DEFENDER 32
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 31.5 ft |
| LWL | 22.96 ft |
| Beam | 9.84 ft |
| Draft | 5.25 ft |
| Displacement | 7,055 lb |
| Ballast | 3,197.3 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.4 kn |
About the DEFENDER 32
A stretched version of the Defender 27. The 27 was enlarged and the deck structure was also adapted by the Dekker Bros. The line drawing of Jaques Gaubert was enlarged by Gerrit Stam. A shallow draft was also available: 1.45m / 4.75 ft. Information about this model came from an owner's group site. Specs have not been verified.
The Defender 32 is a classic 31.5 ft masthead sloop designed by Jacques Gaubert and André Mauric, built by F Dekker & Son in the Netherlands in 1972. With a displacement of 7055.0 lb and a beam of 9.84 ft, this vessel represents a specific era of European boatbuilding, though the exact total hulls built remains unverified in available data.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and weekend sailors who prioritize a comfortable, stable ride over high-performance racing, given its moderate Comfort ratio of 20.32 and manageable dimensions.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low Capsize ratio of 2.06 and a D/L ratio of 260.22, the Defender 32 exhibits a heavy, stable hull form that suggests reasonable offshore capability for protected waters, though its single-year production run limits the breadth of long-term bluewater performance data.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include other early 1970s European fin-keel sloops of similar length, such as the Beneteau First 32 or O'Day 32, which share similar displacement ranges and cruising-oriented hull forms.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the DEFENDER 32 yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 31.5ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the DEFENDER 32yet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind — but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.
Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.
Own a DEFENDER 32? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist — and they're the reason the boats above it have one.
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your DEFENDER 32?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Already know your engine? Search all engines → to find its exact parts.
Used sails that fit the DEFENDER 32
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…