ARIES 32

About the ARIES 32

ARIES 32 is said to be the original name of a Thomas Gillmer design, first built of wood and then fiberglass. Subsequent versions called ROUGHWATER 32/33, WEATHERLY 32, were built in TAIWAN. SOUTHERN CROSS 31, also by Gillmer, appears to be similar.

The Aries 32 is a rare, heavy-displacement cruiser designed by Thomas Gillmer and built by C. C. Chen Boatyard Ltd. in TAIWAN, with only 20 hulls constructed in 1972. Its substantial displacement of 16000.0 lb and high comfort ratio of 43.85 reflect a design prioritizing stability and seakeeping over speed.

Best for:

This boat suits experienced coastal cruisers and those seeking a robust, traditional sailing experience, particularly owners willing to maintain older mechanical systems and address specific structural quirks. It is less ideal for performance-focused sailors due to its heavy displacement and moderate sail area-to-displacement ratio of 11.86.

Bluewater capability:

With a capsize ratio of 1.52 and significant ballast of 4500.8 lb, the Aries 32 possesses strong inherent stability for offshore passages, though its single-year production run and specific keel construction issues require careful verification before bluewater use.

Comparables:

Comparable boats include other heavy-displacement cruisers from the early 1970s such as the Cal 32 or O'Day 32, which share similar beam dimensions around 9.58 ft and focus on interior volume and stability. The Aries 32's unique Taiwanese construction and specific keel design distinguish it from these more common American-built contemporaries.