Sturdy Construction Keeps This Sailboat in Good Stead

Cape Dory is perhaps best known for the Cape Dory Typhoon, a salty little 18½-foot sloop designed by Carl Alberg and built between 1967 and 1986. The Typhoon became the standard for nearly all future Cape Dory boats. They were traditional, sturdy, conservative designs that were well mannered under most conditions encountered, and the late Alberg designed almost all of them.

The Cape Dory 33 is no exception. Introduced in 1980, it was likely intended to fill the need of loyalists who owned the popular Cape Dory 30 and wanted to move up to a slightly larger boat, yet didn't want the size or expense of the builder's 36-foot model. Cape Dory made 124 33s between 1980 and 1985. In 1986, slight modifications to the cockpit and interior resulted in the Cape Dory 330 model. An additional 20 or so of this model were built between 1986 and 1989. Cape Dory ceased regular production in 1991.

As mentioned above, the Cape Dory 33 is sturdily constructed. The hull is built of a solid laminate of plastic resin and fiberglass cloth. The laminate thickness is greater than average for production sailboat in this size range. Fiberglass-encapsulated structural members, full and partial transverse bulkheads and molded fiberglass liners support the hull. Attachments and secondary bonding are generally sound.

Decks are constructed of a composite of fiberglass, resin and balsa wood core. Moisture saturation of the core material and delamination is not uncommon, particularly along the side decks in the area of the chain plates and rigging attachments. Cape Dory used a mild steel bracket for the attachment of the lower shroud chain plates, which is subject to considerable corrosion and wasting if leaks persist where chain plates pass through the deck. The installation of fiberglass hull liners makes inspection difficult, and preventing serious problems requires careful attention. As these boats age, water saturation and delamination of the rudders and moderate osmotic blistering are common, too.

Depending on the year, the Cape Dory 33 was powered by a 23 hp Volvo or 24 hp Universal marine diesel engine. Either is close enough to my 2 hp per 1,000 pounds of displacement rule of thumb to provide adequate performance under power. Parts and service are readily available for both; properly serviced and maintained, either should provide several thousand hours of dependable operation.

The interior of the Cape Dory 33 has only one modification from what I call a "Plan - A" standard interior. It involves the standard V-berth configuration. Instead, the Cape Dory 33 has been designed with a single berth resembling an "L." The berth may be extended and converted to a double with some effort, but I would prefer the standard double V configuration. The forward berth is followed by a port-side head and starboard lockers. The main salon is next, with opposing settees, followed by a starboard-side navigation station and quarter berth and a port-side galley. The interior of the 330 model has a true V-berth cabin forward, followed by a starboard-side head with shower. Port and starboard settees in the main salon are pushed a little farther outboard for a more open feel, with a large galley that spans the aft portion of the cabin.

With a waterline length of 24 feet, 6 inches, and displacement of 13,300 pounds, the Cape Dory 33 has a displacement-length ratio (D/L) that works out to be a hefty 404. The sail-area displacement ratio (SA/D), on the other hand, is a conservative 15.6. Putting this in perspective, the respective numbers for a Westsail 32 are 419 D/L and 14.6 SA/D. A modern, conservative production boat in this size range would likely have a D/R in the range of 230 to 260 and a SA/D in the range of 17 to 18.

The Cape Cory 33 was offered with either a sloop or a cutter rig. While the cutter has some advantages in heavy weather and offshore conditions, the sloop, with a large genoa, is the better choice for areas like the Chesapeake. No one should buy a Cape Dory 33 looking for flashy speed. When the wind lightens up, it is usually time to bring out the iron genoa. In moderate to heavy air, the Cape Dory 33 shows its true heritage. It is initially a little tender but firms up nicely at about 15 degrees angle of heel. With a full keel and attached rudder, it tracks well both on and off the wind. When weather helm gets a little heavy, it's time to shorten sail and, as with any boat with substantial overhangs, critical to keep excessive weights out of the ends for best performance.

Including the 330 model, fewer than 150 33s were built, so the used market at any given time is a little slim. And that's not likely to change. Robinhood Marine in Georgetown, Maine, is using the Cape Dory molds for 36-foot, 40-foot and 45-foot sailboats – and the 33-foot powerboat, but not the 33-foot sailboat.

If you're sold on conservative design and solid construction, and your cruising plans include coastal and offshore passages exposed to all conditions, this boat's stock rises considerably. All Cape Dorys have a loyal following, and they tend to retain their value quite well.

Jack Hornor, NA is the principal surveyor and senior designer for the Annapolis-based Marine Survey & Design Co. Hornor writes for BoatU.S. Magazine and other marine publications.

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