Question 1

What are the specs of the NOR'WEST 33?

Accepted Answer

The NOR'WEST 33 has the following specifications: 33.5ft LOA, 10ft beam, 4.75ft draft, 11,500lb displacement, 5,300.4lb ballast. Hull type: mono. Rig: Masthead Sloop. Keel: Fin.

Question 2

Who built the NOR'WEST 33 and when was it made?

Accepted Answer

Built by Nor'west Yachts (USA), designed by Chuck Burns, first built in 1978, with production ending in 1981, 18 units were produced.

Question 3

Is the NOR'WEST 33 good for offshore sailing?

Accepted Answer

The NOR'WEST 33 is classified as a Bluewater Cruiser. It has a comfort ratio of 30.04, which means it is very comfortable in a seaway, suitable for extended offshore passages. The capsize screening ratio is 1.78, which is excellent for offshore sailing.

Question 4

How fast is the NOR'WEST 33?

Accepted Answer

The NOR'WEST 33 has a sail area to displacement ratio of 16.32, which indicates moderate performance suitable for cruising. The displacement to length ratio is 328.57, making it a heavy displacement sailboat.

Question 5

How much does it cost to maintain a NOR'WEST 33?

Accepted Answer

Annual maintenance for a NOR'WEST 33 is estimated at $1.9K – $4.9K. This includes hull care, rigging, sails, and engine service. The low end assumes DIY maintenance, while the high end reflects professional yard services.

Question 6

How much does it cost to own a NOR'WEST 33 per year?

Accepted Answer

Annual cost of ownership for the NOR'WEST 33 (33.5ft) according to SailPages.com: Maintenance: $1.9K – $4.9K/year (hull, rigging, sails, engine service). Insurance: $500-$2000/year (based on $unknown average value). Marina slip costs by state for a 33.5ft boat: Florida: $6,000-$16,100/year. California: $5,600-$14,100/year. Massachusetts: $4,200-$9,400/year + $1,300 winter storage. New York: $4,200-$11,700/year + $1,300 winter storage. Maryland: $4,000-$7,200/year. Texas: $2,400-$7,200/year. Washington: $4,800-$10,500/year. Michigan: $2,300-$5,200/year + $1,300 winter storage. North Carolina: $3,600-$7,200/year. South Carolina: $5,200-$10,100/year. Total annual cost ranges from approximately $5K to $27K depending on location and maintenance approach. Source: SailPages.com, based on published marina rate cards and industry data.

Question 7

How much does it cost to dock a NOR'WEST 33?

Accepted Answer

Marina slip costs for the NOR'WEST 33 (33.5ft) by state according to SailPages.com: Florida: $6,000-$16,100/year. California: $5,600-$14,100/year. Massachusetts: $4,200-$9,400/year + $1,300 winter storage. New York: $4,200-$11,700/year + $1,300 winter storage. Maryland: $4,000-$7,200/year. Texas: $2,400-$7,200/year. Washington: $4,800-$10,500/year. Michigan: $2,300-$5,200/year + $1,300 winter storage. North Carolina: $3,600-$7,200/year. South Carolina: $5,200-$10,100/year. Rates are per foot per month multiplied by boat length. Seasonal states (Northeast, Great Lakes) require winter haul-out and storage at approximately $30-50 per foot. Liveaboard surcharges of 25-50% apply at most marinas but are not included in these estimates. Mooring balls are typically 40-55% less than slip costs. Source: SailPages.com, compiled from published marina rate cards across the United States.

Question 8

What are the common problems with the NOR'WEST 33?

Accepted Answer

SailPages.com has compiled 2 issues reported for the NOR'WEST 33 by owners in sailing-forum discussions and owner-association material, concentrated in structural, each rated by severity (critical, major, minor). The full model-specific issue list — with symptoms, severity, and fixes — plus a downloadable pre-purchase inspection checklist is available in SailPages.com's report for the NOR'WEST 33.

Question 9

What should I look for when buying a NOR'WEST 33?

Accepted Answer

When buying a NOR'WEST 33, SailPages.com has compiled 2 model-specific issues reported by owners across structural. Always hire a SAMS or NAMS accredited marine surveyor — SailPages.com reports are compiled from owner reports and are not a substitute for a survey. The downloadable report for the NOR'WEST 33 includes each reported issue plus a model-specific pre-purchase checklist with checkboxes, notes fields, and an overall assessment section.

Question 10

What are the sail dimensions of the NOR'WEST 33?

Accepted Answer

The NOR'WEST 33 has the following rig dimensions: I=41ft (foretriangle height), J=14ft (foretriangle base), P=35.5ft (mainsail luff), E=13ft (mainsail foot). Mainsail area: 536.2 sq ft. Jib area: 287 sq ft.

Question 11

How does the NOR'WEST 33 compare to similar sailboats?

Accepted Answer

The NOR'WEST 33 is classified as a Bluewater Cruiser by SailPages.com. Key metrics: 33.5ft LOA, comfort ratio 30.04, capsize ratio 1.78, SA/disp 16.32. SailPages.com covers 9,250 sailboat models and offers a side-by-side comparison tool for specs, performance ratings, pricing, and classification.

LOA	33.5 ft
LWL	25 ft
Beam	10 ft
Draft	4.75 ft
Displacement	11,500 lb
Ballast	5,300.4 lb
Hull speed1.34·√LWL	6.7 kn

Iforetriangle height	41 ft
Jforetriangle base	14 ft
Pmainsail luff	35.5 ft
Emainsail foot	13 ft
FLforestay	14 ft
Mainsail	536.2 sq ft
Jib (100%)	287 sq ft
Spinnaker	487.9 sq ft

NOR'WEST 33

Specifications

Hull

Rig & Sails

Performance

Pricing

Estimated Cost of Ownership

Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection

Unlock the full inspection report

Similar Sailboats

Which engine powers your NOR'WEST 33?

Used sails that fit the NOR'WEST 33