With a fin keel, skeg-hung rudder, and generous 10-foot-9-inch beam, the Scanmar 33 belongs squarely to the late-1970s and early-1980s tradition of Nordic cruisers. She was engineered for shorthanded family cruising rather than outright racing.
Design and Construction
The Scanmar 33 emerged from Rolf Magnusson's long collaboration with the Scanmar marque. She measures just over 33 feet overall on a 27-foot-3-inch waterline and displaces 10,140 pounds, including 4,188 pounds of lead ballast.
Her ballast-displacement ratio is 41.3, while her displacement-length ratio is near 224. Both figures place her firmly in the moderate-displacement cruising camp. A capsize screening figure of 1.9 and a comfort ratio of 22.8 describe a hull intended to look after its crew in ordinary cruising conditions.
Below the waterline, a fin keel and skeg-hung rudder combine maneuverability with directional stability. The solid fiberglass-reinforced plastic hull has sleek, elegant topsides. The mast is keel-stepped, giving the rig more security and rigidity than a deck-stepped arrangement would.
Rig and Handling
The Scanmar 33 carries a fractional sloop rig with a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 17.0. That provides enough canvas to keep her lively without requiring a large crew.
A slab-reefing mainsail and roller-furling genoa make the sail plan easy to handle and adjust. She also carries a spinnaker pole and whisker pole for downwind sailing.
Period assessments describe the Scanmar 33 as fast and agile in both light and strong winds. They also characterize her as easy and fun to sail, with simple, reliable systems, and as a versatile cruiser capable of sailing in different waters and climates.
Accommodations and Cockpit
Below deck, the Scanmar 33 is a roomy, cozy cruiser with berths for up to six people. Two dedicated sleeping cabins form the core of the layout. The bow cabin has a double berth, hanging locker, and shelf. The stern cabin has two single berths that convert into a double, along with its own locker and shelf. Two single berths in the saloon also serve as settees.
The single head is to port and includes a marine toilet, sink, and shower. Opposite, the starboard galley has a two-burner stove with oven, refrigerator, sink, and ample stowage. The navigation station sits to port beside the head, with a chart table, electrical panel, VHF, and instruments.
On deck, the aft cockpit is spacious and comfortable. It has a folding table, steering wheel, and instrument panel, as well as a large locker for sails, fenders, and other gear.
Known Issues
The Scanmar 33 is a well-built boat capable of lasting many years when properly maintained. The design has no safety-relevant flooding paths or drainage faults.
The Verdict
The Scanmar 33 is a thoughtfully proportioned Nordic cruiser, combining moderate displacement with a reassuring ballast fraction and a practical six-berth interior. Her fractional rig, slab-reefing mainsail, and roller-furling genoa are straightforward for a couple or family to manage. The fin keel and skeg-hung rudder provide predictable handling.
With 500 boats built over an eight-year production run, the Scanmar 33 is a known quantity on the used market for sailors seeking a solid, simple, seakindly 33-footer.
Pros
- Moderate displacement and a ballast-displacement ratio of 41.3 for stability
- Keel-stepped mast and skeg-hung rudder for rig security and control
- Accommodation for six, with two dedicated cabins and saloon berths
- Slab-reefing mainsail and roller-furling genoa for easy handling
Cons
- Period descriptions are largely celebratory rather than critical
