Hunter 33 vs 1977 Cal 33 — Comparison
Hunter 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 33 | 1977 Cal 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Cal |
| Year | 1988–1994 | 1977–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Hunter Design Team | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 33 and 1977 Cal 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 33 is a 1980s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1977 Cal 33 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The Hunter 33 was penned by Hunter Design Team. The 1977 Cal 33 was designed by Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the Hunter 33 measures 10.06m (33.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 1977 Cal 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1977 Cal 33 displaces approximately 10% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 33 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.23 and 48.0 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 Hunter 33 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 33 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1977 Cal 33 has a comfort ratio of 22.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 38.1% for the Hunter 33 and 41.7% for the 1977 Cal 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 33 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L of water capacity and 76L 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 Hunter 33 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Hunter 33 · 1977 Cal 33