Design and Construction
The PH 32 was purpose-built as an all-weather high-quality pilothouse yacht suitable for the North Sea, and that intent shows in the structure. The hull is solid fiberglass, while the deck uses balsa coring for stiffness, a construction approach shared with other Pacific Seacraft of the era. The builder offered a 10-year warranty against blisters, and the rudder is skeg-hung with the propeller protected inside an aperture. A Scheel keel was available for those needing shallower draft, dropping the full-keel 5-foot draft to 4 feet 1 inch. Deep bulwarks with hawses, welded double pulpits and lifelines, 10-inch mooring cleats, and double anchor rollers round out a deck layout clearly meant for serious offshore work.
Crealock’s hull tuning gives the boat a displacement-length ratio of 394, which places it among ultra-heavy cruisers, with only 7% of similar designs heavier. Its length-to-beam ratio of 3.34 is slimmer than 62% of comparable sailboats, and the motion comfort ratio of 34.3 is more comfortable than 92% of similar designs. A capsize screening value of 1.69 and a theoretical hull speed of 6.6 knots reinforce the picture of a stable, sheltered-water-and-offshore passagemaker rather than a lightweight racer.
Rig and Handling
The PH 32 is a masthead sloop carrying 483 square feet of sail area at the 100% foretriangle, with a 14.4 sail-area-to-displacement ratio on the reference sail and 17.4 with a 135% genoa. That power-to-weight places it faster than only 18% of similar designs in light wind, confirming its bias toward loaded cruising rather than sparkling light-air performance. What it lacks in straight-line light-air speed it recovers in manners: the boat pointed well with no bad habits, tacked easily, and tracked steadily while reaching and running for long stretches, a steadiness the skeg is credited with delivering skeg-hung rudder and tracking.
When steering from the cockpit, the large pilothouse windows give full forward visibility with none of the usual blind spots. Standard power was a 43-horsepower Volvo diesel that pushes the boat well beyond hull speed, and superb insulation keeps vibration and noise minimal under way. The cockpit itself is comfortable and deep, fitted with an Edson pedestal and raised helm seat aft, oversized drains with ample gutters, and truly huge seat lockers.
Accommodations
Below, the salon holds a compact dinette to port and an oversized quarter-berth to starboard. An inside helm with wheel, engine controls, and duplicate instruments sits under a clear overhead hatch so the helmsman can watch the sails, while the big windows permit sightlines even when seated. The pilothouse serves as defense against foul weather and, just as practically, against weather that is too good.
The galley lies forward and down to port with a deep double sink, microwave, propane two-burner stove-oven, deep refrigerator, 12-volt refrigeration, and superb storage. Opposite sits the head, with a teak seat, shower pan under a teak grate, and enough storage to satisfy live-aboards. Forward, the stateroom has a large V-berth, a seat, hanging lockers, and four opening ports plus an overhead hatch. Decor is teak-and-holly sole, teak-planked ceilings, and louvered teak lockers against white mica bulkheads. Headroom is above average for the class.
Equipment and Options
Standard gear at base included Harken roller furling, Ullman main and 130% genoa, Muir electric anchor windlass, Lewmar self-tailing winches, dual Ritchie compasses, a three-bladed feathering prop, and 12-volt refrigeration. An optional 5-kilowatt Northern Lights generator tucks neatly under the cockpit, and air-conditioning was available as a further option.
The Verdict
The PH 32 is a rare, purpose-designed pilothouse cruiser that delivers genuine all-weather shelter without the sailing compromises typical of the type. Its heavy-displacement hull and comfort ratios argue for passagemaking steadiness, while the dual helm stations and visibility make it usable in conditions that would send lesser boats below. The modest production run means examples are scarce, but the specification is coherent and complete.
Pros
- Pilothouse conceived from the start, with inside and outside helm visibility
- Skeg-hung rudder and aperture-protected prop aid tracking and grounding protection
- Ultra-heavy cruiser metrics with comfort ratio exceeding 92% of peers
- Deep, well-drained cockpit with large lockers and full standard inventory
Cons
- Sail-area-to-displacement limits light-air speed versus 82% of similar designs
- Only a few built, restricting choice on the used market
- Scheel keel needed to reduce the 5-foot full-keel draft
