Grampian 34 Ketch

Description

The Grampian 34 Ketch, a modified adaptation of the British Triangle 32 designed by Peter Ibold and introduced by Grampian Marine in Oakville, Ontario, around 1972–1977, represents the builder's largest production model with approximately 100 hulls completed before the company's closure, emphasizing seaworthy cruising for offshore passages over speed or flash. At 33 feet 7 inches LOA, 28 feet LWL, 10 feet 6 inches beam, 12,000-pound displacement, and 5,000 pounds of external lead ballast for a robust .42 ballast/displacement ratio ensuring stiffness and self-righting ability, it features a long fin keel drawing 5 feet 2 inches (or optional shoal-draft variant at 4 feet 2 inches) and a ketch rig with 429 square feet of sail area—mainsail and headsail totaling 198 and 232 square feet, respectively—delivering a modest SA/D of 13.5 and PHRF around 168 for balanced, dry handling in coastal or blue water conditions, though its displacement/length ratio of 305 marks it as a heavy-displacement plodder with a hull speed of 7.1 knots. Constructed with thick hand-laid fiberglass for durability—often praised for surviving knockdowns and gales—the interior offers 6 feet 2 inches of headroom in a center-cockpit layout with V-berth forward, U-shaped galley, convertible settees, enclosed head, and a spacious aft cabin with quarter berth for up to five, complemented by a 40-gallon water tank and 30-gallon fuel capacity.