrained appearance shared across the LM range. Beneath that profile, however, are thoughtful construction details, unexpectedly capable sailing performance, and some practical compromises.
Design and Construction
The LM 32 has a hand-laid fiberglass hull and a balsa-cored deck. According to the builder, the larger LM models used an iron-and-lead alloy cast into fiberglass for ballast and enclosed integrally within the hull, though the precise composition was never fully documented.
Buyers could choose a long-ish fin keel drawing just under five feet or twin bilge keels that reduce draft to four feet one inch. Fin-keel boats have a spade rudder behind a small partial skeg.
Practical Sailor’s survey of a 28-year-old example found no delamination or soft spots in either the deck or the pilothouse top—a notable result for a boat of that age. The mahogany joinery is also well executed, reflecting the builder’s roots in furniture making. Cabinets and drawers show care even in places normally hidden from view.
Rig, Sailing Performance, and Handling
The LM 32 carries a conventional, single-spreader masthead sloop rig. A standard 150-percent furling genoa was fitted, while smaller sails and a spinnaker were optional. Because there is no mainsheet traveler, a rigid boom vang was standard. The mainsheet leads to a single cam cleat at the rear of the pilothouse.
Halyards and reefing lines run through a channel along the side of the pilothouse to cam cleats ahead of stainless Andersen winches. The genoa winches on the tested boat were adequate but not oversized, and no winches were self-tailing from the factory.
Testers found the LM 32 nimble and relatively quick. In 8 to 10 knots of wind, under full main and genoa, she sailed nearly to hull speed. She came about readily and tacked through 90 degrees. Although narrow, she is stable and doesn’t need a reef until about 15 knots.
Under power, the propeller sits well forward of the rudder and produces little sideways thrust. As a result, reversing and maneuvering in tight quarters are sluggish and challenging. Steering from inside the pilothouse is also awkward because all the sail controls are aft in the cockpit. An attachable tiller fits at the rudderhead, but visibility from the cockpit seats is poor.
Pilothouse and Accommodations
The pilothouse helm is to starboard, with a raised captain’s seat and a folding companion seat. A sliding hatch overhead allows the helmsman to stand for a better view under sail. Ahead of the wheel is a chart table that works well for displaying a chart but poorly as a working surface.
To port, the compact galley—possibly the smallest on any 32-foot production boat—has a two-burner propane stove, a small sink, and a front-loading refrigerator beneath.
Below, the saloon has a settee to port and a dinette to starboard that converts to a double berth. Both settees are 6 feet long, with lockers beneath and outboard. The head lies forward to starboard and includes a sliding sink and teak shower grating. The V-berth fills to form a roomy double, though it is only six feet long.
The LM 32’s narrow beam and long cockpit leave the interior feeling closer in volume to that of a modern 28-footer. There are no quarter-berths; fundamentally, this is a couple’s boat.
Machinery and Equipment
The Volvo saildrive installation is compact, waterproof, and soundproofed. Testers noted quiet operation and good access. A folding propeller was optional and would improve performance compared with the standard fixed unit.
Four 90-amp batteries are mounted ahead of the engine beneath the pilothouse sole, and shorepower was included. Standard equipment also included a bimini, basic instruments without a wind meter, and a small bowsprit with an anchor locker large enough for ample rode.
Some hulls were sold for home completion, so finish quality can vary from boat to boat.
Known Issues
The cockpit drains are adequately sized, but there is no bridgedeck, so boarding seas from astern could overwhelm them. The steering gear near the rudder post is sealed off and accessible only through two six-inch ports, making service difficult. Owners also report that reconnecting the wheel after using the tiller disconnect requires careful alignment, and some units have developed excessive play.
Buyers considering a boat used in salt water should scrutinize rigging and chainplates for corrosion. The aluminum saildrive also requires careful saltwater maintenance.
The 55-gallon fuel tank may accumulate old fuel and algae over time. The 15-gallon holding tank leaves no practical room for enlargement. Original wiring was tidy, but boats around 25 years old usually show cobbled additions. Boarding over the canoe stern is another awkward point because the aft deck is limited and the boarding ladder is difficult to use.
The Verdict
The LM 32 is a genuinely surprising sailor in the guise of a pilothouse cruiser. Her furniture-grade interior work complements a seakindly, easy-handed character that belies her appearance. She is better suited to coastal cruising than offshore passage-making, and buyers must accept compromises that include a tight aft cockpit, a very small galley, and restricted access to the steering gear.
Pros
- Sails much better than her appearance suggests; nimble and quick to reach hull speed in moderate air
- Excellent mahogany joinery and carefully made storage, including hidden areas
- Soundproofed, accessible Volvo saildrive installation
- Stable, narrow hull with good light-air performance
Cons
- No bridgedeck, and limited steering-gear access complicates safety and servicing
- Possibly the smallest galley in her class, with cramped interior volume for a 32-footer
- Sluggish maneuvering in reverse and poor visibility from the pilothouse helm
- Holding tank cannot practically be enlarged; fuel tank may develop algae problems over time
