HARDY 32 COMMANDER
BU ILT 2000 PR ICE £89 ,950
Hardy has been around since the 1970s, originally building small outboard engine-powered pilothouse boats like the Navigator 18 and Pilot 20. In the 1990s the range was extended upward with the introduction of the 27 and 36 Commodore. The 32 Commander arrived in 2000 to bridge the divide, and was launched at the London Boat Show.
INTERIOR Unlike many builders, Hardy didn’t focus on massive cabins, in fact there is just one, with a vee berth up in the bow. As a result there is masses of living space, enough for a decent galley with a proper oven as well as twin hob and grill and a dinette opposite on the lower deck, and then a decent saloon area on the main deck. Both social areas convert to sleeping, allowing up to 6 to stay overnight. An electric sliding roof over the helm is a popular option definitely worth looking out for.
EXTERIOR Although it’s certainly not huge, the cockpit is deep and safe, as indeed are the wide side decks with their high bulwarks and generously tall rails.
PERFORMANCE
Hardy fitted a variety of engines to this model, all twin shaft drive installations. Early boats got the Mercruiser D4.2L 220hp motors, a couple were fitted with Volvo Penta TAMD 41 200hp, and one with a pair of Volvo Penta D3-200. Yanmar was another popular alternative at 240hp or 250hp. Top speeds ranged between 20-25 knots.
SEAKEEPING
Designed by Andrew Wolstenholme, the hull is an interesting cross between semi displacement and planing. It features the deep forefoot and long keel of the former, but flattens out to a hard chine shallow vee with tunnelled props aft.
As a result, the boat has excellent low-speed directional stability and is capable of achieving a soft ride in head seas, although it can push on past 20 knots when going flat out.