Soverel 33 (1968) Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Soverel 33 (1968) emerged from Soverel Marine's North Palm Beach, Florida, facility during the company's formative years. Designed by Bill Soverel himself, a distinguished US Navy pilot and successful sailboat racer, the boat was a testament to his vision of producing yachts that excelled on the racecourse while upholding a standard of quality craftsmanship. Soverel Marine was known for offering semi-customization on many of its early designs, allowing buyers flexibility in aspects like hull layup, interior configurations, and rigging. This approach suggests that while the 1968 Soverel 33 was an early standard model, individual vessels might have featured bespoke elements tailored to their original owners. It is important to distinguish this initial Soverel 33 from the later, high-performance racing yacht of the same name introduced in 1983, which was primarily designed by Bill's son, Mark Soverel. Information regarding significant variations within the 1968-1970 production run of Bill Soverel's original design is not readily available.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Soverel 33 (1968) was built with a solid fiberglass hull and features a cutter rig. Its design incorporates a keel/centerboard configuration, allowing for a variable draft from 3.5 feet with the board up, ideal for shallow waters and marina access, to 6.0 feet with the board fully extended, enhancing upwind performance.

Interpreting its key specifications reveals much about its intended performance. With a displacement of 11,000 pounds and a waterline length of 30.0 feet, the Soverel 33 (1968) boasts a Displacement to Length (D/L) ratio of approximately 181.85. This indicates a relatively light-displacement vessel for its size, aligning with Soverel Marine's philosophy of building efficient, performance-oriented hull forms. Its calculated total sail area of 520.55 square feet yields a Sail Area to Displacement (SA/D) ratio of approximately 16.83. This ratio suggests good all-around performance, capable of moving well in moderate breezes without being overly sensitive in heavier conditions. While not indicative of a pure light-air specialist, it points to a lively and responsive boat for its era. Due to the absence of specific ballast data for the 1968 model, a Ballast to Displacement ratio cannot be accurately provided to comment on its inherent stiffness and stability. The theoretical hull speed for the Soverel 33 (1968) is calculated at 7.34 knots.

Accommodations and Layout

Detailed information regarding the standard interior layout and accommodations of the 1968 Soverel 33 is scarce in available public records. While Soverel Marine was known for offering semi-customization, specific interior arrangements for this particular model are not widely documented. Given its designation as a performance-oriented cruiser from the late 1960s, it would likely have featured a functional but perhaps not overly elaborate interior, focusing on utility and maximizing space within its 9.33-foot beam. Typical arrangements for boats of this size and era often included a V-berth forward, a head compartment, a salon area that might convert for additional sleeping, and a small galley, though the specifics for the Soverel 33 (1968) remain largely unconfirmed through grounded search.