The Contest 33 is modestly canvassed and unhurried, 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 25.9′, the Contest 33 tops out around 6.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √25.9′ LWL = 6.8 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
210s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
SA / Displacement
13.2
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Ballast / Displacement
41.0%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
297
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
28.7
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.83
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
957lbs
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
28.7
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
1.83
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 Contest 33 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Pearson 323
174s/nm
Contest 33
210s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
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° |
2.4 |
3.1 |
3.4 |
3.6 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Run150–180° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.8 kts),
SA/D (13.2), 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 Contest 33 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–24 kts
24–34 kts
34+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–24 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
24–34 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
34+ 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 Contest 33.
|
Contest 33 |
Allegro 33 |
Chance 32 |
Ericson 32 Scorpion |
Laurin 32 |
Pearson 323 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
32.3 |
32.2 |
32.1 |
32.3 |
32.2 |
32.3 |
| LWL |
25.9 |
28.9 |
27.8 |
22.6 |
28.2 |
27.5 |
| Beam |
10.3 |
10.9 |
10.0 |
6.3 |
9.5 |
10.0 |
| Displacement |
11 |
12 |
12 |
4 |
10 |
12 |
| Ballast |
4 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
| Sail Area |
420 |
524 |
459 |
315 |
514 |
477 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
210 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
174 |
| SA/Disp |
13.2 |
15.8 |
14.0 |
18.3 |
17.6 |
14.0 |
| Bal/Disp |
41.0 |
50.0 |
38.9 |
56.5 |
47.8 |
35.2 |
| Comfort |
28.7 |
26.4 |
29.8 |
24.2 |
26.8 |
31.8 |
| Capsize |
1.83 |
1.90 |
1.75 |
1.51 |
1.75 |
1.71 |
| Hull Speed |
6.8 |
7.2 |
7.1 |
6.4 |
7.1 |
7.0 |