Nimble Wanderer MS Buyer's Guide
The Nimble Wanderer MS draws a specific kind of buyer: someone who wants a 32-foot cruiser that can lower its mast and be trailered behind a big SUV to a distant lake, or simply duck under a bridge on an inland waterway. Designed by Ted Brewer with Nimble’s Gerry Koch, the boat has been offered with or without a mast from the start, and that flexibility defines how you should shop the used fleet.
Layouts on the Used Market
On the used market you will find Wanderer MS boats in both mast and mastless configurations, the latter set up for pure power cruising. Below, the constant theme is a saloon with inside steering at the forward starboard bulkhead that also serves as the dining area, surrounded by large windows for a trawler-like sense of openness. The L-shaped galley sits forward and down to port with an overhead hatch, while opposite is an enclosed head with a separate shower. A bow stateroom with a large berth and private head access completes the interior, whether or not a rig is overhead.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Standard equipment worth verifying includes the 50-horsepower diesel, a two-burner stove, and 12-volt DC refrigeration, the last being a meaningful item for off-grid stays. Because the rig is tabernacle-stepped, a buyer should check for a functioning lowering system and any added winches or deck gear that eases bridge clearance. The long, straight encapsulated-iron keel and 17-foot rub rail with six stainless cleats are part of the rugged standard package, so inspect for honest wear rather than missing factory kit.
What to Inspect
The deck and hull are sealed and then bolted with stainless fasteners, so examine that seam for any separation or corrosion at the fasteners anchor. The foam-cored, vacuum-bagged hull should be checked for core issues, and the encapsulated cast-iron keel for signs of moisture breach in the encapsulation. With the engine housed in the bilge space between the main cabin deck and the hull, access for service is constrained by surrounding structure, so confirm routine maintenance is feasible anchor.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
For a buyer, the practical checklist is: confirm mast or no-mast configuration matches your intended use; verify the tabernacle rig lowers cleanly; test the inside steering and inspect the deck-to-hull bolt line; confirm the separate shower and forward stateroom access are intact; and check the diesel, refrigeration, and galley stove are operational. The Wanderer MS rewards the shopper who values sheltered-water autonomy over open-ocean pace.
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
3 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Dory 300 MS | 29.85' | $ 34,900 | 14 | 8 |
| Degerö Yachts 28 MS | 27.72' | $ 38,221 | 7 | 4 |
| Fjord 33 MS | 32.91' | $ 34,464 | 7 | 2 |