The 33-foot yacht was among the pioneering fiberglass production sailboats. Its development shows a steady refinement of the original platform rather than a clean-sheet redesign.
Design and Construction
The original Medalist 33-1 had a solid fiberglass hull, a balsa-cored deck, and an attached rudder. All were flush-decked, with ports in the topsides.
In 1966, Le Comte redesigned the boat with a slightly longer hull. Built through 1970 as the 33-2, the enlarged model had a spade rudder and tall rig, although one 33-2 was built with an attached rudder and a trunk cabin. The Mk III was available with either a flush deck or a trunk cabin.
Both the Mk II and Mk III use a long keel and masthead rig. The Mk II was built by the Dutch yard LeComte-Holland, N.V., with a fiberglass hull. Depending on load, the Mk III draws roughly 5.25 to 5.55 feet, allowing it to enter most marinas without drama.
Rig and Handling
The Mk II has a tall masthead rig. Its sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 14.2 using the ISO reference sail, rising to 16.5 with a 135% genoa.
The rig dimensions reflect the changes made to the larger boat. The 33-1’s foretriangle measured I 35.58 and J 11.83, while the enlarged 33-2 measured I 39.5 and J 12.25.
The Mk II’s standing and running rigging are thoroughly documented:
- Mainsail and genoa halyards: 25.2 meters at 10 mm
- Jib and genoa sheets: 10.1 meters at 12 mm
- Mainsheet: 25.2 meters at 12 mm
The Mk III has a capsize screening value of 1.76 and a Motion Comfort Ratio of 31.2. Its displacement-length ratio of 374 places it among heavy cruisers. The theoretical hull speed for a displacement boat of this length is 6.6 knots, and the immersion rate is 839 pounds per inch.
Accommodations
The Mk I interior helped establish the model’s reputation. It was well designed and offered ample living space, typically with a V-berth forward, settees on both sides of the main saloon, a galley, a navigation station, and a head. It could accommodate up to six people.
The Mk II and Mk III carry that cruising layout into the enlarged hull. The Mk III’s length-to-beam ratio of 3.30 and 36% ballast ratio speak to a volume-forward, stable platform rather than a stripped racer.
The original 33-1 was flush-decked, while later marks offered trunk-cabin options. The trunk-cabin options widened the habitable trunk without abandoning the boat’s low-slung profile.
Performance Heritage
The Medalist 33 Mk I was known for speed and agility. Its large sail area allowed it to perform in both light and heavy winds, while its upwind ability gave it a reputation as a reliable offshore choice in rough seas.
The Mk II’s SA/D figures and tall rig continue that character. On the Mk III, the heavy-cruiser D/L classification and 1.76 capsize screening value suggest a boat that can carry a load without giving up its seakeeping. The 33-foot waterline produces a predictable, comfort-oriented motion rather than a twitchy ride.
Verdict
The Medalist 33 Mk II and Mk III are mature versions of a Dutch fiberglass cruiser that began as a pioneering production design. The enlarged hull, spade rudder, and tall masthead rig gave the later marks a measurable increase in sail plan and a marina-friendly draft. At the same time, the long keel and heavy-cruiser displacement ratios keep them firmly in the role of dependable coastal and offshore companions.
Pros
- Pioneering fiberglass production heritage, with a documented design evolution from 1961 onward
- Enlarged Mk II and Mk III hull with a spade rudder and tall rig for increased sail area
- Draft of around 5.25–5.55 ft keeps the boat manageable in most marinas
- Strong upwind and rough-water reputation inherited from the Mk I
- Accommodations for up to six, with a practical V-berth and settees on both sides of the saloon
Cons
- Heavy-cruiser displacement-length ratio limits outright speed despite the tall rig
- The earlier 33-1 and some 33-2 configurations used attached rudders, a step behind the spade-rudder arrangement
