Design Brief & Intent
Rolf Magnusson’s primary objective with the Contrast 33 was to construct a highly capable cruiser-racer that prioritized speed, balance, and handling without making compromises to satisfy restrictive handicap rating rules. This design philosophy placed the vessel in direct competition with prominent contemporary Scandinavian models of the era, such as the Comfortina 32, Scanmar 33, and Linjett 32. Unlike competitor models that were frequently influenced by rating optimization, the Contrast 33 featured a narrower beam of 10.10 feet and a moderate waterline length of 27.23 feet, allowing for a balanced hull shape that maintains its rudder feel and control even when heavily heeled.
The interior of the Contrast 33 showcases classic Scandinavian craftsmanship, characterized by rich, warm mahogany joinery and a functional, sea-kindly layout. Below deck, the vessel features an L-shaped galley to starboard, a dedicated navigation station to port, and a saloon with longitudinal settees flanking a central folding table. The boat accommodates six berths across three distinct sleeping areas: a private double V-berth in the forepeak, a generous quarter berth tucked aft to starboard, and convertible settees in the main saloon. The head is positioned on the port side aft, a logical layout that keeps wet gear close to the companionway and away from the primary living spaces.
Sailing Performance & Handling
Under sail, the Contrast 33 is a lively yet highly reassuring performer. Its physical characteristics reveal a displacement of 8,200 pounds and a deep lead fin keel carrying 3,748 pounds of ballast. This translates to an impressive ballast-to-displacement ratio of 45.71 percent, highlighting the boat's high level of inherent stability and its ability to stand up remarkably well to its canvas in a blow. With a displacement-to-length ratio of 181.31, the hull sits firmly in the light-to-medium category, ensuring nimble acceleration and excellent light-air performance. The sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 17.31 reflects a generous but easily managed sail plan, driven by a fractional rig that relies on a large mainsail and smaller, easily tacked headsails.
On the helm, the spade rudder delivers precise, responsive steering. The high ballast ratio means the boat is stiff and carries its momentum beautifully through tacks. A capsize screening formula of exactly 2.0 puts the boat right on the threshold of traditional ocean-going standards, though it is primarily designed as an exceptional coastal cruiser or club racer. Its comfort ratio of 20.24 indicates a moderately motion-sensitive ride in heavy seas, which is typical for performance-oriented cruiser-racers of this size.
Production Variations & Kit Builds
Throughout its production life, the Contrast 33 saw several shifts in manufacturing origin and delivery methods. While Contrastbåtar AB completed the majority of the vessels at their Swedish yard, a significant number of hulls were sold as home-completion kits. For prospective buyers today, this presents a major variable. While factory-finished hulls feature exceptional joiner work and professional system installations, kit-built boats rely entirely on the skills of the original amateur builders. Consequently, fit, finish, electrical wiring, and plumbing quality can vary dramatically from one hull to another.
In the 1990s, production shifted briefly to PMA Yachts. Later, in the early 2000s, Pronavia Marine AB in Poland briefly revived the model, outsourcing the hulls to a yard in Gdansk. These later Polish-built models feature slightly updated deck molds and modern interior appointments, but they remain rare compared to the classic Swedish-built units.
Known Issues & Triage
A critical concern for prospective buyers of early-model Contrast 33s is the rudder assembly. Models manufactured prior to 1988 were constructed with a hollow stainless steel rudder stock. Over decades of service, the combination of torsion, bending loads, and potential water ingress inside the rudder blade can lead to metal fatigue and crevice corrosion, particularly where the stock enters the fiberglass rudder blade. In 1988, the yard issued advisory guidelines regarding rudder stock strengthening. Many boats have since been retrofitted with solid stainless steel rudder shafts or completely rebuilt rudders, but any pre-1988 vessel must have its rudder stock professionally surveyed.
Additionally, the hull and deck are constructed using a hand-laid fiberglass sandwich with a foam core (typically Divinycell). While foam is highly resistant to rot compared to balsa, it is still vulnerable to localized shear failure and delamination if moisture penetrates the outer laminate. This is most common around high-stress deck hardware, such as chainplates, stanchions, and the tracks for the genoa sheet. Buyers should systematically inspect the deck for soft spots and evaluate moisture readings.
Modernization & Upgrades
As these hulls age, modernizing the mechanical and electrical systems has become a priority for dedicated owners. The original auxiliary power was typically a two-cylinder Volvo Penta MD7B or a compact 18-horsepower Yanmar diesel. Many of these original engines have reached the end of their service lives. A common and highly recommended upgrade is a repower to a modern three-cylinder 21-horsepower engine, such as the Yanmar 3YM20 or Volvo Penta D1-20, coupled with a new sail drive diaphragm.
Cruising owners often look to increase the vessel's range, which was originally limited by a small 8-gallon fuel tank and a modest 26-gallon freshwater capacity. Installing custom auxiliary aluminum or bladder tanks in the lockers is a frequent modification. For the sail plan, replacing the old, high-overlap genoa with a modern self-tacking jib setup or adding a bowsprit for an asymmetric spinnaker or Code Zero has proven to be a highly effective way to optimize light-wind performance while maintaining short-handed ease of use.
The Verdict
The Contrast 33 remains a highly attractive option for sailors seeking a classic Scandinavian cruiser-racer that delivers sailing joy, high-quality timber work, and robust construction. Rolf Magnusson’s design bypasses the worst aesthetic and performance habits of the IOR era, ensuring that even decades later, the boat looks elegant and sails circles around more bulbous cruising designs of the same generation. However, because a portion of the fleet was finished by homebuilders, a meticulous survey is paramount. For those who prioritize performance, structural stiffness, and traditional aesthetics over cavernous aft cabins, this Swedish classic represents an exceptional value on the brokerage market.
Pros
- Outstanding sailing performance with excellent balance and rudder feel.
- High ballast ratio of 45.71% ensures great stiffness and safety in a breeze.
- Clean, elegant hull lines that avoid the distortion of IOR-era competitor designs.
- High-quality Scandinavian mahogany joinery on factory-finished models.
- Hand-laid sandwich construction provides thermal and acoustic insulation.
Cons
- Large variability in interior finish and systems quality due to kit-built (home-completed) hulls.
- Early models feature hollow rudder stocks prone to structural fatigue.
- Original fuel and water capacities are highly restrictive for extended cruising.
- Moderate comfort ratio leads to a lively, motion-sensitive ride in heavy seas.
- Sail drive diaphragm replacements are costly and often overdue on older boats.
