California Yachts introduced the Cal 33 as part of their successful line of fiberglass production sailboats that helped define recreational sailing in the 1970s. This mid-sized cruiser-racer represents the era's philosophy of combining comfortable accommodations with respectable sailing performance. Built with Cal's characteristic solid fiberglass construction, the Cal 33 features a moderate displacement hull designed to balance speed and stability. The boat's lines reflect the period's move away from heavy traditional designs toward lighter, more responsive sailing characteristics. Her beam and interior layout provide reasonable comfort for extended cruising while maintaining the sleeker profile favored by racing-oriented sailors. The Cal 33 performs well in coastal waters and makes an excellent choice for weekend cruising or club racing. Her size strikes an appealing balance for couples or small families seeking a boat large enough for comfortable overnight trips yet manageable enough for regular single-handed or short-handed sailing. The design's moderate proportions make her suitable for sailors transitioning from smaller boats or those seeking a reliable platform for learning offshore sailing techniques. Like many Cal boats from this era, the Cal 33 has developed a reputation for solid construction and dependable performance, making well-maintained examples attractive options in today's used boat market.
About this estimate ▾
- Based on asking prices — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
- Condition, year, location, and included equipment are not factored in.
- Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering.
- See our full analysis: What Thousands of Sailboat Listings Tell Us About Used Boat Prices.
No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.
What is the Cal 33's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Cal 33 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 17.61. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Cal 33's comfort ratio?
The Cal 33 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 25.62. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Cal 33 safe for offshore sailing?
The Cal 33 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.87. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Cal 33?
The theoretical hull speed of the Cal 33 is 7.03 knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Cal 33 weigh?
The Cal 33 has a displacement of 10,800.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 32.67 ft.
How much does a used Cal 33 cost?
Based on 7 recent market listings, used Cal 33 sailboats typically sell for between $5,000 and $62,900, with a median asking price of $17,500. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.
Who designed the Cal 33?
The Cal 33 was designed by C. William Lapworth, first built in 1971.