Com-Pac 33 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

While several prominent marine databases incorrectly cite the model's production start date as 1999, Coast Guard registration records and builder archives confirm that the Com-Pac 33 was built between 1989 and 1992. It is an exceptionally rare vessel, with exactly ten hulls constructed before the builder retooled the molds to sweep the transom aft, adding a swim platform and rebranding the boat as the Com-Pac 35. Consequently, the Com-Pac 33 remains a highly sought-after prize for cruising couples who appreciate classic aesthetics, hand-laid fiberglass, and shallow-water capability.

Design Brief & Intent

The Com-Pac 33 was designed to serve as an elegant, capable coastal cruiser, specifically optimized for the thin waters of the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, and the Chesapeake Bay. Charley Morgan prioritized sea-kindliness, ease of handling, and maximum living space within a moderate waterline. The character of the interior is defined by an abundance of solid, rich teak joinery, which creates a warm, traditional, "old-world" nautical cabin. The layout features a generous forward V-berth, a main salon with facing settees, a dedicated navigation station, a classic U-shaped galley, and a private double quarter cabin situated to starboard of the companionway. With six feet three inches of headroom, the interior feels notably larger than typical 33-footers of its era, demonstrating Morgan's skill in maximizing internal volume.

Compared to mass-produced competitors of the same era, such as Catalina or Hunter, the Com-Pac 33 stands out for its heavier, more substantial feel and superior woodwork. The hull is constructed of solid, hand-laid fiberglass, while the deck utilizes a balsa core to balance weight and rigidity. The deck hardware is heavily backed, reflecting the boat's intention to withstand serious coastal weather.

Variations & Configurations

Due to its extremely limited production run of just ten hulls, there are no layout variations or alternative rig configurations. All ten vessels were configured as masthead sloops featuring a short, structural bowsprit. The mast is stepped relatively far forward, and the spreaders are swept aft, a geometry designed to keep the helm light and balanced under sail.

The defining structural feature of the Com-Pac 33 is its Henry Scheel-designed keel. This high-tech Scheel keel allows the boat to draw only four feet of water while maintaining the lift and hydrodynamic performance of a much deeper fin keel. This configuration completely eliminates the mechanical complexity and maintenance headaches of a swing-keel or centerboard system.

The primary evolution of this design occurred when the builder transitioned to the Com-Pac 35. The 35 offered a scoop transom with an integrated swim platform, a slightly longer waterline, and a larger head that featured a separate stall shower—a luxury that the 33-footer could not fully accommodate within its footprints.

Sailing Performance & Handling

At the helm, the Com-Pac 33 delivers a remarkably stable, secure, and predictable ride. With a displacement of 11,000 pounds and a displacement-to-length ratio of 223.7, the boat sits firmly in the moderate-displacement cruising category. It carries its momentum beautifully through a head chop, resisting the tendency to slam or hobbyhorse in messy coastal waves.

Stiffness is one of this model’s primary virtues, owing to a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 47.27%. With nearly half of its weight concentrated low in the Scheel keel, the boat stands up exceptionally well to its canvas. This design allows it to remain flat and comfortable when lighter production boats are forced to reef early.

The sail area-to-displacement ratio of 18.44 indicates a surprisingly powerful rig for a dedicated cruiser. While its considerable wetted surface area means it is not a light-air racer, it is a highly respectable performer that tracks with minimal helm correction once the sails are balanced. The capsize screening ratio of 2.13 sits slightly above the traditional offshore racing limit of 2.0. This indicates a wide beam and flat bottom designed to optimize initial stability and interior living volume—typical of high-quality coastal cruisers—making it a perfect platform for trade-wind island hopping rather than extreme, deep-ocean storm survival. Its motion comfort ratio of 21.08 reflects a motion that is active yet predictable and reassuring.

Market Snapshot & Economics

Because only ten Com-Pac 33 hulls were ever built, the model is an absolute rarity on the brokerage market. When one does become available, it typically commands a premium among knowledgeable buyers who specifically seek out Charley Morgan designs and the build quality of the Hutchins factory. In relative terms, the Com-Pac 33 trades at a value compared to newer cruisers, but it holds its value far better than generic, mass-produced sloops of the same vintage.

When considering a purchase, buyers must budget for the refit economics typical of any boat approaching its fourth decade of service. While the structural hull is incredibly robust, updating the original systems—such as aging marine electronics, standard rigging, and the primary diesel engine—can require an investment that approaches the boat's market value. However, because the underlying fiberglass and solid teak interior are of such high caliber, owners generally find that these modernization projects represent a sound, long-term investment rather than lost capital.

Known Issues & Triage

Prospective owners should carefully inspect several specific areas that are known to require attention on the Com-Pac 33:

Deck Core Integrity: The deck utilizes balsa coring. Leaking hardware—specifically around the chainplates, stanchion bases, and the mast step—can allow water to penetrate the laminate, leading to core saturation and rot. A thorough moisture meter survey and tap test are mandatory.
Portlight Bedding: The original Perko portlights are prone to gasket failure and leaks over time. Resolving this involves removing the frames, cleaning away the old sealant, and re-bedding the units with high-quality marine sealants.
Keel Seams and Encapsulation: Because the Scheel keel is encapsulated within the fiberglass hull structure, there are no external keel bolts to rust. However, gelcoat crazing or hairline cracks along the lower keel section must be monitored, as they can allow minor water intrusion into the fiberglass layup, necessitating drying and sealing with an epoxy barrier coat.
Engine Accessories: The standard 25-horsepower Universal-Atomic diesel engine is highly reliable but has known vulnerabilities, including corrosion of the raw-water heat exchanger and eventual cracking of the alternator mounting bracket. Mechanical surveys should pay close attention to these components.

Modernization & Upgrades

Owners of the Com-Pac 33 are actively upgrading these vessels to align with modern cruising needs. The most common refits center on the electrical system. Many owners convert the house battery banks to Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) systems, which provide significantly more usable power and faster charging times. Because the original 30-gallon fuel tank is relatively modest, owners often install extensive marine solar panels on a custom aft arch or bimini to minimize the need to run the engine for battery charging.

In terms of propulsion, while some modern builders promote electric conversion, the Com-Pac 33’s moderate displacement means the reliable Universal diesel remains the preferred choice. Modern upgrades focus on installing newer freshwater-cooled exhaust systems and updating the engine's original raw-water heat exchangers with modern, corrosion-resistant copper-nickel variants. Sail handling is another frequent area of modernization. Adding a Dutchman sail-flaking system or lazy jacks, alongside low-friction mast tracks, drastically simplifies mainsail management, making the boat an exceptional platform for short-handed or single-handed coastal cruising.

The Verdict

The Com-Pac 33 is a rare, beautifully built coastal cruiser that punches far above its weight class. Combining the design brilliance of Charley Morgan with the uncompromising build standards of the Hutchins family, it offers a level of comfort, stiffness, and shallow-water freedom that few modern production boats can match. For the cruising couple looking for a classic, easy-to-manage yacht to explore coastal waters and shallow bays, it remains an exceptional find.

Pros