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Cape Dory 33
Designer: Carl Alberg  ·  Builder: Cape Dory Yachts  ·  First built: 1980
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About the Cape Dory 33

Built during Cape Dory's heyday in the 1970s and 1980s, this 33-footer represents the Maine builder's commitment to traditional cruising sailboats designed for serious offshore work. Cape Dory earned its reputation by creating vessels that prioritized seaworthiness over speed, and the 33 continues this philosophy with its robust construction and conservative design approach. The boat features Cape Dory's characteristic deep, full keel configuration that provides exceptional tracking ability and stability in heavy weather conditions. This design makes it particularly well-suited for coastal cruising and offshore passages, though sailors should expect leisurely progress rather than racing performance. The full keel also offers protection for the propeller and rudder when exploring shallow waters or dealing with groundings. Cape Dory's reputation for solid fiberglass construction and attention to detail shines through in the 33, making it a sought-after choice among cruising sailors who value reliability over flashy performance. The boat's traditional lines and practical layout reflect an era when sailboat design prioritized safety and comfort for extended voyaging, earning respect from blue-water sailors who appreciate time-tested design principles.

Market Price Estimate Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$33,500 – $37,999
typical asking price
Median $37,999  ·  3 listings used
All listings
$33,500 – $37,999 3
Rate a listing price
$
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) 33.04 ft / 10.07 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.50 ft / 7.47 m
Beam 10.25 ft / 3.12 m
Max Draft 4.83 ft / 1.47 m
Displacement 13,300.00 lb / 6,033 kg
Ballast 5,500.00 lb / 2,495 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 546.00 ft² / 50.73 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Carl Alberg
Builder Cape Dory Yachts
First Built 1980
Last Built 1985
Owner Reviews

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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
174
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
15.62
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
34.22
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
1.73
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. 6.63
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
1.03
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. 897.3
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 43.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.0
P (Mainsail Luff) 37.0
E (Mainsail Foot) 14.0
SA Fore 279.5
SA Main 259.0
How It Compares

vs. Csy 33, Morgan Out Island 33, Pearson 10M

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Cape Dory 33 ★
33.0 ft
Csy 33
33.0 ft
Morgan Out Island 33
33.0 ft
Pearson 10M
33.0 ft
LWL
Cape Dory 33 ★
24.5 ft
Csy 33
25.0 ft
Morgan Out Island 33
27.5 ft
Pearson 10M
28.3 ft
Beam
Cape Dory 33 ★
10.3 ft
Csy 33
11.0 ft
Morgan Out Island 33
11.8 ft
Pearson 10M
11.0 ft
Displacement
Cape Dory 33 ★
13 lbs
Csy 33
15 lbs
Morgan Out Island 33
14 lbs
Pearson 10M
12 lbs
Ballast
Cape Dory 33 ★
5 lbs
Csy 33
4 lbs
Morgan Out Island 33
5 lbs
Pearson 10M
5 lbs
Sail Area
Cape Dory 33 ★
546 sq ft
Csy 33
539 sq ft
Morgan Out Island 33
522 sq ft
Pearson 10M
524 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Cape Dory 33 ★
174 s/nm
Csy 33
210 s/nm
Morgan Out Island 33
Pearson 10M
147 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Cape Dory 33 ★
15.6
Csy 33
14.0
Morgan Out Island 33
14.1
Pearson 10M
15.7
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Cape Dory 33 ★
Csy 33
30.1 %
Morgan Out Island 33
34.5 %
Pearson 10M
43.8 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Cape Dory 33 ★
34.2
Csy 33
35.4
Morgan Out Island 33
28.6
Pearson 10M
26.5
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Cape Dory 33 ★
1.73
Csy 33
1.78
Morgan Out Island 33
1.94
Pearson 10M
1.90
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Cape Dory 33 ★
Csy 33
437
Morgan Out Island 33
311
Pearson 10M
244
Hull Speed
Cape Dory 33 ★
6.6 kts
Csy 33
6.7 kts
Morgan Out Island 33
7.0 kts
Pearson 10M
7.1 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Cape Dory 33 ★
1.0
Csy 33
0.8
Morgan Out Island 33
1.4
Pearson 10M
2.1
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