The Cape Dory 330 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 24.5′, the Cape Dory 330 tops out around 6.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √24.5′ LWL = 6.6 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
165s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
SA / Displacement
15.6
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
41.4%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
404
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
34.2
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.73
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
SA/Disp (Calculated)
16.1
Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
897lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
34.2
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.73
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Cape Dory 330 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Pearson 10M
147s/nm
Cape Dory 330
165s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Cape Dory 33
174s/nm
Endeavour 33
183s/nm
Csy 33
210s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.5 |
3.2 |
3.6 |
3.7 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.1 |
3.9 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.3 |
5.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
| Run150–180° |
2.8 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.6 kts),
SA/D (15.6), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Cape Dory 330 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Cape Dory 330.
|
Cape Dory 330 |
Cape Dory 33 |
Csy 33 |
Endeavour 33 |
Pearson 10M |
Roughwater 33 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
33.0 |
33.0 |
33.0 |
33.0 |
33.0 |
33.1 |
| LWL |
24.5 |
24.5 |
25.0 |
27.5 |
28.3 |
26.0 |
| Beam |
10.3 |
10.3 |
11.0 |
11.5 |
11.0 |
9.8 |
| Displacement |
13 |
13 |
15 |
11 |
12 |
15 |
| Ballast |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
| Sail Area |
546 |
546 |
539 |
539 |
524 |
460 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
165 |
174 |
210 |
183 |
147 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
15.6 |
15.6 |
14.0 |
17.1 |
15.7 |
12.1 |
| Bal/Disp |
41.4 |
41.4 |
30.1 |
40.5 |
43.8 |
33.3 |
| Comfort |
34.2 |
34.2 |
35.4 |
23.3 |
26.5 |
39.7 |
| Capsize |
1.73 |
1.73 |
1.78 |
2.05 |
1.90 |
1.58 |
| Hull Speed |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.7 |
7.0 |
7.1 |
6.8 |