Wauquiez Chance 32 Sailboats for Sale

The Wauquiez Chance 32 is a fascinating relic of the International Offshore Rule (IOR) era, representing a highly specific intersection of American racing geometry and traditional French yacht construction. Designed by the brilliant, iconoclastic American naval architect Britton Chance Jr.—known for his work on America’s Cup defenders like Intrepid—and built by the prestigious Henri Wauquiez shipyard in Northern France, the Chance 32 was conceived as a highperformance 3/4ton racercruiser. Produced in very limited numbers between 1973 and 1976, the yacht stands out for its extreme design characteristics and a dramatic production history. While its sistership, the Paceship Chance 32/28, was manufactured in larger numbers in Canada, the Wauquiezbuilt version carries the distinct hallmark of European luxury and meticulous structural engineering. Ultimately, its run was cut short by a legendary heavyweather experience that prompted Henri Wauquiez himself to halt production, securing the vessel's place as a rare, highly debated classic among cruising traditionalists.