The Wauquiez Gladiateur 33 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Wauquiez Gladiateur 33, a masthead sloop, was designed by Donald Pye (of Holman & Pye) and built in France by Henri Wauquiez.

Wauqiuez Gladiateur 33 'Kesh''Kesh', a Wauqiuez Gladiateur 33

Published Specification for the Wauquiez Gladiateur 33

Underwater Profile: Fin keel & Skeg-Hung Rudder;

Hull Material: GRP;

Length Overall: 32'10" / 10.0m;

Waterline Length: 27'3" / 8.3m;

Beam: 11'0" / 3.3m;

Draft: 6'0" / 1.8m;

Rig Type: Masthead sloop;

Displacement: 11,000lb / 4,990kg;

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 17;

Displacement/Length Ratio: 243;

Designer: Donald Pye (Holman & Pye);

Builder: Henri Wauquiez (France);

Year First Built: 1977;

Year Last Built: 1986; 

Number Built: 299;


Published Design Ratios for the Wauquiez Gladiateur 33

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 16.8

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 43.7

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 243

4. Comfort Ratio: 24.1

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 2.0

read more about these all-revealing numbers...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Wauquiez Gladiateur 33

1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 16.8 suggests that, in the right conditions, the Wauquiez Gladiateur 33 will approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 43.7 means that the Wauquiez Gladiateur 33 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 243, tells us the Wauquiez Gladiateur 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 24.1 suggests that crew comfort of a Wauquiez Gladiateur 33 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability, which is not encouraging news for anyone prone to seasickness. 

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 2.0 indicates that a Wauquiez Gladiateur 33 would not be the wisest choice of sailboat for ocean passage-making owing to the lower resistance to capsize in strong winds and heavy seas that is associated with similar sailboats that have a CSF of 2.0 and above.


Cruisers' Questions about this Sailboat...

How does the Wauquiez Gladiateur 33 perform under sail?

The Wauquiez Gladiateur 33 is a moderate displacement cruiser that can achieve a hull speed of 7.8 knots. It is easy to handle and maneuver with a balanced helm and good visibility. It can point high and tack quickly, and it can also run fast and steady downwind. It is seaworthy and reliable, and it can handle rough weather with confidence .

How comfortable and spacious is the Wauquiez Gladiateur 33 for living aboard?

The Wauquiez Gladiateur 33 has a spacious cockpit with wheel steering and an aft locker. It has a well-appointed interior with two cabins plus a salon, a galley, a head, and ample storage space. It can accommodate up to five people comfortably.

What are some of the Pros and Cons of the Wauquiez Gladiateur 33 compared to other similar sailboats?

Some of the Pros of the Wauquiez Gladiateur 33 are:

  • It is well-built and well-finished with high-quality materials and craftsmanship;
  • It is easy to handle and manoeuvre with a balanced helm and good visibility;
  • It is seaworthy and reliable in various weather conditions;
  • It is attractive and elegant with classic lines and teak accents.

Some of the downsides of the Wauquiez Gladiateur 33 are:

  • It is relatively heavy and slow compared to lighter and faster sailboats;
  • It is not very comfortable or spacious for long-distance cruising or living aboard;
  • It is relatively expensive and rare to find on the market;

What are some of the common upgrades and modifications that owners have made to the Wauquiez Gladiateur 33?

Some of the common upgrades and modifications that owners have made to the Wauquiez Gladiateur 33 are:

  • Replacing the original Volvo MD11C engine with a newer or more powerful one;
  • Installing solar panels, wind generators, or other alternative energy sources;
  • Adding or replacing electronics, instruments, or navigation equipment.
  • Replacing or upgrading the rigging, sails, or hardware;
  • Adding or improving ventilation, insulation, or heating systems.

What are some of the challenges or difficulties that owners have faced with the Wauquiez Gladiateur 33?

Some of the challenges or difficulties that owners have faced with the Wauquiez Gladiateur 33 are:

  • Finding spare parts, service, or support for the older or discontinued models;
  • Dealing with corrosion, leaks, or cracks in the hull, deck, or fittings;
  • Repairing or replacing the teak woodwork, which can be costly or time-consuming;
  • Coping with the limited space, comfort, or amenities for long-term living aboard.

How much does a Wauquiez Gladiateur 33 cost to buy?

The price of a Wauquiez Gladiateur 33 depends on various factors such as the year, condition, location, and equipment of the sailboat. According to some online listings, a Wauquiez Gladiateur 33 can cost anywhere from $25,000 to $50,000 USD. The average price is around $35,000 USD.

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


Other sailboats in the Wauquiez range include:

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