HOBIE 33
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 33 ft |
| LWL | 30.5 ft |
| Beam | 8 ft |
| Draft | 5.5 ft/ 1.83 ft min |
| Displacement | 4,000 lb |
| Ballast | 1,902.6 lb |
| Material | 33’ 1”10.1 m |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 7.4 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 33.83 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 12.4 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 35.13 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 12.5 ft |
| FLforestay | 12.4 ft |
| Mainsail | 446.9 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 209.8 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 373.8 sq ft |
Accommodation
| Cabins | 1 |
| Berths | 4 |
| Heads | 1 |
| CE category | N/A€ |
About the HOBIE 33
The HOBIE 33 was available with a drop or fixed keel. Designed to be towed on a US street legal trailer.
Designed by Hobie Alter & Phil Edwards and built by Hobie from 1982–1987, the Hobie 33 is a lightweight fractional sloop with 187 hulls produced. Its low displacement of 4000.0 lb and high SA/D ratio of 27.25 define it as a performance-oriented coastal cruiser rather than a heavy displacement bluewater vessel.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and weekend racers who prioritize speed and ease of handling over heavy offshore comfort. It is well-suited for single-handers or couples due to its manageable size and fractional rig, provided they are diligent about maintenance.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a capsize ratio of 2.02 and displacement of 4000.0 lb, the Hobie 33 is generally considered suitable for protected coastal waters and short offshore passages rather than extended bluewater voyaging.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Cal 33 and O'Day 32, which share similar lengths and coastal cruising roles. However, the Hobie 33 distinguishes itself with significantly lighter displacement and a more performance-focused hull form compared to these heavier contemporaries.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(6 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° | 5.4 | 6.4 | 6.9 | 7.1 | 7.2 | 7.3 | 7.4 |
| 60° | 5.7 | 6.7 | 7.1 | 7.4 | 7.5 | 7.6 | 7.7 |
| 75° | 6.0 | 6.8 | 7.3 | 7.7 | 8.0 | 8.2 | 8.4 |
| 90° | 5.8 | 6.8 | 7.3 | 7.8 | 8.3 | 8.7 | 9.2 |
| 110° | 5.7 | 6.9 | 7.6 | 8.1 | 8.5 | 8.9 | 9.7 |
| 120° | 5.6 | 6.8 | 7.5 | 8.3 | 8.9 | 9.5 | 10.5 |
| 135° | 5.0 | 6.3 | 7.1 | 7.8 | 8.6 | 9.6 | 11.7 |
| 150° | 4.2 | 5.3 | 6.3 | 7.2 | 7.8 | 8.5 | 10.4 |
| Beat VMG | 3.5 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Run VMG | 3.6 | 4.6 | 5.5 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 7.4 | 9.0 |
Images
Estimated Value
Low ConfidenceAsking price by model year
11 listings · boat years 1982–1986 · median $18,000
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 33ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Featured YouTube Videos
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
28 reported issues across 9 systems for the HOBIE 33, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a HOBIE 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 28 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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