Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.7 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 25.0′, the Shelter Island 33 tops out around 6.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √25.0′ LWL = 6.7 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
27.0%
Light ballast — tends to be tender; reef earlier than the numbers suggest.
Displacement / Length
291
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Hull Speed
6.7kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
5lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Shelter Island 33 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Viking 34
Islander 34
Bristol 33
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Shelter Island 33.
| Shelter Island 33 | Bristol 33 | Columbia 34 Mk Ii | Columbia 34 Mk Ii Sd | Islander 34 | Viking 34 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 33.5 | 33.6 | 33.6 | 33.6 | 33.6 | 33.6 |
| LWL | 25.0 | 26.1 | 27.3 | 28.0 | 25.0 | 27.2 |
| Beam | 10.3 | 10.3 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 9.8 |
| Displacement | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 8 |
| Ballast | 2 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Sail Area | — | 469 | 526 | 526 | 471 | 540 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | 180 | — | — | 147 | 129 |
| SA/Disp | — | 13.8 | 16.1 | 15.3 | 15.9 | 20.2 |
| Bal/Disp | 27.0 | 39.8 | 39.2 | 43.9 | 31.7 | — |
| Comfort | — | 31.5 | 29.6 | 31.5 | 27.1 | 22.5 |
| Capsize | — | 1.76 | 1.75 | 1.70 | 1.84 | 1.90 |
| Hull Speed | — | 6.8 | 7.0 | 7.1 | 6.7 | 7.0 |