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Morgan 33
Designer: Charles Morgan  ·  Builder: Morgan Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1968
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About the Morgan 33

Charles Morgan's 33-footer represents a transitional design from the late 1960s, bridging the gap between traditional heavy displacement cruisers and the emerging performance-oriented sailboats of the era. Built by Morgan Yachts between 1968 and 1972, this masthead sloop incorporates a modern fin keel and spade rudder configuration that was relatively progressive for its time. With a displacement of 11,000 pounds and nearly half of that in ballast, the Morgan 33 offers the stability and seakindly motion that made the builder's reputation among cruising sailors. The boat's moderate sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 16.29 suggests reasonable performance under sail while maintaining the forgiving characteristics valued by cruising families. Her low comfort ratio of 32.18 indicates a relatively quick motion in seaways compared to heavier designs. The fiberglass construction and robust build quality typical of Morgan Yachts makes these boats suitable for coastal cruising and occasional offshore passages. Only 75 examples were produced during the four-year production run, making the Morgan 33 a relatively uncommon sight today. The design appeals to sailors seeking a well-built vintage cruiser with more modern underbody characteristics than earlier full-keel designs.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 33.30 ft / 10.15 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.26 ft / 7.39 m
Beam 9.33 ft / 2.84 m
Max Draft 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Displacement 11,000.00 lb / 4,990 kg
Ballast 5,000.00 lb / 2,268 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 502.00 ft² / 46.64 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Charles Morgan
Builder Morgan Yachts (USA)
First Built 1968
Last Built 1972
Number Built 75
Related Sailboats ["Cal 34" · "Ranger 33" · "Tartan 10" · "Ct 34" · "Cal 2 34"]
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 174
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
 16.29
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 45.45
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 343.93
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
 32.18
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
 1.68
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. 6.60 kn
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
 1.4
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. 808.76 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 16.29
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 39.50 ft / 12.04 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.00 ft / 3.96 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 34.30 ft / 10.45 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 14.30 ft / 4.36 m
SA Fore 256.75 ft² / 23.85 m²
SA Main 245.25 ft² / 22.78 m²
SA Total (100%) 502.00 ft² / 46.64 m²
Est. Forestay Length 41.58 ft / 12.67 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Universal
Engine Model Atomic 4
Engine Type Gas
Horsepower 30
Fuel Capacity 14 gals / 53 L
Water Capacity 34 gals / 129 L
How It Compares

vs. Ct 34, Ranger 33, Tartan 10

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Morgan 33 ★
33.3 ft
Ct 34
33.3 ft
Ranger 33
33.2 ft
Tartan 10
33.1 ft
LWL
Morgan 33 ★
24.3 ft
Ct 34
27.7 ft
Ranger 33
26.3 ft
Tartan 10
27.0 ft
Beam
Morgan 33 ★
9.3 ft
Ct 34
10.3 ft
Ranger 33
9.6 ft
Tartan 10
9.3 ft
Displacement
Morgan 33 ★
11 lbs
Ct 34
16 lbs
Ranger 33
10 lbs
Tartan 10
6 lbs
Ballast
Morgan 33 ★
5 lbs
Ct 34
5 lbs
Ranger 33
4 lbs
Tartan 10
3 lbs
Sail Area
Morgan 33 ★
502 sq ft
Ct 34
—
Ranger 33
529 sq ft
Tartan 10
486 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Morgan 33 ★
174 s/nm
Ct 34
—
Ranger 33
156 s/nm
Tartan 10
126 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Morgan 33 ★
16.3
Ct 34
—
Ranger 33
17.7
Tartan 10
22.0
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Morgan 33 ★
45.5 %
Ct 34
32.9 %
Ranger 33
42.9 %
Tartan 10
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Morgan 33 ★
32.2
Ct 34
—
Ranger 33
28.2
Tartan 10
18.5
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Morgan 33 ★
1.68
Ct 34
—
Ranger 33
1.75
Tartan 10
1.97
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Morgan 33 ★
343
Ct 34
339
Ranger 33
259
Tartan 10
—
Hull Speed
Morgan 33 ★
6.6 kts
Ct 34
—
Ranger 33
6.9 kts
Tartan 10
7.0 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Morgan 33 ★
1.4
Ct 34
—
Ranger 33
2.2
Tartan 10
4.0
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