The Com-Pac 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.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 29.0′, the Com-Pac 33 tops out around 7.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √29.0′ LWL = 7.2 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
17.1
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
40.0%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
201
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
20.4
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.13
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
SA/Disp (Calculated)
18.5
Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
7lbs
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
20.4
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
2.13
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Com-Pac 33 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Ericson 34 2
144s/nm
Allmand 35
156s/nm
Sadler 34
173s/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° |
2.9 |
3.6 |
4.1 |
4.2 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.3 |
5.4 |
6.0 |
6.3 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.0 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.8 |
| Run150–180° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.2 kts),
SA/D (17.1), 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 Com-Pac 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 Com-Pac 33.
|
Com-Pac 33 |
Allmand 35 |
Ericson 34 2 |
Hallberg Rassy 352 |
Landfall 35 Cc |
Sadler 34 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
34.8 |
34.8 |
34.8 |
34.8 |
34.9 |
34.8 |
| LWL |
29.0 |
28.2 |
29.0 |
28.6 |
26.8 |
27.8 |
| Beam |
11.8 |
11.7 |
11.3 |
11.1 |
10.7 |
10.8 |
| Displacement |
11 |
15 |
13 |
14 |
13 |
12 |
| Ballast |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
| Sail Area |
530 |
549 |
595 |
600 |
— |
496 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
156 |
144 |
— |
— |
173 |
| SA/Disp |
17.1 |
14.4 |
17.3 |
16.0 |
— |
14.6 |
| Bal/Disp |
40.0 |
28.5 |
40.0 |
44.8 |
42.3 |
39.1 |
| Comfort |
20.4 |
29.4 |
25.8 |
30.5 |
— |
28.0 |
| Capsize |
2.13 |
1.89 |
1.93 |
1.81 |
— |
1.84 |
| Hull Speed |
7.2 |
7.1 |
7.2 |
7.2 |
— |
7.1 |