Boat Review Sydney 32 - The Yacht for all Occasions

by Di Pearson on 26 Aug 2002 The Sydney 32 was recently launched at the Sydney International Boat Show and interest was already so strong it was difficult to get onboard for a proper look (already six have been sold). I got my chance, however, for a sail on Pittwater two days later.

Designed and built by Sydney Yachts, this one-design performance racer/cruiser is built to survey and is the Elle McPherson of the water. She's sleek, well built, beautiful to look at, all class, and boy can she move. Once you've seen her, you'll want no other.

Hull and deck laminates are of cored construction using vinylester and polyester resin. The one-piece GRP laminated structural grid is designed to incorporate the keel attachment, mast step, engine mount and rudder bearing for strength and durability.

The exterior of hull and deck are finished in white gelcoat, while the deck, coachroof and cockpit have a non-slip surface. Other features include a low profile polycarbonate sliding hatch, and stainless steel forestay and backstay fittings. Of note are the moulded carbon custom chainplates, never seen before on a product yacht of this size. Benefits include far superior strength, and the assurance of no deck penetrations unlike normal chainplates, which with time, invariably leak.

Rigging wise, the yacht boasts a Custom Whalespar aluminium fractional double swept back spreader rig, including: main halyard; 2 hounds height spin take offs with spectacles and 1 centre halyard sheave; Airfoils section adjustable spreaders fixed to S/S root plates; Insulated anodised aluminium gooseneck and vang take off; Custom s/s metal work for spreader roots and chafe guards; Custom aluminium boom with 2 reef lines and cascade outhaul system; Telescopic adjustable boom vang; Twin groove headfoil; Custom running rigging of Vectran, Spectra and braided polyester; Spinnaker pole track on mast; Butt lift system on mast; Masthead windex with light and Spun tapered spinnaker pole.

Everything has been thought of, nothing left to chance. As Sydney Yachts' Martin Thompson explained, 'we took everything we learned from the Sydney 38 and put it into the 32. It will be a good feeder into the 38 and only requires five or six people to race her.'

What catches the eye immediately is the quality of the boat, from the mast to deck fittings, Yanmar diesel engine, to the interior, yet the boat is good value at $225,000 and like her big sister, the Sydney 38, will hold good re-sale value.

Below deck features include the teak fit-out, two double sleeping accommodation at the stern end, easy engine access under the companionway steps, state-of-the-art navigatorium, neat modern galley with stove, icebox, and dinette. Walking below, particularly whilst sailing, you notice the soft curvature of the companionway stairs, so that even at large angles of heel the stairway is easily used.

Go forward past the bulkhead and you find toilet, shower and basin, and a bilge pump that can be moved around the boat. The space in the forepeak has been left for sail stowage. All very compact, well ventilated, light, and mercy of all mercies - headroom for the tall sailor - 6'2'.
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On deck, the quality continues - hydraulic backstay, mast, rigging, deck fittings, colour coded halyards of Vectran - no expense has been spared. As Martin Thompson points out, 'if you put together a package that includes everything, and it is of the highest standard and quality, then there is no need for a buyer to change or fix anything, or spend more money, and that is what we have achieved with this boat, she's ready to go racing or cruising.'

The standard high quality equipment is also valuable in protecting the One Design integrity of the design and class. With the best equipment supplied as standard, and strict rules regarding replacement, the Sydney 32 ensures that there are no after delivery costs to be in the winners circle.

Once on the water (in a very pleasant 5-8 knot easterly), you realise how much potential the Sydney 32 has.

As a petite female with the strength of a mosquito, I had no trouble pulling halyards up by hand, the non-overlapping headsail was easy to trim (all the winches are two-speed), as was the spinnaker, the hydraulic backstay with no messy tangle of spaghetti was easy to manipulate, no runners to worry about, a large recessed racing wheel - so light on the steering and the yacht exceptionally responsive.

Not only that, the yacht's speed is excellent. Sailing off the breeze, she heeled and took off in the gusts, as she did going to windward. Spinnakers went up and down with ease (three helmsmen were my crew; they made it look easy, and it was). The mainsheet system is unique, boasting a twin winch system, making its operation far easier for the helm and for smaller people.

At no stage during the sail did I have to fight the wheel, the boat is so well balanced and trimmed with a good high performance steel keel and lead bulb. From the wheel, the steerer can also access the mainsheet - neat. Trimming the headsail I also noted that the halyards, topping lift, etc. were only an arm's length away. Tacking the boat was quick and painless - it could spin on sixpence, no correcting needed.

Sailing on this boat, I realised its many uses and functions and knew you couldn't go wrong with it. The primary intention of the boat is one-design racing, which is becoming increasingly popular. Having said that, the boat is also designed and built for sailing under the IMS and IRC rules, in which the performance will be comparable to the 38 (four recently took the top places under IRC in the Sydney-Gold Coast Race), in short and long races. Equally, the boat is comfortable for cruising and social weekend and twilight sailing.

Then she would be excellent for corporate days, learning to sail, fun days, match racing and many will be available for charter. East Sail has committed to take ten boats for their charter fleets, which is indicative of the yacht's appeal.

The package is a complete one by design. Racing the yacht in its one-design configuration, crews will have no excuses, as the yachts are identical down to the sheets and fittings. Owners will only have to decide on a choice of sailmakers and wheel colour.
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Add to this the backup and support from Sydney Yachts, then really, where can you go wrong?

Asked what prompted the design of the Sydney 32, David Kellett, Director of Sydney Yachts said, 'Following extensive market research, Sydney Yachts determined that a yacht in the vicinity of 31'-32' was required. We felt that it needed to be a small version of a yacht, not an overgrown skiff style of vessel.

Given the success of the East Coast 31 over 30 years ago, and the Young 88 designed nearly 20 years ago, we felt that a modern version of this type of yacht was the way to go.

People want a certain degree of comfort for cruising but they also want styling and performance. The Sydney 32 has answered the call.'

What particularly appeals to me, as an average sailor, is the non-threatening feel of the yacht. Lack of big load indicated nothing could rip my fingers or arms off in the blink of an eyelid, the size of the cockpit gives plenty of room to manoeuvre without annoying your fellow crew members, a high boom means no nasty accidents, and there is ample room behind the wheel for novices to be out of the way, yet still enjoy themselves.

Mum, Dad and four kids could take the Sydney 32 out and race successfully. A group of women or teenagers could do the same, and yet this boat is built for racing and speed. Along with the Sydney 38, It opens up a new world for a variety of people to race at top level - no longer do you have to be big and powerful, or be a 'name.'

I asked some would-be buyers would they take this yacht to Hobart, and got a resounding 'yes'.

Cruising wise, the Sydney 32 has much going for it. She is slightly more cruisy than t