CHARGER 33
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 32.97 ft |
| LWL | 26.7 ft |
| Beam | 11.25 ft |
| Draft | 6.07 ft |
| Displacement | 8,377 lb |
| Ballast | 3,704.3 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.9 kn |
About the CHARGER 33
IOR 3/4 ton. We understand there were an additional three "cruising" models built with a shorter mast but same fore triangle (pictured). One of these was sailed by South African yachtsman Geoff Hilton-Barber, a blind sailor who was the first to sail an ocean solo. He sailed solo from South Africa to Australia. Thank you to Arpad Nagy for additional info and the photo.
Designed by Angelo Lavranos and built by John Robertson (SA), the Charger 33 is a rare vessel with only 12 hulls constructed in 1982. Its fractional sloop rig and 8377.0 lb displacement reflect a performance-oriented design from a specialized South African builder.
- Best for:
- This boat suits experienced coastal cruisers and short-handed sailors who prioritize performance and are willing to manage the maintenance demands of a rare, older fiberglass hull.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low capsize ratio of 2.22 and a comfort ratio of 18.03, the boat is structurally capable of offshore passages, but critical structural issues regarding deck cores and keel integrity must be resolved before bluewater use.
- Comparables:
- Comparable to other 1980s performance cruisers like the O'Day 322 or Catalina 320, though the Charger 33 distinguishes itself with a narrower 26.7 ft LWL and higher SA/D ratio of 20.04.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(3 certificates)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 5.6 | 6.4 | 6.7 | 6.8 | 6.9 | 6.9 | 7.0 |
| 60° | 5.9 | 6.6 | 6.8 | 7.0 | 7.1 | 7.1 | 7.2 |
| 75° | 6.2 | 6.7 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.4 | 7.5 | 7.6 |
| 90° | 6.2 | 6.7 | 7.1 | 7.4 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 8.1 |
| 110° | 5.7 | 6.6 | 7.1 | 7.5 | 7.8 | 8.1 | 8.4 |
| 120° | 5.5 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 7.4 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 8.8 |
| 135° | 4.9 | 6.0 | 6.7 | 7.1 | 7.5 | 8.0 | 8.9 |
| 150° | 4.1 | 5.2 | 6.1 | 6.8 | 7.1 | 7.5 | 8.3 |
| Beat VMG | 3.7 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Run VMG | 3.6 | 4.5 | 5.3 | 6.0 | 6.6 | 7.0 | 7.7 |
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the CHARGER 33 yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 32.97ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
10 reported issues across 7 systems for the CHARGER 33, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a CHARGER 33? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 10 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
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Used sails that fit the CHARGER 33
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