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Islander 33
Designer: J. H. Mcglasson  ·  Builder: Wayfarer Yacht Corp.  ·  First built: 1964
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About the Islander 33

Built during the late 1970s and early 1980s, this coastal cruiser emerged from Islander Yachts' lineup as a well-proportioned mid-sized sailboat designed for comfortable weekend sailing and extended coastal adventures. The Islander 33 carries the manufacturer's reputation for solid fiberglass construction and practical layouts that prioritize livability over racing performance. With her moderate beam and traditional sailing characteristics, this boat appeals to sailors seeking a reliable platform for exploring protected waters and making coastal passages. The design emphasizes stability and ease of handling, making her particularly suitable for couples or small families looking to cruise regional waters without sacrificing comfort below decks. Islander Yachts was known for creating boats that offered good value for money, and the 33-footer continues this tradition with a spacious interior that maximizes the available length. Her cockpit provides adequate room for entertaining while maintaining the cozy feel that defines boats of this era. The Islander 33 represents classic 1970s cruising boat philosophy: straightforward sailing characteristics, honest construction, and accommodations designed for extended time aboard rather than day sailing alone.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 32.58 ft / 9.93 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.00 ft / 7.32 m
Beam 10.16 ft / 3.10 m
Max Draft 4.50 ft / 1.37 m
Displacement 10,000.00 lb / 4,536 kg
Ballast 3,300.00 lb / 1,497 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 448.00 ft² / 41.62 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer J. H. McGlasson
Builder Wayfarer Yacht Corp.
First Built 1964
Last Built 1971
Related Sailboats ["Islander 32" · "Pearson 33 2" · "Cal 33" · "Cs 33" · "Vanguard 33 Pearson"]
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
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
 15.5
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
 26.51
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
 1.89
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. 6.56
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
 1.47
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. 871.27
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 36.8
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.5
P (Mainsail Luff) 32.3
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.5
SA Fore 230.0
SA Main 218.03
How It Compares

vs. Cal 33, Cs 33, Pearson 33 2

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Islander 33 ★
32.6 ft
Cal 33
32.7 ft
Cs 33
32.7 ft
Pearson 33 2
32.5 ft
LWL
Islander 33 ★
24.0 ft
Cal 33
27.5 ft
Cs 33
26.4 ft
Pearson 33 2
26.3 ft
Beam
Islander 33 ★
10.2 ft
Cal 33
10.3 ft
Cs 33
10.7 ft
Pearson 33 2
11.0 ft
Displacement
Islander 33 ★
10 lbs
Cal 33
10 lbs
Cs 33
10 lbs
Pearson 33 2
11 lbs
Ballast
Islander 33 ★
3 lbs
Cal 33
4 lbs
Cs 33
4 lbs
Pearson 33 2
4 lbs
Sail Area
Islander 33 ★
448 sq ft
Cal 33
536 sq ft
Cs 33
503 sq ft
Pearson 33 2
515 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Islander 33 ★
—
Cal 33
144 s/nm
Cs 33
150 s/nm
Pearson 33 2
177 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Islander 33 ★
15.5
Cal 33
17.6
Cs 33
17.4
Pearson 33 2
16.7
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Islander 33 ★
26.5
Cal 33
25.6
Cs 33
23.3
Pearson 33 2
24.8
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Islander 33 ★
1.89
Cal 33
1.87
Cs 33
1.98
Pearson 33 2
1.98
Hull Speed
Islander 33 ★
6.6 kts
Cal 33
7.0 kts
Cs 33
6.9 kts
Pearson 33 2
6.9 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Islander 33 ★
1.5
Cal 33
2.4
Cs 33
2.3
Pearson 33 2
1.9
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