Design and Construction
The Amigo 33 is built with a long keel, and that keel is made of iron, giving her a ballast ratio of 45 percent against a documented displacement class that yields a DL-ratio of 301 and an immersion rate of about 133 kg per centimetre of sinkage anchor. The hull and deck are solid fibreglass, and the wetted surface measures roughly 22 square metres. Her 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. A notable production wrinkle is that the boat was also offered as a home-completed kit, which means the quality of finish and structural detailing can vary from one example to the next.
Rig and Handling
She carries a masthead sloop rig, with a working sail area of 33.0 square metres for the mainsail and jib combined anchor. The standing and running specifications are well documented: jib and genoa sheets are estimated at 9.0 metres with 10 mm diameter, the mainsheet runs 22.4 metres at 10 mm, and spinnaker sheets are 19.7 metres at the same diameter. With a draft of just 1.40 to 1.50 metres dependent on load, the Amigo 33 can tuck into shallow marinas that deeper fin-keel contemporaries cannot reach. The long-keel form and attached rudder favour predictable tracking over quick turning, and the Motion Comfort Ratio of 26.7 to 28.7 suggests a settled motion in a seaway rather than a lively, racing-derived hull.
Power and Performance
Two diesel options appear in the record. The boat may be equipped with an inboard Volvo Penta MD7 at 13 hp with shaft drive, giving a calculated maximum speed of about 4.3 knots, or the later Volvo Penta 2002 at 21 hp, also shaft-driven, raising speed to 7.0 knots. The fuel tank is stainless steel with a 50-litre capacity. The Relative Speed Performance index of 18 and the hull-speed ceiling of 6.5 knots frame her as a steady cruiser, not a sprint-capable design.
Accommodations
Below, the Amigo 33 is fitted with 4 to 5 berths and a galley, plus a toilet facility, and the interior is finished in mahogany like many of her era. Fresh water capacity is 65 litres. The layout supports weekend and coastal cruising for a small crew, and the mahogany joinery gives a period-correct warmth that buyers of Scandinavian boats often expect.
Known Issues
The only documented construction caveat is the home-completed route: because examples were also released for owner completion, the quality of each hull may differ. A buyer or reviewer should therefore assess individual hulls for consistency of 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, with a documented scarcity that appeals to those seeking a low-production Scandinavian design. Her shallow draft, solid fibreglass construction, and two credible Volvo Penta diesel options make her a practical coastal vessel, while the home-completion history demands careful per-hull evaluation.
Pros
- Long keel with shallow 1.40–1.50 m draft for easy marina access
- Solid fibreglass hull and deck with iron long keel
- Choice of Volvo Penta MD7 or 2002 diesel, both shaft drive
- Mahogany interior with 4–5 berths, galley, and toilet
Cons
- Fewer than 100 built and some sold as home-completed kits, so build quality varies
- Modest performance ceiling (hull speed 6.5 knots, RSP 18)
