The Seaward 32RK was designed and for years built by Floridian Nick Hake. The design is now part of the Island Packet company which builds the Island Packet line of cruising boats as well as the Blue Jacket 40. The same craftsmen who build the IPYs and BJYs built the Seawards, too, so you know that traditional American yacht style and quality go into every boat.
The 32RK has one signature design feature that makes it uniquely suitable for cruising in areas with a lot of shallow water and for sailors who want to trailer their boats. The RK in its name stands for “retracting keel” which enables you to lower the keel to whatever depth you want, within reason, and to raise it again when the water starts to get thin. A simple electric winch raises and lowers the keel.
In its down position at a depth of six-foot, six-inches, the keel offers great stability as well as plenty of lift when sailing upwind. In the half raised position, you will be able to enhance sailing performance downwind by reducing wetted surface. And in the up position the boat will remain stable but will be able to navigate in less than two feet of water. The rudder can be raised, too, to give it shoal draft.
The 32RK has saucy lines with a traditional curvy sheer line, a plumb bow with a short bowsprit and a slightly forward raked transom. There is a swim platform aft that doubles as the mounting position for the outboard rudder.
The cockpit is compact but spacious enough for six adults. With a single wheel, the helmsman still has access to the sheet winches on both sides and will have good visibility of the sails. With a small folding table you will be able to have meals and sundowners in the cockpit.
All lines run aft from the mast through line stoppers to winches on the cabin top. The main sheet traveler is on the coach roof forward of the companionway and dodger so it is out of the way of those in the cockpit. The mainsheet runs to a winch on the cabin top.
Forward, the 32RK has a full cruising anchoring system with a chain locker, an electric windlass and an anchor roller on the bow sprit that keeps the anchor away from the bow when it is raised and lowered. This set up will make you feel very secure, even on blustery nights at anchor.
Down below, the 32RK packs a lot of accommodations into a small package. There is a V-berth in the forward cabin with the small head compartment just aft of it to port. There is a second double berth tucked in under the cockpit aft on the port side. The saloon has a U-shaped dinette with a drop-leaf table that can easily seat four for a meal. Across from it is a combination settee and easy chairs with a small table between them. With the removable cushion in place, the space becomes a bench large enough for a child to sleep on.
The galley has a two-burner gimballed stove with space for a microwave oven beneath it. The side loading fridge is just aft and the large double sinks are forward and nearly on the boat’s centerline.
If you are looking for a versatile and interesting cruising boat that can be trailered, beached and sailed just about anywhere, the Seaward 32RK checks off a lot of boxes. For a couple or a young family, the 32RK can make a great cruising home. For more information click here.