Spin Sheet Review

• Cape Dory is perhaps best known for the Cape Dory Typhoon, a salty little eighteen and a half foot sloop designed by Carl Alberg and built between 1967 and 1986. I mention this only because the Typhoon became the standard by which nearly all future Cape Dory boats were designed and constructed. All were traditional, sturdy, conservative designs that were well mannered under most conditions. Most were designed by the late Carl Alberg, following the design example of the Typhoon. The Cape Dory 33 is no exception. 
• Introduced in 1980, the Cape Dory 33 was most likely intended to fill the need of loyal owners of the very popular Cape Dory 30 wanting to move up to a slightly larger boat yet not wanting the size or expense of the company’s 36’ model. Between 1980 and 1985, 124 Cape Dory 33s were constructed. In 1986 there were slight modifications to the cockpit and interior that resulted in the Cape Dory 330 model. An additional 20 or so of this model were built between 1986 and 1989. Cape Dory ceased regular production in 1991. 
• Depending on the year, the CD 33 was either powered by a 23 Hp Volvo or a 24 Hp Universal marine diesel engine. Either is close enough to my 2 Hp per 1,000 lbs. of displacement rule of thumb to provide for adequate performance under power. Parts and service are readily available for either engine, and properly serviced and maintained, either should provide several thousand hours of dependable operation. 
• The CD 33 was offered with either a sloop or a cutter rig, and while the cutter has some advantages in heavy weather and offshore conditions, the sloop, with a large genoa, is the better choice for the Chesapeake. No one should buy a Cape Dory 33 looking for flashy speed, and when the wind lightens up, it’s usually time to bring out the iron genoa. The CD 33 shows her true heritage in moderate to heavy air. She is initially a little tender, but firms up nicely at about 15 degrees angle of heel. With a full keel and attached rudder she tracks well both on and off the wind. When weather helm gets a little heavy, it’s time to shorten sail,

How they are built

The Cape Dory 33 is sturdily constructed. The hull is built of a solid laminate of plastic resin and fiberglass cloth. The laminate thickness is greater than average for a production sailboat in this size range. The hull is supported by fiberglass encapsulated structural members, full and partial transverse bulkheads and molded fiberglass liners. Attachments and secondary bonding are generally sound. 

Accommodations

The interior of the Cape Dory 33 has only one modification from what I’ll call a"Plan - A" standard interior. That one modification involves the standard V-Berth configuration. That of the CD 33 has been designed as a single berth resembling an"L". The berth may be extended and converted to a double with some effort, but I would prefer to have the standard double"V" configuration. The forward berth is followed by a port side head and starboard lockers. The main saloon is next with opposing settees followed by a starboard side navigation station, and quarter berth, and to port is the U-shaped Sea galley. Centerline companionway steps lead to her cockpit as well as give access to her engine compartment.