Overview
The Cavalier 32, affectionately known as the “Cav32”, is perhaps the best production cruiser to be produced in New Zealand, and certainly one of the most successful. Right from the get go, when Sea Spray magazine in July 1971 took the first production boat for a sail they were impressed by both the spacious interior, berthing up to eight, and its on-the-water performance; noting it was fast, responsive, incredibly close-winded and with good acceleration.
The boat went on to compete very successfully as an ocean racer with a half ton rating, eventually finding its place among the cruising community as a comfortable and reliable blue water vessel. Many have cruised the South Pacific extensively, while others have circumnavigated.
History
Designed by Bob Salthouse in 1969, the prototype Cavalier 32 made its debut at the 1970 Auckland Boat Show. The concept was for a hull with high racing potential; a boat that would be satisfying to race inshore as well as offshore, yet have family-size cruising accommodation. It immediately proved popular with 14 boats sold by the time the first boat was launched in Jul 1971.
The Cavalier 32 became the first boat offered by a relatively new partnership between John Salthouse and respected boat builder Peter K. Smith. The venture was known as Cavalier Yachts, which incidentally, at its peak in the 1970s became the largest production boatbuilder in Oceania.
Shortly after its introduction the boat’s rig was revised with a shorter mast and boom to rate under the half ton racing rule. As a half tonner, the Cav32s were formidable competition that the boat stacked up many victories in the mid-70s.
The boat went on to find its niche as a favorite among the cruising community. In total 99 boats were built in New Zealand before the infamous 20% “Muldoon boat tax” decimated the NZ boatbuilding industry. The molds were exported to Australia and Japan where a similar number were built.
The Australian boats sported a redesigned rig that was 1.5m taller as well as some altered layouts.
Construction
The boat was one of the early pioneers of cored fiberglass construction. The hull is built incredibly strong with hand-laid GRP with end grain balsa coring.
The layup from the exterior moving inwards starts with the gel coat which is reinforced by 1oz matt, then followed by 10oz cloth and two layers of 2oz matt. The balsa coring is 19mm thick in the bilge and 13mm thick above the waterline. Then comes 2oz matt and 24oz woven rove which forms a strong impact resistant layer.
All through deck fittings are backed by wood and glassed over. The hull-deck join is epoxy glued, then pop riveted with Monel rivets every 6 inches and stainless steel bolts every 12 inches. The join is glassed over forming a gusset equal to the hull thickness.
Under Sail
By modern lightweight racer/cruiser standards the Cavalier 32 is considered a substantial all rounder with excellence in heavy conditions and downwind performance. Helped by it’s 50% ballast ratio, expect to hold up full canvas well after other boats have to reef.
When Sea Spray magazine tested the boat during its debut, they described the boat being particularly stiff, “when a gust hits, the boat accelerates forward and does not lay on her ear and fight to round into the wind”. They noted the boat being fast off the wind without the tendency to broach and summed it up by saying, “At all angles of sailing the boat is superb. When ghosting she carries her way and makes miles; in the fresh she is truly exhilarating”
The boat is well balanced and easy to sail and single-hand. Expect finger light steering at all times.
Buyers Notes
The Cavalier 32 has aged well, a testament to its strong construction. Areas of interested to prospective buyers are noted below:
The original boats built by Peter Smith of Cavalier Yachts had particular attention paid to preventing osmosis. It’s been noted that boats made later under licence may have had trouble.
To maintain the Cav32’s exceptional close-windedness, rig tensions need to be high. Some owners have overdone these leading to fatigue. Check wire terminals, rigging screws and chainplates.
Check mast fittings and the mast itself.
Check joins between the hull and bulkheads for movement, especially main bulkhead.
Check the chainplate knees. This is generally a very well engineered area, but also an area of very high stress.
Check the rudder stock, a few boats have had wear in the rudder shaft keyway, look for loose play in the tiller.
Leaching of zinc content of some bronze alloys in salt water is known to have shown up in some rudder stocks. Look for pinkish powder or paste on the surface.
Yanmar YSE 12hp single cylinder diesels were commonly fitted. Though smaller than what most fit today, it has proven to have adequate power when matched with an appropriately sized prop (not the folder race prop).
There is an active market for used Cavalier 32s in Australia and New Zealand. Extensively refitted examples also appear, so condition and equipment can vary substantially.
Links, References and Further Reading
» TradeABoat, Oct 2004 (p52-53), second-hand keelers review, “Cavalier 32, Tough & Seaworthy” by Andrew Fagan.» Boating World, Jan 1993 (p132-133), “Buying Second Hand, Cavalier 32” by John Wellsford.» Sea Spray, Jul 1971 (p27-31), Boat Test, “The Dashing Cavalier” by Staff.» Wikipedia, Cavalier Yachts