BoatsCape Dory 33

Cape Dory 33

Masthead Sloop · Long Keel · 1980–1985

A 1980s production masthead sloop with a 41% ballast ratio, occasionally factory-fitted with a Volvo diesel

Designed by Carl Alberg.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Long Keel

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her heavy displacement on a moderate beam gives 34 — a sea-kindly motion in a seaway.

Comfort ratio 34
CoastalBluewater

1.73 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.

Capsize screening 1.73
LightHeavy

404 — very heavy for her waterline, a serious load-carrying cruiser.

Displacement / length 404
EasygoingPowered-up

15.4 — moderate power for her weight; steady, all-round performance.

Sail area / displacement 15.4
TenderStiff

41% of her weight is ballast — moderately stiff, a middle-of-the-road stability.

Ballast 41%

Built heavy and sea-kindly — a boat made to cross oceans and forgive a rough night.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
41.4%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
15.4
Displacement / length
403.7
Comfort ratio
34.2
Capsize screening
1.73
Hull speed
6.6 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
897
Hull
Hull type
Long Keel
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
1980–1985
Units built
124
Designer
Carl Alberg
Builder
Cape Dory Yachts

Boats like this, on the water

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Rustler 319.58 mSame hull family0.5 m shorterA heavy-displacement masthead sloop with a long keel, evolved from the North Sea 24 and sharing lineage with the Twister 31
Beneteau Evasion 329.70 mSame hull family0.4 m shorterA long-keeled masthead ketch that launched the Evasion line and marked a new era for Beneteau
Alden 32 Motor Sailer9.60 mSame hull family0.5 m shorterOriginally known as the Winsome Class, this masthead sloop features a long keel and was available in both sloop and ketch
Pacific Seacraft Orion 279.42 mSame hull family0.7 m shorterA heavy-displacement cutter designed by Henry Mohrschladt for offshore stability and traditional long-keel handling
Vancouver 34 Pilot10.44 mSame hull family0.4 m longerA Robert B. Harris-designed cutter featuring a deck saloon for protected cruising on a stable, long-keeled hull
Cape George 319.45 mSame hull family0.6 m shorterA William Atkin-designed cutter with a heavy ballast ratio and long keel, built for stability and offshore comfort

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

Keep looking

Nothing filmed of this one yet

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