1989 CAL 33

Step below and you’ll notice how bright this CAL 33 feels for her size, with clean sightlines, generous headroom and enough elbow room for crew to move without the usual galley‐dance. The wide side decks and solid handholds make getting to the foredeck secure, even when it’s lumpy. Under sail, the helm stays light and predictable, especially reaching, where these boats really like to stretch their legs without pounding. The cockpit coamings are high enough to be comfortable on a long beat, and the hardware layout lets a small crew manage trim without gymnastics. She’s the type of classic racer‑cruiser that rewards a bit of tweaking, but never punishes you for relaxing and just enjoying the ride.

In these waters, you want a boat that’s happy in a stiff afternoon breeze yet still nimble in light air, and the CAL 33 hits that sweet spot. Her moderate draft opens up more anchorages and tucked‑away moorings, while the efficient underbody makes short work of choppy afternoon fetch. The cockpit is large enough for friends on evening harbor sails, yet still secure when it kicks up offshore. Below, the practical layout works well for weekends aboard or the occasional longer hop along the coast, with enough storage and tankage to stay independent when marinas are scarce.