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Maxi 33
Designer: Pelle Petterson  ·  Builder: Maxi Yachts  ·  First built: 1986
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About the Maxi 33

Built during the height of the performance cruiser movement, this 33-footer represents an intriguing blend of sailing capability and practical design. While detailed specifications remain scarce, the Maxi 33's proportions and era suggest a boat conceived for sailors seeking both weekend coastal adventures and extended cruising potential. The design philosophy appears rooted in the late 1970s and early 1980s approach to cruiser-racers, when builders prioritized sailing performance without abandoning creature comforts. Her moderate displacement likely provides a good balance between speed and stability, making her suitable for coastal cruising with occasional offshore passages for experienced crews. Documentation of the Maxi 33 proves elusive, suggesting limited production numbers that have created something of a cult following among owners who appreciate her sailing characteristics. The boat's relative obscurity in today's market means finding one requires patience, but also presents opportunities for buyers seeking something different from the mainstream production boats. For sailors drawn to less common designs with honest sailing ability, the Maxi 33 offers an alternative path to coastal and offshore adventures, though prospective buyers should thoroughly evaluate individual boats given the limited support network typical of smaller production runs.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 32.48 ft / 9.90 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 26.90 ft / 8.20 m
Beam 10.60 ft / 3.23 m
Max Draft 4.69 ft / 1.43 m
Displacement 9,921.00 lb / 4,500 kg
Ballast 3,968.00 lb / 1,800 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 430.56 ft² / 40.00 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional (7/8) Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Pelle Petterson
Builder Maxi Yachts
First Built 1986
Last Built 1991
Related Sailboats First 32S5 Beneteau · Pearson 33 2 · Ericson 32 3 · J32 · Cc 33 2
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
14.97
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
23.12
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
1.98
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. 6.95
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. 1.0
How It Compares

vs. Cc 33 2, Ericson 32 3, First 32S5 Beneteau, J32, Pearson 33 2

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Maxi 33 ★
32.5 ft
Cc 33 2
32.6 ft
Ericson 32 3
32.5 ft
First 32S5 Beneteau
32.5 ft
J32
32.6 ft
Pearson 33 2
32.5 ft
LWL
Maxi 33 ★
26.9 ft
Cc 33 2
26.2 ft
Ericson 32 3
25.8 ft
First 32S5 Beneteau
27.8 ft
J32
28.8 ft
Pearson 33 2
26.3 ft
Beam
Maxi 33 ★
10.6 ft
Cc 33 2
10.5 ft
Ericson 32 3
10.8 ft
First 32S5 Beneteau
10.8 ft
J32
11.0 ft
Pearson 33 2
11.0 ft
Displacement
Maxi 33 ★
9 lbs
Cc 33 2
9 lbs
Ericson 32 3
9 lbs
First 32S5 Beneteau
9 lbs
J32
10 lbs
Pearson 33 2
11 lbs
Ballast
Maxi 33 ★
3 lbs
Cc 33 2
3 lbs
Ericson 32 3
4 lbs
First 32S5 Beneteau
2 lbs
J32
3 lbs
Pearson 33 2
4 lbs
Sail Area
Maxi 33 ★
430 sq ft
Cc 33 2
511 sq ft
Ericson 32 3
497 sq ft
First 32S5 Beneteau
455 sq ft
J32
518 sq ft
Pearson 33 2
515 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Maxi 33 ★
15.0
Cc 33 2
18.4
Ericson 32 3
17.4
First 32S5 Beneteau
16.6
J32
17.9
Pearson 33 2
16.7
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Maxi 33 ★
Cc 33 2
Ericson 32 3
42.9 %
First 32S5 Beneteau
32.2 %
J32
38.4 %
Pearson 33 2
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Maxi 33 ★
23.1
Cc 33 2
22.7
Ericson 32 3
22.8
First 32S5 Beneteau
20.5
J32
21.2
Pearson 33 2
24.8
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Maxi 33 ★
1.98
Cc 33 2
1.99
Ericson 32 3
2.03
First 32S5 Beneteau
2.07
J32
2.05
Pearson 33 2
1.98
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Maxi 33 ★
Cc 33 2
Ericson 32 3
253
First 32S5 Beneteau
191
J32
186
Pearson 33 2
Hull Speed
Maxi 33 ★
7.0 kts
Cc 33 2
6.9 kts
Ericson 32 3
6.8 kts
First 32S5 Beneteau
7.1 kts
J32
7.2 kts
Pearson 33 2
6.9 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Maxi 33 ★
Cc 33 2
2.5
Ericson 32 3
2.2
First 32S5 Beneteau
2.8
J32
3.0
Pearson 33 2
1.9
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