The Elizabethan 33 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

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

Read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Elizabethan 33

Download this eBook to make sure you buy wisely!

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.