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Performance

Cc 33 Performance

How the Cc 33 performs on the water — racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort.

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The Cc 33 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.

Hull Speed

The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.

6.9 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length. With a waterline of 26.4′, the Cc 33 tops out around 6.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √26.4′ LWL = 6.9 kts

Performance Ratios

Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.

SA / Displacement
17.6
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
41.6%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
237
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
23.3
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.97
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Hull Speed
6.9kts
S# (Speed Number)
2.4
Pounds/Inch Immersion
992lbs
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
23.3
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.97
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 Cc 33 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
X 102 122s/nm
Pearson 33 177s/nm
Centurion 32 180s/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° 2.8 3.5 3.9 4.1
Close Reach60° 3.4 4.3 4.8 5.0
Beam Reach90° 4.1 5.2 5.8 6.1
Broad Reach120–135° 3.8 4.8 5.4 5.6
Run150–180° 3.1 3.9 4.3 4.5
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.9 kts), SA/D (17.6), 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 Cc 33 — 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 Cc 33.

Cc 33 Banner 33 Centurion 32 Contention 33 Peterson Pearson 33 X 102
Dimensions
LOA 32.9 33.0 32.8 32.8 32.9 32.9
LWL 26.4 30.2 24.0 28.5 25.8 25.6
Beam 10.5 9.3 9.8 10.4 10.0 11.2
Displacement 9 5 9 9 10 7
Ballast 4 2 4 4 4 3
Sail Area 502 500 444 490 537
Performance
PHRF 180 177 122
SA/Disp 17.6 25.1 15.8 17.8 22.1
Bal/Disp 41.6 50.0 45.9 45.5 38.4 45.7
Comfort 23.3 14.6 26.8 21.4 17.2
Capsize 1.97 2.09 1.84 1.98 2.27
Hull Speed 6.9 7.4 6.6 7.2 6.8