Ed Dubois drew the design, combining a distinctly modern hull with a traditional cruising interior. The result was the final boat in a long Westerly lineage.
Design and Construction
The Ocean 33 is a 33 feet 4 inches monohull with a 28 feet 3 inches waterline and an 11 feet 2 inches beam. Fin- and twin-keel configurations were offered, carrying 4,491 to 4,961 pounds of ballast against a displacement of 11,684 pounds.
The hull has moderate freeboard and flared bow sections that promote dryness and buoyancy. Wide side decks make it easier to move forward. One tester also noted that their camber was just right to make the boat appear to stand up better when heeled.
The large, comfortable cockpit has high coamings, teak seats, and a teak sole for grip and warmth. Its layout came from the Fulmar, Storm, and Typhoon: safe and reassuring rather than reinvented. Construction was well-made and strong, with a sensible deck layout. A white fiberglass hull with blue stripes, a molded nonskid deck, and raised coachroof sections that provide headroom below complete the picture.
Rig, Handling, and Performance
The Ocean 33 carries a fractional 15/16ths sloop rig on a deck-stepped aluminum mast, with two sets of swept-back spreaders and internal halyards. The arrangement lowers the centre of effort, making the boat stiffer, while the swept-back spreaders permit a runner-free setup. A boom with internal reefing simplifies sail handling.
Testers found that the Ocean 33 tacks easily, accelerates well, and goes where it’s steered. In a Force 2 breeze on a close reach, she was making 3 knots within seconds of setting sail and climbed past 5.5 knots as she was trimmed. Flat out, the log showed 7.5 knots, adjusted to an honest 7.
Wide side decks and high, forward-mounted cockpit winches help make the deck plan efficient for a short-handed crew.
Accommodations
Below, the Ocean 33 sleeps six and has a single head. The interior has a pure-Westerly feel, with solid teak and lovely joinery, although the transitions between the woodwork and worktops aren’t always harmonious.
The forward cabin has a proper double berth with a port-side extension that allows a seven-foot sailor to lie flat. Aft, the cabin is light and airy, with two ports and an escape hatch.
The saloon provides two good seaberths, a folding table, and, at last, a decent cooker, though testers noted a shortage of lockerage. The chart-table surface is enormous and extends beneath the instrument faces.
To port, the galley has a Corian-style work surface described as wonderfully practical. A matching curve behind the heads toilet provides throne-like comfort. A “passage” forward allows the crew to sit dry beneath the sprayhood while keeping a good lookout. The first companionway step drops a foot, avoiding awkward contortions when the hood is up.
Engine and Related Design
The standard engine is a 20 hp Yanmar saildrive. Its compact footprint allows the hot-water tank to occupy the space where a propeller shaft would otherwise have run, preserving usable under-bunk lockers.
The sister design, the GK33, shares the Ocean 33’s hull and deck but omits the teak rubbing strake and deck, adopts a 7/8ths rig, and uses vacuum-bag moulding to save half a ton while matching stiffness. That provides useful context when comparing a used Ocean 33 with its lighter sibling.
Known Issues
The only recurring notes in trial reports concern the interior rather than the structure. Saloon stowage is limited, and the joinery doesn’t flow seamlessly into the worktops, leaving a slightly unsophisticated impression. These are cosmetic and practical shortcomings, not structural ones.
The Verdict
The Ocean 33 is a seriously quick yet handy and well-mannered cruiser, with a genuinely practical seagoing interior. It was the last—and one of the most refined—expressions of the Dubois-Westerly partnership.
It suits sailors who value stiffness, easy tacking, and a protected cockpit more than extensive saloon stowage. With only 33 built, each example is a small part of Westerly’s final chapter, and the model has a sparse presence on the used market.
Pros
- Fractional 15/16ths rig with swept-back spreaders provides stiffness without runners
- Fast in light air and handy in close quarters
- Spacious, bright interior with practical Corian-style surfaces and a forward passage
- Safe aft cockpit derived from proven Westerly models
Cons
- Limited lockerage in the saloon
- Joinery transitions feel slightly unsophisticated
- Only 33 built, resulting in a sparse presence on the used market
