WESTERLY 33
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 33.27 ft |
| LWL | 28.48 ft |
| Beam | 11.16 ft |
| Draft | 5.45 ft |
| Displacement | 14,341 lb |
| Ballast | 6,047.6 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 7.2 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 41.5 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 14 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 35.83 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 13 ft |
About the WESTERLY 33
The WESTERLY 33 was initially offered with an aft or center cockpit. In 1979 Westerly began calling the aft cockpit version the DISCUS 33 and only sold the WESTERLY 33 with the center cockpit. Sold with fin or bilge keels, sloop or ketch rig. The SA listed is for the main and #1 jib on the sloop rig. Draft listed is for the fin keel. Twin Keel draft: 1.32m / 4.33 ft Ketch rig mast height: Main 38.5 ft; mizzen 24.75 ft
Designed by Laurent Giles and built by Westerly Yachts Ltd. (UK) between 1977–1985, the Westerly 33 is a robust, heavy-displacement cruiser with 235 hulls produced. Its design emphasizes stability and comfort, reflected in a D/L ratio of 277.15 and a Comfort ratio of 29.81, making it a classic example of British yachtbuilding from the late 1970s and early 1980s.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for coastal cruisers and those seeking a stable, comfortable platform for weekend trips or moderate offshore passages, particularly owners who value the proven Laurent Giles hull form and are prepared for ongoing maintenance of aging systems.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 14341.0 lb, a Capsize ratio of 1.84, and a proven Laurent Giles hull form, the Westerly 33 is well-regarded for bluewater cruising, though its age and specific structural vulnerabilities require diligent maintenance to ensure offshore safety.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Hallberg-Rassy 34 and the Hallberg-Rassy 32, which share similar heavy displacement, fin-keel characteristics, and a focus on seaworthiness over pure speed, as well as the earlier Westerly Sovereign 32, which shares the same designer and builder lineage.
Direct variant of the WESTERLY 33
Near-identical models — same hull, builder and designer, re-badged or lightly changed. Specs and owner-reported issues are typically shared across the group, so a sister model's page may carry detail this one doesn't.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(1 certificate)
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 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 2.9 | 4.0 | 4.9 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 6.3 | 6.5 | 6.7 | 6.6 |
| 60° | 3.1 | 4.3 | 5.2 | 5.8 | 6.2 | 6.5 | 6.7 | 6.9 | 6.9 |
| 75° | 3.3 | 4.5 | 5.4 | 6.1 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.3 |
| 90° | 3.3 | 4.6 | 5.7 | 6.4 | 6.8 | 7.1 | 7.2 | 7.4 | 7.6 |
| 110° | 3.4 | 4.7 | 5.8 | 6.5 | 6.9 | 7.2 | 7.4 | 7.8 | 8.1 |
| 120° | 3.3 | 4.5 | 5.5 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 7.1 | 7.4 | 7.8 | 8.3 |
| 135° | 2.8 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.9 | 6.5 | 6.9 | 7.2 | 7.7 | 8.1 |
| 150° | 2.3 | 3.4 | 4.4 | 5.1 | 5.8 | 6.3 | 6.7 | 7.2 | 7.6 |
| Beat VMG | 1.8 | 2.6 | 3.2 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.4 |
| Run VMG | 2.0 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.9 | 6.4 | 6.9 |
Estimated Value
Medium ConfidenceAsking price by model year
59 listings · boat years 1976–2026 · median $25,400
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 33.27ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Featured YouTube Videos
Articles & Reviews
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
2 reported issues across 1 systems for the WESTERLY 33, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a WESTERLY 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 2 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
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your WESTERLY 33?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Brands sometimes mentioned for this model: Yanmar, Bukh, Perkins, Beta Marine — is it one of these?
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Used sails that fit the WESTERLY 33
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…