Author Topic: Aloha 32'  (Read 8057 times)

nicholson

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Aloha 32'
« on: December 27, 2006, 04:30:18 PM »
I am interested in purchasing an Aloha 32', which I have seen in my local area, and I like the overall appearance of the boat, but do not know much about them, neither their construction, and typical problems associated with it, or their sailing characteristics, especially itheir stability in a good blow. If anyone who has experience of these matters, I would very much appreciate their opinions.
DAN

musrum

  • Guest
Re: Aloha 32'
« Reply #1 on: December 28, 2006, 08:00:49 AM »
I've had my A32 for only one season now, so keeping that in mind:

Check out the Project pages on this site.  There is discussion of two
potential problems, one with the wheel at the top of the rudder post
corroding, and the other with keel bolts.  The former is easier to
check.  You can get a good look at the wheel from the starboard cockpit
seat locker (at least on a V-berth model).  You'll have to crawl it to do it
though.

The keel bolts are tricker.  On most (if not all) A32's, not all the keel
bolts are visible.  If you have access to a long borescope, you can
check them all out.

As to the sailing characteristics - there are members of this forum that
have cruised extensively with their A32s.  What I can tell you is all
good.  My experience is limited as to distance and is all coastal.  I have
sailed the A32 in winds up to 35 knots, but at those speeds, it has all
been on Long Island Sound.   Thing about LIS, (if you are not familiar)
is that under those conditions, you get only chop, but it is 4-6 foot chop.
Nasty stuff in a small way.  Under a small jib and either one or two reefs
in the main, the A32 is a very comfortable and fairly dry boat.  It feels
like a much heavier boat in that snotty stuff.

The A32 sails like a dream in winds from 15 to 25 knots.  It's significantly
trickier to sail to PHRF in winds from 8 to 15.  What is really surprising
is how well it does in winds below 6.  You can consistently do better than
50% of AWS.   If you compare SA/Disp, the A32 is pretty high.

I must note that the above reflects my own experience, I am _not_ any
sort of a racer.  Am am very much in love with my A32.  To date I have
only one issue with my boat - there is not enough small stuff storage in
the galley area.   But that's an inconvenience I can live with, as there is
plenty of storage overall.

LHSmith

  • Guest
Re: Aloha 32'
« Reply #2 on: December 28, 2006, 11:50:45 AM »
I suggest that you look at the previous line of discussion with the title "Why Aloha instead of...."

http://www.alohaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=146.0

alohaoa

  • Member
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  • Posts: 215
Re: Aloha 32'
« Reply #3 on: December 28, 2006, 08:12:54 PM »

Melusina

  • Guest
Re: Aloha 32'
« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2007, 08:28:20 PM »
Just went to the Toronto Boat Show--made me appreciate my Aloha 32 more than ever!! -- get a good survey then  expect to spend a few $$ here and there. My only advice is just know what you want in a boat and once found appreciate it!!

Tom Schneiter

  • Guest
Re: Aloha 32'
« Reply #5 on: January 26, 2007, 10:49:15 AM »
Every year, my wife and I (or my brother and I, but now he just plays golf!) attend the Newport International Boat Show.  We have owned our A32 since 1999, so we're in our 8th year of ownership.  That said, we kept her out of the water this past season to funnel all our cash into our daughter's tuition for her senior year in college; she bailed out and will return next fall, so the heck with her tuition.  This summer we sail!

Anyway, back to Newport.  We do look at every boat that interests us in any way.  We have yet to find one that feels right, like our A32.  OK, the one time a stepped on a boat that really felt good, like I could close my eyes and find everything, was, I think a Bruckmann 50.  Wow, I thought, if I had a ton of money, I could see moving into this.  Well, of course, it was also a Mark Ellis design, like the A32!  No matter what we see, we're glad we own our Aloha 32!

Tom

alohaoa

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Re: Aloha 32'
« Reply #6 on: January 27, 2007, 11:22:09 AM »
The item A32 Construction contains testimony to the construction of the A32 which, like all Alohas, seems very robust and to have stood the test of time.

musrum

  • Guest
Re: Aloha 32'
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2007, 08:19:31 AM »
Anyway, back to Newport.  We do look at every boat that interests us in any way.  We have yet to find one that feels right, like our A32.  OK, the one time a stepped on a boat that really felt good, like I could close my eyes and find everything, was, I think a Bruckmann 50.

Tom

I had the same reaction when I stepped aboard the Gozzard 37.  But at a realistic
estimate of 450 to 500 thousand, well, it won't be built for me, if I ever own one.

chester

  • Guest
Re: Aloha 32'
« Reply #8 on: February 01, 2007, 11:27:48 AM »
I have had my Aloha 32 since we purchased new in 1985. All I can say is that as long as I continue sailing, I will likely never be interested in any other boat. It has everything I need. One problem I do have is with the teak coaming caps and eyebrows. It seems that the screws are made of some less than great material and are beginning to rust out. That, I would say, is a pretty minor complaint after 22 years of cruising.