The Elizabethan 33 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Elizabethan 33, a long-keeled heavy displacement sloop, was designed by David Thomas and built in the UK by Peter Webster Ltd.

An Elizabethan 33

Published Specification for the Elizabethan 33

Underwater Profile: Long keel

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 33'0" (10.1m)

Waterline Length: 25'0" (7.6m)

Beam: 9'4" (2.8m)

Draft: 4'7" (1.4m)

Rig Type: Masthead sloop*

Displacement: 12,320lb (5,588kg)

Designer: David Thomas

Builder: Peter Webster Ltd (UK)

Year First Built: 1973

* Also available as a ketch

Published Design Ratios for the Elizabethan 33

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: Not published

Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 42.4

Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 352

Under 100: Ultralight
100 to 200: Light
200 to 275: Moderate
275 to 350: Heavy
Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 35.5

Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.6

Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Elizabethan 33

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1. In the absence of any Sail Area/Displacement Ratio we are unable to make an assessment of this element of the Elizabethan 33's performance.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 42.4 means that the Elizabethan 33 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 352, tells us the Elizabethan 33 creeps into the ultra-heavy displacement category. Load her up as much as you like and her performance will be hardly affected, not that it was ever startling. Few if any sailboats are built to this displacement category these days - but they remain popular with some long-distance sailors.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 35.5 suggests that crew comfort of an Elizabethan 33 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a moderate bluewater cruising boat - a predictable and acceptable motion for most seasoned sailors.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.6 indicates that an Elizabethan 33 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.