1984 Ericson 38 vs 1977 Cal 33 — Comparison
1984 Ericson 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1984 Ericson 38 | 1977 Cal 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Ericson | Cal |
| Year | 1984–1990 | 1977–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Bruce King / Ron Holland | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 30 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1984 Ericson 38 and 1977 Cal 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1984 Ericson 38 is a 1980s design by Ericson from USA, while the 1977 Cal 33 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The 1984 Ericson 38 was penned by Bruce King / Ron Holland. The 1977 Cal 33 was designed by Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the 1984 Ericson 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.66m, compared to the 1977 Cal 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1984 Ericson 38 is 1.52m longer than the 1977 Cal 33. The 1984 Ericson 38 displaces approximately 43% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1984 Ericson 38 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.93 and 60.0 m² of sail area. The 1977 Cal 33, with an SA/D of 14.53 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1984 Ericson 38 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1984 Ericson 38 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 1977 Cal 33 has a comfort ratio of 22.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1984 Ericson 38 and 41.7% for the 1977 Cal 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1984 Ericson 38 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 1977 Cal 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Cal 33 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 1984 Ericson 38 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1984 Ericson 38 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1984 Ericson 38 · 1977 Cal 33