Designed by Rob Humphreys and built by Contessa Yachts Ltd in the UK starting in 1984, this 33-footer represents a refined approach to coastal cruising and club racing. With only 20 hulls produced, the Contessa 33 remains a relatively rare find that combines British craftsmanship with modern sailing characteristics. The boat's fin keel and spade rudder configuration, coupled with a fractional sloop rig carrying 481 square feet of sail area, delivers responsive handling and solid upwind performance. Her moderate displacement of 8,988 pounds strikes an effective balance between cruising comfort and sailing ability, while the SA/Displacement ratio of 17.86 indicates spirited performance in moderate conditions. Built for sailors seeking quality over quantity, the Contessa 33 excels in coastal waters and makes an excellent choice for weekend cruising or club racing. The hull's 6.76-knot theoretical hull speed and comfortable 20.45 comfort ratio suggest she's equally at home on extended coastal passages or day sails. Her capsize screening value of 2.14 indicates good stability characteristics for nearshore and coastal sailing. The fiberglass construction and compact 18-horsepower auxiliary engine make her practical for marina life, while Rob Humphreys' design pedigree ensures sailing performance that rewards skilled helmsmanship.
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What is the Contessa 33's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Contessa 33 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 17.86. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Contessa 33's comfort ratio?
The Contessa 33 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 20.45. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Contessa 33 safe for offshore sailing?
The Contessa 33 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.14. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Contessa 33?
The theoretical hull speed of the Contessa 33 is 6.76 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Contessa 33 weigh?
The Contessa 33 has a displacement of 8,988.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 32.67 ft.
Who designed the Contessa 33?
The Contessa 33 was designed by Rob Humphreys, first built in 1984.