1980 Cape Dory 33

On deck, this 33-footer feels like a much bigger boat under your boots. The long fin keel and protected rudder give a surefooted motion when the breeze pipes up, yet she’ll still thread into a tight slip without drama. Side decks are wide and unobstructed, with solid handholds running the length of the house—easy to move forward in a seaway. At the helm, the tiller feedback is honest and predictable, making sail trim a pleasure instead of a chore. Storage is generous for a boat of this era, with deep cockpit lockers and smart spaces below that swallow ground tackle, cruising gear, and spares without cluttering the cabin.

A Cape Dory 33 is well suited to local conditions, where you can see everything from light-air afternoons to choppy, breeze-on days in the same week. Her moderate displacement and full-bodied sections keep her driving through short, confused chop instead of stalling, while the simple masthead sloop rig makes it easy to shorten sail when squalls roll through. The draft strikes a nice balance—deep enough for grip and tracking offshore, yet still reasonable for exploring shallower harbors and snug anchorages. Ventilation and solid tankage encourage longer weekends aboard, turning quick day sails into spontaneous overnights without sacrificing comfort or confidence.