Sailing Performance & Handling
The Triangle 32 is characterized by its ketch rig and a versatile keel-centerboard configuration. With a displacement of approximately 12,000 pounds and a ballast-to-displacement ratio hovering near 37%, it is a stout, heavy-displacement cruiser. On the water, this translates to a motion that is "kindly" and predictable, favoring stability over raw speed. The ketch rig is the boat’s primary performance asset, allowing for a wide variety of sail combinations. In heavy weather, the "jib and jigger" configuration (sailing under the headsail and mizzen alone) keeps the center of effort low and the boat well-balanced, a feature frequently praised by owners in the Grampian Owners Marina technical archives.
The centerboard is a critical component of its handling profile. With the board up, the boat draws only 3' 6", making it an exceptional choice for the Chesapeake Bay, the Bahamas, or the Great Lakes. However, with the board down, the draft increases to roughly 7', providing the lateral resistance needed for upwind work. While its SA/Disp (Sail Area to Displacement) ratio suggests it is not a light-air flyer, it tracks exceptionally well once the wind reaches 12–15 knots. Owners often report that the boat feels "stiff" and holds its canvas longer than lighter contemporary designs.
Interior Comfort & Variations
The interior of the Triangle 32 is its most debated and celebrated feature. By utilizing a mid-cockpit design, Charles Angel was able to incorporate a separate aft cabin. In the original configurations, this cabin is accessed via the cockpit, providing a level of privacy for two couples or a family that was revolutionary for a 32-foot boat in 1963. The main cabin features a traditional galley and dinette arrangement, with many units finished in the warm mahoganies and teaks typical of early Grampian builds.
Headroom is generous for a boat of this vintage, often exceeding 6 feet in the main saloon. Because the boat was built during the transition from wood to fiberglass, early models may feature more wood trim and structural bulkheads than later versions. There were few "factory" variations of the hull itself, as the ketch-rigged aft-cabin layout was the model’s defining identity. However, the use of the hull for the "US 32" in some markets led to minor differences in interior joinery and deck hardware placement.
Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist
When inspecting a Triangle 32, the age of the vessel and its specific design features require a targeted survey.
- Centerboard Trunk and Pennant: The most common technical failure point is the centerboard mechanism. The pennant (the cable used to raise/lower the board) is prone to corrosion, and the trunk itself can develop leaks if the fiberglass has been stressed or if the board has been allowed to "clunk" in a seaway.
- Deck Delamination: Like many Grampian-built boats of the 60s and 70s, the decks are balsa-cored. Buyers should use a moisture meter around the chainplates, stanchion bases, and the cockpit coamings, as water intrusion in these areas is common after six decades.
- Mizzen Mast Compression: The mizzen mast is stepped on the cockpit sole or a small bridge deck. Inspect the support structure beneath the step for signs of compression or rot, which can occur if water has seeped into the core material of the cockpit.
- Ketch Rig Complexity: A ketch has double the standing rigging of a sloop. A buyer’s checklist must include a professional mast-up inspection of both the main and mizzen shrouds and tangs, as replacements for two masts can be significantly more expensive than for a standard sloop.
Community & Resources
The primary hub for technical data and historical records for this model is the Grampian Owners Marina, a dedicated association that maintains original brochures and owner-contributed manuals for the Triangle series and other McGruer and Angel designs. While the Triangle 32 is a rarer sight than the ubiquitous Grampian 26, it maintains a cult following within this community, particularly among sailors in Ontario and the US East Coast.
The Verdict
The Triangle 32 is a "big" small boat that offers the privacy and sea-kindliness of a much larger vessel. While its split-cabin layout and ketch rig add complexity and maintenance requirements, they provide a cruising lifestyle that modern 32-footers rarely match.
Pros:
- Revolutionary aft-cabin layout for maximum privacy.
- Shallow draft with centerboard flexibility.
- Heavy-displacement stability makes for a comfortable motion in a sea.
- Strong community support through the Grampian owners network.
Cons:
- Accessing the aft cabin usually requires crossing an open cockpit (exposed in rain).
- Sluggish performance in light winds (under 10 knots).
- Potential for high maintenance costs due to dual masts and centerboard mechanics.
