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Arco 33
Designer: Wirth Munroe  ·  Builder: Crytaliners Corp./Glassco Inc. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1958
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About the Arco 33

Designed by Wirth Munroe and launched in 1958, this 33-foot masthead sloop represents an interesting piece of fiberglass sailing history from the early days of production boat building. With only 15 hulls produced by Crytaliners Corp. and later Glassco Inc., the Arco 33 stands as a relatively rare example of late 1950s design philosophy. The boat's proportions reveal a traditional cruising sailboat optimized for comfort and seaworthiness rather than racing performance. Her substantial 6.50-foot draft and 12,000-pound displacement create a stable platform that tracks well in various conditions, while the keel/centerboard configuration offers versatility for both deeper offshore waters and shallower coastal cruising grounds. The conservative sail area to displacement ratio of 16.85 indicates predictable, manageable sailing characteristics that won't overwhelm less experienced crews. With a comfort ratio of 33.75 and capsize screening value of 1.72, this design prioritizes safety and motion comfort over speed, making it well-suited for extended coastal cruising and potentially limited offshore passages. The 22-horsepower auxiliary engine provides adequate power for maneuvering in tight quarters. While not particularly fast with a theoretical hull speed of 6.46 knots, the Arco 33 offers the solid, dependable sailing experience typical of its era.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 33.00 ft / 10.06 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.25 ft / 7.09 m
Beam 9.83 ft / 3.00 m
Max Draft 6.50 ft / 1.98 m
Min Draft 3.50 ft / 1.07 m
Displacement 12,000.00 lb / 5,443 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 550.00 ft² / 51.10 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Wirth Munroe
Builder Crytaliners Corp./Glassco Inc. (USA)
First Built 1958
Number Built 15
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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
16.85
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
426.25
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
33.75
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
1.72
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.46 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 816.63 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Palmer
Engine Model IH60
Engine Type Gas
Horsepower 22
How It Compares

vs. Columbia 33 Caribbean, Luders 33 Allied, Pearson 33

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Arco 33 ★
33.0 ft
Columbia 33 Caribbean
33.1 ft
Luders 33 Allied
33.0 ft
Pearson 33
32.9 ft
LWL
Arco 33 ★
23.3 ft
Columbia 33 Caribbean
24.0 ft
Luders 33 Allied
24.0 ft
Pearson 33
25.8 ft
Beam
Arco 33 ★
9.8 ft
Columbia 33 Caribbean
9.8 ft
Luders 33 Allied
10.0 ft
Pearson 33
10.0 ft
Displacement
Arco 33 ★
12 lbs
Columbia 33 Caribbean
11 lbs
Luders 33 Allied
12 lbs
Pearson 33
10 lbs
Ballast
Arco 33 ★
Columbia 33 Caribbean
4 lbs
Luders 33 Allied
4 lbs
Pearson 33
4 lbs
Sail Area
Arco 33 ★
550 sq ft
Columbia 33 Caribbean
Luders 33 Allied
524 sq ft
Pearson 33
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Arco 33 ★
16.9
Columbia 33 Caribbean
Luders 33 Allied
15.4
Pearson 33
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Arco 33 ★
Columbia 33 Caribbean
38.2 %
Luders 33 Allied
Pearson 33
38.4 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Arco 33 ★
33.8
Columbia 33 Caribbean
Luders 33 Allied
34.5
Pearson 33
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Arco 33 ★
1.72
Columbia 33 Caribbean
Luders 33 Allied
1.71
Pearson 33
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Arco 33 ★
426
Columbia 33 Caribbean
355
Luders 33 Allied
Pearson 33
284
Hull Speed
Arco 33 ★
6.5 kts
Columbia 33 Caribbean
Luders 33 Allied
6.6 kts
Pearson 33
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