KRAKEN 33

About the KRAKEN 33

As a very general rule, the Crowther trimaran designs of this period known as Kraken's, were fixed beam, more racing oriented craft than the Buccaneers, which were designed with aluminum cross beams and intended to be 'de-mountable'. Randy Browning, creator of this site, was a former owner of a KRAKEN 33. He said, "I can only comment that it is a truly fine yacht, with few vices and way ahead of its time." Shown here is the KRAKEN 33 Mk IV.

The Kraken 33 is a lightweight, performance-oriented masthead sloop designed by Lock Crowther and John Hitch, with production records indicating a single build year of 1968. With a displacement of 4000.0 lb and a beam of 23.0 ft, this vessel represents a distinct era of racing-focused design, though the exact total hull count remains unverified in available data.

Best for:

This boat is best suited for experienced coastal cruisers and club racers who prioritize speed and handling over heavy-weather comfort, given its low displacement and high sail area-to-displacement ratio of 31.33.

Bluewater capability:

With a capsize ratio of 5.8 and a comfort ratio of 3.08, the Kraken 33 is not ideally suited for extended bluewater passages, as its light displacement and narrow beam suggest it may be tender and uncomfortable in heavy offshore conditions.

Comparables:

Comparable vessels include other late-1960s lightweight racers like the O'Day 30 or Pearson 303, which share similar masthead sloop configurations and performance-focused hull forms, though the Kraken's specific 33.0 ft LOA and 30.0 ft LWL dimensions distinguish its planing potential.