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Saturna 33
Designer: William Garden  ·  Builder: Saturna Yachts/Wiggers Custom Yachts  ·  First built: 1981
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About the Saturna 33

Designed for Pacific Northwest waters, the Saturna 33 is a capable cruising sailboat that earned a quiet but loyal following among sailors who prioritize seaworthiness and practical comfort over flashy performance. Built in British Columbia, Canada, the boat reflects the sensibilities of West Coast sailing — an emphasis on handling rough conditions, coastal passages, and extended cruising without sacrificing ease of singlehanding or short-handed operation. The Saturna 33 carries a reputation as a solid, no-nonsense cruiser well suited to coastal and near-offshore adventures. Her hull form suggests a focus on stability and predictable behavior in the chop and swells characteristic of the Salish Sea and beyond. Sailors who have owned or sailed these boats often speak to their confidence-inspiring motion and manageable rig, making them an approachable choice for both experienced cruisers and those stepping up to bluewater-capable boats for the first time. While detailed specifications can be difficult to track down, the Saturna 33 remains a respected name among those familiar with Canadian production sailboats, and examples on the used market tend to attract buyers seeking a trustworthy, purpose-built cruising companion.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 33.00 ft / 10.06 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 26.75 ft / 8.15 m
Beam 10.67 ft / 3.25 m
Max Draft 5.50 ft / 1.68 m
Displacement 13,500.00 lb / 6,123 kg
Ballast 5,000.00 lb / 2,268 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 503.00 ft² / 46.73 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer William Garden
Builder Saturna Yachts/Wiggers Custom Yachts
First Built 1981
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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
200
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
14.25
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
31.13
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
1.8
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. 6.93
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
1.43
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
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 41.25
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.75
P (Mainsail Luff) 35.25
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.5
SA Fore 283.59
SA Main 220.31
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