Cal 33-2 Tender?

[jstevens]

We're looking at a 1986 Cal 33-2 with shoal draft keel, but as relatively inexperienced sailors want to avoid a boat that is excessively "tender." Can anyone tell us how the Cal 33-2 performs in winds of 15+ knots?

[deniseO30]

Welcome to Sailnet!
Not, that I know anything about Cals, but all boats will seem tender to those new to sailing. It took me 2 years myself to get used to my boat heeling! As you learn a little more about sailing you'll understand how to keep the boat "on her feet" by making adjustments in sail size, shape and deployment. It seems the Pearson 33-2 is the same boat.

[sailingfool]

Any short keel will seem more tender than the same boat with a deep keel. It is the physics. If you should only be considering a short keel if you MUST have the shallow draft, and in that case, you just have the accept the tender behavior, after all, it isn't as if you have a choice.

[Melantho]

I crew now and again on a Cal 33-2 (deep keel) that races. This design has a fairly tall mast and lots of sail area. If you're racing with max genoas (150%), it can be tender. My recommendation for cruising is to scale back a bit. The boat will still perform just fine with a 135% or smaller jib. Then reef early and often. This boat is not like a Cape Dory which is so under-rigged that you can carry full sail at 20 kn.

[eherlihy]

The CAL 33-2 is a nice boat. I looked at, and sailed a few of them. They should be fine in 15 kts, but you will should be thinking about reefing. Someone already pointed out that the physics dictate that, all other things equal, a shoal draft boat will heel more than a deep fin keel.

With all due respect to Denise, it is NOT the same as a Pearson 33-2. The interior layout is very different (ex. Galley to Port on the CAL, Starboard on the Pearson, Head to aft on the Pearson, no aft cabin on the CAL), the drafts are different, the keel options are different...

Here, I'll show you;
CAL 33-2




Pearson 33-2

[COOL]

Originally Posted by eherlihy

With all due respect to Denise, it is NOT the same as a Pearson 33-2.

I believe the Pearson is a Shaw design and the Cal is a Hunt.
Their designs do use similar, and very practical, hull forms.

[deniseO30]

wow. I only said it "seems" to be the same boat!

[ashmun]

The Cal 33-2 has a sail area/displacement ratio of I believe 18.08, so consider using a working jib (i.e. something under 100%) to start. Putting one reefing the main is okay but might be challenging if you do not have a reefing system or not used to reefing. I’m assuming you don’t have a furling system. I’ve owned two Cals (2-30 and T/4 designed by Lapworth) and found them both to be a lot of fun. I single handed by T/4 (24’) for twenty years before moving up to the 30’ which I owned for 7 years before deciding to move up to a 38’.