The Tartan 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 28.8′, the Tartan 33 tops out around 7.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √28.8′ LWL = 7.2 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
153s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
SA / Displacement
18.4
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Comfort Ratio
21.0
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.04
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
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
21.0
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
2.04
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Tartan 33 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
San Juan 34
132s/nm
Tartan 33 R
132s/nm
Pearson 34
144s/nm
Tartan 33
153s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
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° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.4 |
5.6 |
6.2 |
6.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.0 |
| Run150–180° |
3.3 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.2 kts),
SA/D (18.4), 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 Tartan 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 Tartan 33.
|
Tartan 33 |
Hallberg Rassy 34 |
Pearson 34 |
S2 103 |
San Juan 34 |
Tartan 33 R |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
33.7 |
33.7 |
33.8 |
33.8 |
33.8 |
33.7 |
| LWL |
28.8 |
28.5 |
28.1 |
28.0 |
27.9 |
28.8 |
| Beam |
11.0 |
11.2 |
11.2 |
11.3 |
10.9 |
11.0 |
| Displacement |
10 |
11 |
11 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
| Ballast |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
| Sail Area |
531 |
592 |
550 |
564 |
548 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
153 |
— |
144 |
— |
132 |
132 |
| SA/Disp |
18.4 |
18.5 |
17.6 |
18.9 |
18.4 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
39.6 |
— |
— |
45.7 |
44.0 |
| Comfort |
21.0 |
24.0 |
23.4 |
21.5 |
22.6 |
— |
| Capsize |
2.04 |
1.98 |
2.00 |
2.07 |
2.00 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
7.2 |
7.2 |
7.1 |
7.1 |
7.1 |
— |