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Norwest 33
Designer: Chuck Burns  ·  Builder: Nor'west Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Norwest 33

Designed for sailors who want a capable and comfortable cruising experience, the Norwest 33 is a mid-sized monohull that reflects the practical sensibilities of its era. Built with coastal and bluewater cruising in mind, this vessel offers a solid platform for those looking to explore beyond sheltered waters without sacrificing the comfort of longer passages. While detailed specifications for the Norwest 33 remain limited in public records, the boat carries a reputation among its owners for being a dependable and seaworthy cruiser. Its hull form suggests a focus on stability and steady performance in a range of conditions, making it a pragmatic choice for sailors who prioritize reliability over outright speed. The layout and construction are generally in keeping with production cruising boats of its class, offering livable accommodations for extended time aboard. For buyers researching the Norwest 33, connecting with current or previous owners through sailing forums and communities is likely the most valuable path to understanding the boat's true character, quirks, and long-term ownership experience.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 33.50 ft / 10.21 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
Beam 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
Max Draft 4.75 ft / 1.45 m
Displacement 11,500.00 lb / 5,216 kg
Ballast 5,300.00 lb / 2,404 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG w/balsa cored deck
Designer Chuck Burns
Builder Nor'west Yachts (USA)
First Built 1978
Last Built 1981
Number Built 18
Related Sailboats ["Hunter 33" · "Mirage 33" · "Ericson 33" · "Cal 2 34" · "S2 103"]
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
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
 46.09
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
 328.57
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. 5.36 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 16.32
J (Foretriangle Base) 14.00 ft / 4.27 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 518.00 ft² / 48.12 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Yanmar
Engine & Accommodations
Horsepower 20
Fuel Capacity 30 gals / 114 L
Water Capacity 50 gals / 189 L
How It Compares

vs. Cal 2 34, Ericson 33, Mirage 33

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Norwest 33 ★
33.5 ft
Cal 2 34
33.3 ft
Ericson 33
33.5 ft
Mirage 33
33.5 ft
LWL
Norwest 33 ★
25.0 ft
Cal 2 34
26.0 ft
Ericson 33
26.8 ft
Mirage 33
26.8 ft
Beam
Norwest 33 ★
10.0 ft
Cal 2 34
10.0 ft
Ericson 33
11.2 ft
Mirage 33
11.7 ft
Displacement
Norwest 33 ★
11 lbs
Cal 2 34
9 lbs
Ericson 33
9 lbs
Mirage 33
9 lbs
Ballast
Norwest 33 ★
5 lbs
Cal 2 34
3 lbs
Ericson 33
3 lbs
Mirage 33
3 lbs
Sail Area
Norwest 33 ★
—
Cal 2 34
479 sq ft
Ericson 33
573 sq ft
Mirage 33
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Norwest 33 ★
—
Cal 2 34
—
Ericson 33
134 s/nm
Mirage 33
150 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Norwest 33 ★
—
Cal 2 34
17.1
Ericson 33
20.5
Mirage 33
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Norwest 33 ★
46.1 %
Cal 2 34
39.5 %
Ericson 33
41.6 %
Mirage 33
37.6 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Norwest 33 ★
—
Cal 2 34
24.3
Ericson 33
20.5
Mirage 33
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Norwest 33 ★
—
Cal 2 34
1.89
Ericson 33
2.11
Mirage 33
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Norwest 33 ★
328
Cal 2 34
241
Ericson 33
219
Mirage 33
216
Hull Speed
Norwest 33 ★
—
Cal 2 34
6.8 kts
Ericson 33
6.9 kts
Mirage 33
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Norwest 33 ★
—
Cal 2 34
2.3
Ericson 33
2.8
Mirage 33
—
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