Design and Construction
The Offshore 33 carries a published displacement of 10,482 pounds with 2,500 pounds of iron ballast, less than half the ballast of comparable ketches anchor. That light displacement gives a displacement/length ratio of 254 and a sail area/displacement ratio of 17.4 anchor. The comfort ratio is a low 26 and the capsize number lands very close to the maximum advisable value of 2 anchor. Cheoy Lee built the hull in solid fiberglass with a solid fiberglass deck.
Rig and Handling
The boat wears a split ketch rig with a full keel and moderate draft, the mizzen larger than the norm in early CCA yawls anchor. That mizzen intrudes a great deal more into the cockpit than a yawl's would. The lighter displacement makes for a lively boat, and she delivers better performance broad reaching and running in all conditions, but especially in a breeze anchor. Upwind she is good in very light air, yet as wind builds the light displacement and very low ballast will not let her carry sail, and performance falls off sharply anchor.
Known Issues
The very low ballast weight and ballast/displacement ratio mean she cannot carry sail as wind rises, so diminished performance in stronger breeze is inherent to the design anchor. The capsize value near 2.0 and comfort ratio of 26 are consequences of the same light-displacement choice.
The Verdict
The Offshore 33 is a Hong Kong–built ketch whose light displacement and modest iron ballast make her quick downwind and acceptable upwind in light air, but limited once the breeze hardens. Best suited to sheltered or light-air cruising.
Pros
- Sporty displacement/length and sail area/displacement ratios for a full-keel ketch
- Strong broad-reach and running performance, especially in a breeze
- Good light-air upwind behavior
- Traditional ketch styling with larger mizzen
Cons
- Very low ballast limits sail-carrying in stronger wind
- Comfort ratio of 26 and capsize number near 2.0 constrain margin
- Mizzen intrudes heavily into cockpit space
