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Cal 33
Designer: C. William Lapworth  ·  Builder: Bangor Punta  ·  First built: 1971
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About the Cal 33

California Yachts introduced the Cal 33 as part of their successful line of fiberglass production sailboats that helped define recreational sailing in the 1970s. This mid-sized cruiser-racer represents the era's philosophy of combining comfortable accommodations with respectable sailing performance. Built with Cal's characteristic solid fiberglass construction, the Cal 33 features a moderate displacement hull designed to balance speed and stability. The boat's lines reflect the period's move away from heavy traditional designs toward lighter, more responsive sailing characteristics. Her beam and interior layout provide reasonable comfort for extended cruising while maintaining the sleeker profile favored by racing-oriented sailors. The Cal 33 performs well in coastal waters and makes an excellent choice for weekend cruising or club racing. Her size strikes an appealing balance for couples or small families seeking a boat large enough for comfortable overnight trips yet manageable enough for regular single-handed or short-handed sailing. The design's moderate proportions make her suitable for sailors transitioning from smaller boats or those seeking a reliable platform for learning offshore sailing techniques. Like many Cal boats from this era, the Cal 33 has developed a reputation for solid construction and dependable performance, making well-maintained examples attractive options in today's used boat market.

Market Price Estimate Beta
$7,000 – $62,900
typical asking price
Median $17,500  ·  5 listings used
All listings
$7,000 – $62,900 5
Rate a listing price
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About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 32.67 ft / 9.96 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 27.50 ft / 8.38 m
Beam 10.33 ft / 3.15 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement 10,800.00 lb / 4,899 kg
Ballast 4,800.00 lb / 2,177 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 536.00 ft² / 49.80 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer C. William Lapworth
Builder Bangor Punta
First Built 1971
Last Built 1973
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
144
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
17.61
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
25.62
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
1.87
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. 7.03
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
2.42
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. 1.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 44.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 14.0
P (Mainsail Luff) 36.42
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.5
SA Fore 308.0
SA Main 227.63
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