Design and Construction
The Amigo 33 has a long iron keel and a ballast ratio of 45 percent. Her documented displacement class produces a DL-ratio of 301 and an immersion rate of about 133 kg per centimetre of sinkage. The hull and deck are solid fibreglass, and the wetted surface is roughly 22 square metres.
A length-to-beam ratio of 3.22 and a capsize screening value of 1.76 describe a moderately proportioned coastal cruiser. The theoretical hull speed is 6.5 knots.
The boat was also offered as a kit for home completion. As a result, the finish and structural detailing can vary from one example to another.
Rig and Handling
The Amigo 33 carries a masthead sloop rig, with a combined working sail area of 33.0 square metres for the mainsail and jib. The running-rigging specifications are well documented: jib and genoa sheets are estimated at 9.0 metres long and 10 mm in diameter; the mainsheet is 22.4 metres at 10 mm; and the spinnaker sheets are 19.7 metres at the same diameter.
Depending on load, draft ranges from 1.40 to 1.50 metres. That allows the Amigo 33 to enter shallow marinas that deeper-draft, fin-keel contemporaries can’t reach. Her long keel and attached rudder favour predictable tracking over quick turning. A Motion Comfort Ratio of 26.7 to 28.7 suggests a settled motion in a seaway rather than the livelier behaviour of a racing-derived hull.
Engine and Performance
Two diesel engines appear in the record. One option is a shaft-driven Volvo Penta MD7 rated at 13 hp, with a calculated maximum speed of about 4.3 knots. The later option is a shaft-driven Volvo Penta 2002 rated at 21 hp, raising speed to 7.0 knots.
The stainless-steel fuel tank holds 50 litres. With a Relative Speed Performance index of 18 and a theoretical hull speed of 6.5 knots, the Amigo 33 is best understood as a steady cruiser rather than a design built for sprinting.
Accommodation
Below deck, the Amigo 33 provides 4 to 5 berths, a galley, and a toilet facility. Fresh-water capacity is 65 litres. The layout suits weekend and coastal cruising with a small crew.
As on many Scandinavian boats of her era, the interior is finished in mahogany. The joinery gives the cabin the period warmth that buyers of these boats often expect.
Known Issues
The only documented construction caveat concerns the home-completion route. Because some examples were released for owners to complete, quality may differ from boat to boat. Buyers or reviewers should assess each hull’s fibreglass work and systems installation rather than assume yard-standard uniformity.
The Verdict
The Amigo 33 is a modest, traditional long-keel cruiser from a small Swedish builder. Her low production count gives her some appeal for sailors seeking a scarce Scandinavian design. Shallow draft, solid fibreglass construction, and two credible Volvo Penta diesel options make her a practical coastal boat, while her history of home completion calls for careful evaluation of each example.
Pros
- Long keel and shallow 1.40–1.50 m draft for access to shallow marinas
- Solid fibreglass hull and deck, with an iron long keel
- Choice of shaft-driven Volvo Penta MD7 or 2002 diesel
- Mahogany interior with 4–5 berths, a galley, and a toilet
Cons
- Fewer than 100 built, with some sold as home-completed kits, so build quality varies
- Modest performance ceiling, with a hull speed of 6.5 knots and an RSP of 18
