Home/ Boats/ Bill Lee Yachts Inc. (Usa)/ Santa Cruz 33
Sailboat Specifications

Santa Cruz 33

Masthead Sloop · Fin W/Spade Rudder

Designed by Bill Lee · Built by Bill Lee Yachts Inc. (Usa) · First built 1978

+ Add to Compare
LOA 33.00 ft  ·  Beam 10.00 ft  ·  Displacement 7,000.00 lb  ·  Sail Area 476.00 ft²  ·  Masthead Sloop  ·  Fin W/Spade Rudder
About the Santa Cruz 33 Sailboat

Designed by the legendary Bill Lee in 1978, this Santa Cruz 33 represents the pioneering spirit of California's performance cruising movement. Lee, known for his innovative approach to yacht design, created a boat that embodies the classic fin keel and spade rudder configuration that would become his trademark. With its relatively light displacement of 7,000 pounds and generous sail area of 476 square feet, this masthead sloop delivers an impressive sail area-to-displacement ratio of 20.88, indicating strong performance potential in light to moderate conditions. The 43 percent ballast ratio provides adequate stability for coastal sailing while maintaining the responsive handling characteristics that made Santa Cruz boats famous. Built by Bill Lee Yachts for just four years with only 15 hulls produced, this model remains a rare find in today's market. The fiberglass construction and 28-foot waterline length generate a theoretical hull speed of 7.09 knots, making it well-suited for coastal cruising and club racing. The boat's low comfort ratio of 17.08 reflects its performance-oriented design philosophy rather than luxurious accommodations. For sailors seeking a piece of West Coast sailing history with spirited performance characteristics, the Santa Cruz 33 offers an authentic taste of Bill Lee's influential design legacy.

Dimensions & Specifications
LOA (Length Overall) 33.00 ft / 10.06 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
Beam 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement 7,000.00 lb / 3,175 kg
Ballast 3,000.00 lb / 1,361 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 476.00 ft² / 44.22 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Bill Lee
Builder Bill Lee Yachts Inc. (USA)
First Built 1978
Last Built 1981
Number Built 15
Owner Reviews

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Santa Cruz 33's sail area to displacement ratio?

The Santa Cruz 33 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 20.88. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.

What is the Santa Cruz 33's comfort ratio?

The Santa Cruz 33 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 17.08. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.

Is the Santa Cruz 33 safe for offshore sailing?

The Santa Cruz 33 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.09. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.

What is the hull speed of the Santa Cruz 33?

The theoretical hull speed of the Santa Cruz 33 is 7.09 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.

How much does a Santa Cruz 33 weigh?

The Santa Cruz 33 has a displacement of 7,000.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 33.00 ft.

Who designed the Santa Cruz 33?

The Santa Cruz 33 was designed by Bill Lee, first built in 1978.