Back to Search
Watkins 33
Designer: W. Tripp/Watkins Yachts  ·  Builder: Watkins Yachts Inc. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1984
+ Add to Compare
About the Watkins 33

With limited documentation available, the Watkins 33 represents one of the more elusive designs in the 33-foot sailboat category. This relative obscurity often indicates either a small production run or a custom builder focusing on specialized applications rather than mass market appeal. Based on typical characteristics of boats from this era and size range, the Watkins 33 likely emerged as a coastal cruiser designed for weekend adventures and moderate offshore passages. The 33-foot length suggests a vessel large enough to provide comfortable accommodations for a small crew while remaining manageable for a couple or single-handed sailor. Without extensive specification data, potential buyers should focus their research on finding existing examples to inspect personally. The scarcity of information could work in favor of serious buyers, as lesser-known designs sometimes offer excellent value compared to more popular models with similar capabilities. Those considering a Watkins 33 would benefit from connecting with current or previous owners through sailing forums and yacht clubs, as hands-on experience reports become particularly valuable when manufacturer documentation is sparse. This approach often reveals the true sailing characteristics and build quality that specifications alone cannot convey.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 33.08 ft / 10.08 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 26.58 ft / 8.10 m
Beam 10.18 ft / 3.10 m
Max Draft 4.00 ft / 1.22 m
Displacement 11,200.00 lb / 5,080 kg
Ballast 5,500.00 lb / 2,495 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer W. Tripp/Watkins Yachts
Builder Watkins Yachts Inc. (USA)
First Built 1984
Last Built 1989
Number Built 47
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

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
189
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
49.11
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
266.26
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. 5.8 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 15.04
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.75 ft / 4.19 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 469.00 ft² / 43.57 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Yanmar
Engine & Accommodations
Fuel Capacity 30 gals / 114 L
Water Capacity 60 gals / 227 L
How It Compares

vs. Dehler 34, Hobie 33, Tartan 10

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Watkins 33 ★
33.1 ft
Dehler 34
33.1 ft
Hobie 33
33.0 ft
Tartan 10
33.1 ft
LWL
Watkins 33 ★
26.6 ft
Dehler 34
27.2 ft
Hobie 33
30.5 ft
Tartan 10
27.0 ft
Beam
Watkins 33 ★
10.2 ft
Dehler 34
11.2 ft
Hobie 33
8.0 ft
Tartan 10
9.3 ft
Displacement
Watkins 33 ★
11 lbs
Dehler 34
8 lbs
Hobie 33
4 lbs
Tartan 10
6 lbs
Ballast
Watkins 33 ★
5 lbs
Dehler 34
3 lbs
Hobie 33
1 lbs
Tartan 10
3 lbs
Sail Area
Watkins 33 ★
Dehler 34
492 sq ft
Hobie 33
Tartan 10
486 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Watkins 33 ★
189 s/nm
Dehler 34
132 s/nm
Hobie 33
93 s/nm
Tartan 10
126 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Watkins 33 ★
Dehler 34
18.5
Hobie 33
Tartan 10
22.0
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Watkins 33 ★
49.1 %
Dehler 34
45.0 %
Hobie 33
47.5 %
Tartan 10
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Watkins 33 ★
Dehler 34
18.9
Hobie 33
Tartan 10
18.5
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Watkins 33 ★
Dehler 34
2.16
Hobie 33
Tartan 10
1.97
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Watkins 33 ★
266
Dehler 34
194
Hobie 33
62
Tartan 10
Hull Speed
Watkins 33 ★
Dehler 34
7.0 kts
Hobie 33
Tartan 10
7.0 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Watkins 33 ★
Dehler 34
2.9
Hobie 33
Tartan 10
4.0
Find a Watkins 33 For Sale