The Scanmar 33 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Scanmar 33, a moderate displacement fractional cruising sloop, was designed by Rolf Magnusson and built in Sweden by the Börjesson Brothers.

The Scanmar 33 sailboatA Scanmar 33 Sailboat

Published Specification for the Scanmar 33

Underwater Profile: Fin keel & skeg-hung rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 33'2" (10.1m)

Waterline Length: 27'3" (8.3m)

Beam: 10'9" (3.3m)

Draft: 5'9" (1.8m)

Rig Type: Fractional sloop

Displacement: 10,140lb (4,599kg)

Ballast: 4,188lb (1,900kg)

Designer: Rolf Magnusson

Builder: Börjesson Brothers (Sweden)

Year First Built: 1980

Year Last Built: 1987

Number Built: 500


Published Design Ratios for the Scanmar 33

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 17.0

  • 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: 41.3

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

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 224

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

4. Comfort Ratio: 22.8

  • 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: 1.9

  • 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 Scanmar 33

1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 17.0 suggests that the Scanmar 33 will, in the right conditions, approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 41.3 means that the Scanmar 33 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 224, tells us the Scanmar 33 is a moderate displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Most of today's sailboats intended for offshore cruising fall into this displacement category.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 22.8 suggests that crew comfort of a Scanmar 33 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability, which is not the best of news for anyone prone to seasickness. 

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.9 indicates that a Scanmar 33 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0. 


The Scanmar 33: Key Features

The Scanmar 33 is a Swedish-built cruiser that has been sailing the seas since the early 1980s. The Scanmar 33 is a well-designed and well-built boat that can handle a variety of sailing conditions and destinations. Whether you want to cruise along the coast, explore distant islands or cross the ocean, the Scanmar 33 can take you there in style and safety.

The Scanmar 33 has a sleek and elegant hull that is made of fiberglass reinforced plastic. The boat has a fin keel and a spade rudder that give it good maneuverability and stability. The mast is keel-stepped, which means it is more secure and rigid than a deck-stepped mast. The boat has a slab reefing mainsail and a roller furling genoa that is easy to handle and adjust. The boat also has a spinnaker pole and a whisker pole for downwind sailing. The boat has an aft cockpit that is spacious and comfortable, with a folding table, a steering wheel and an instrument panel. The cockpit also has a large locker that can store sails, fenders, lines and other gear.

The Scanmar 33 has a roomy and cozy interior that can accommodate up to six people. The boat has two dedicated sleeping cabins: one in the bow and one in the stern. The bow cabin has a double berth, a hanging locker and a shelf. The stern cabin has two single berths that can be converted into a double berth, a hanging locker and a shelf. The boat also has two single berths in the saloon, which can be used as seats or as extra sleeping space. The boat has one head that is located on the port side of the saloon. The head has a marine toilet, a sink and a shower. The boat has a galley that is located on the starboard side of the saloon. The galley has a two-burner stove with an oven, a refrigerator, a sink and plenty of storage space. The boat has a navigation station that is located in the port side of the saloon, next to the head. The navigation station has a chart table, an electrical panel, a VHF radio and other instruments.

The Scanmar 33 is a sailboat that has many 'fors' and few 'againsts'. Some of the 'fors' are:

  • It is a well-built and well-maintained boat that can last for many years.
  • It is a comfortable and spacious boat that can accommodate up to six people.
  • It is a versatile boat that can sail in different waters and climates.
  • It is a fast and agile boat that can perform well in light winds as well as in strong winds.
  • It is an easy and fun boat to sail, with simple and reliable systems.

The above text was drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; we believe it to be accurate to the best of our knowledge.


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