The Rhodes 33 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages, designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.
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 22.3′, the Rhodes 33 tops out around 6.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.3′ LWL = 6.3 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
156s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
SA / Displacement
19.2
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Comfort Ratio
26.9
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.52
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
545lbs
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
26.9
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
1.52
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 Rhodes 33 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Pearson 34
144s/nm
Islander 34
147s/nm
Tartan 33
153s/nm
Rhodes 33
156s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Bristol 33
180s/nm
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° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
3.9 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.0 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.9 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.7 |
4.6 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
| Run150–180° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.3 kts),
SA/D (19.2), 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 Rhodes 33 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ 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 Rhodes 33.
|
Rhodes 33 |
Bristol 33 |
Columbia 34 Mk Ii |
Islander 34 |
Pearson 34 |
Tartan 33 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
33.7 |
33.6 |
33.6 |
33.6 |
33.8 |
33.7 |
| LWL |
22.3 |
26.1 |
27.3 |
25.0 |
28.1 |
28.8 |
| Beam |
6.8 |
10.3 |
10.0 |
10.0 |
11.2 |
11.0 |
| Displacement |
5 |
12 |
12 |
10 |
11 |
10 |
| Ballast |
2 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
| Sail Area |
386 |
469 |
526 |
471 |
550 |
531 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
156 |
180 |
— |
147 |
144 |
153 |
| SA/Disp |
19.2 |
13.8 |
16.1 |
15.9 |
17.6 |
18.4 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
39.8 |
39.2 |
31.7 |
— |
— |
| Comfort |
26.9 |
31.5 |
29.6 |
27.1 |
23.4 |
21.0 |
| Capsize |
1.52 |
1.76 |
1.75 |
1.84 |
2.00 |
2.04 |
| Hull Speed |
6.3 |
6.8 |
7.0 |
6.7 |
7.1 |
7.2 |