Built through 2014, the Southerly 32 remains a benchmark for a versatile coastal-and-offshore cruiser that doesn’t ask its owner to choose between roominess and real sailing ability.
Design and construction
The Southerly 32’s defining feature lies beneath the waterline. Two-thirds of her cast iron ballast sits in a grounding plate set flush into the bottom of the hull. The remaining third is carried in a high aspect-ratio keel that swings up to leave a flush bottom.
Even with the keel raised, she retains plenty of ballast low down for a good righting moment. The ballast in the grounding plate also allows her to sail with the keel partially raised, while the plate helps protect the hull when she dries out on hard or lumpy surfaces.
Above the waterline, generous freeboard, a slightly raised coachroof and a broad stern made her extraordinarily roomy below. At launch, her stern was about as wide as they came. Despite being the baby of the Southerly range, she felt vast beside a typical 32-footer of the day.
Rig and handling
The 32 is a fractional sloop with a self-tacking jib that Yachting Monthly found a major attraction. The chainplates are taken to the side of the coachroof, allowing an overlapping headsail to be used with tracks on the side decks. In-mast reefing isn’t commonly seen on these boats.
Twin rudders bring a little more friction and less feedback than a single rudder, but the steering remains light and responsive. A large single wheel works because the cockpit doesn’t extend across the full beam, leaving side decks that run all the way to the transom.
The Southerly 32 is well mannered enough that you’d rarely need to dump the mainsheet in a hurry. Weather helm is minimal, and she is sufficiently balanced to hold a straight line for some time with the wheel let go. When a gust arrives, she heels a little farther and simply accelerates, with scarcely any change in the feel of the helm.
Given her generous displacement, she’s unlikely to be a flyer in light airs. Once there’s a breeze, however, she is a fast, powerful performer that can swallow miles quickly and efficiently.
Accommodation
Below decks, the immediate impression is of brightness, space and quality. Large windows at the forward end of the raised coachroof bring in plenty of light, while neatly finished joinery includes substantial solid trim—a Southerly hallmark. Many examples use cherry wood.
The three-level layout makes clever use of the hull’s volume. At the foot of the companionway, you stand at the highest point because the sole is raised. From there, you step down one level going forward into the saloon or aft into the heads and aft cabin.
The galley is to port beside the companionway, where it has a good view out. Opposite, the starboard chart table provides generous instrument space and stowage for charts and books. In the saloon, the keel case is neatly incorporated into the table and is remarkably unobtrusive.
The forecabin is another level down and comfortably proportioned. Abaft the galley, the aft cabin serves as the master cabin and has direct access to the heads through a stoop-through door beneath the bridgedeck. Headroom and berth lengths are generally generous, and this is a boat on which a crew could live comfortably for several weeks at a time.
Known issues
The iron swing-keel gear needs an overhaul on a five-to-ten-year cycle, so its maintenance history matters. More seriously, various Southerly models have suffered failures of the GRP keel box. On the 32, the corners of the GRP keel can work into the GRP box in poor weather. A heavy grounding can also occasionally detach the bonding of the framework that supports the keel box in the bilges.
The decks are balsa-cored and remain sound provided moisture has been kept out. Common points of water ingress include the mast-wiring deck glands and the jib-track anchor points.
The teak cappings sit slightly proud and can be damaged by lifting strops when the boat is hauled.
Refits and ownership
On some examples, owners have fitted an electric coachroof winch on the starboard side to handle the main and jib sheets. According to one owner’s report, adding a gennaker on a furling system can almost double boatspeed off the wind.
Line-tidy hooks can replace halyard bags to keep cockpit lines under control. A cockpit tent, supported by a frame above the helm, can zip to the sprayhood to enclose the cockpit fully.
A bow-thruster is considered almost essential on a boat with twin rudders and a lifting keel.
The verdict
The Southerly 32 is a fast, roomy, comfortable and easy-to-manage cruiser. Her swing keel opens up shallow creeks and drying harbours without sacrificing offshore composure.
She demands disciplined maintenance of the keel system and a careful eye on several GRP and moisture-related details. In return, she offers the space of a boat that feels larger than its length, along with notably poised sailing manners.
Pros
- Swing keel and grounding plate provide shallow draught while retaining a good righting moment, with two-thirds of the ballast in the plate
- Exceptionally roomy, bright interior for a 32-footer
- Practical three-level accommodation
- Light, responsive and well-balanced helm with minimal weather helm
- Comfortable enough for living aboard for several weeks
- Quality joinery and thoughtful cockpit details
Cons
- Keel system requires servicing every 5–10 years
- GRP keel-box failures have been recorded across the Southerly range
- Balsa-cored decks are vulnerable to moisture ingress at mast glands and jib tracks
- Proud teak cappings can be damaged by lifting strops
- Generous displacement limits performance in light airs
