Cal 33 (1987)

[thomm225]

I have been looking at this beautiful 1987 Cal 33 with 4' 8" draft, PHRF lower 130's on yachtworld. It only displaced 10800 lbs though which seemed a bit light compared to some cruising boats. Ballast is 4750 though.

Then I read on another forum that these boat have a tendency to "oil can" in a chop. What is that exactly?

I remember the old oil cans, and if you didn't insert the spout thingy correctly well ....................

[Suijin]

Oil canning is the tendency for the mid-section of the hull to deform when subjected to stress. For example, if you haul and block some boats and don't properly support the keel in the right spot, the hull will "oil can" spreading out and deforming.

Older, more lightly built boats will oil can progressively as they age as the fiberglass weakens under repeated stress cycles. It's why buying a boat that has been proudly advertised as having completed a circumnavigation is not a good idea. It will have hundreds of thousands more stress cycles on the hull than a lightly used example.

Oil canning in a chop means that the hull flexes...either visibly or audibly...as in all the cabinetry down below creaking and complaining.

If you're looking for a comparable, better built boat, see if you can find a Nordic 34. They are speedy, well built, and really fun to sail.

[NormanMartin]

Probably the best Call 33 in the world belongs to friends who have lavished her with care. Check out Tupelo Honey in Boston. Draft is 6 ft.

I have no financial interest in the transaction.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by NormanMartin

Probably the best Call 33 in the world belongs to friends who have lavished her with care. Check out Tupelo Honey in Boston. Draft is 6 ft.

I have no financial interest in the transaction.

That's nice but I hear the hull of the Cal 33 tends to " Oil Can" in a chop. I don't think care will help if this statement if true.

[cal40john]

Once spent an entire day beating my way north in a Cal 33 in at least 4' waves in the Straits of Georgia, didn't notice oil canning. I think I've read that the different models were built differently though. I have no idea which Cal 33 version I was on.

John

[silversailor]

About 21 years ago I looked long and hard at a number of late 1980s Cal 33s. Unfortunately, they were pretty beat up, but well cared for they look like great boats. Ended up with a 1986 Pearson 33. Not to dissimilar in looks and sailing ability. Either in good condition could be a great find.

[thomm225]

I wish I knew more about this oil canning "claim" because these boats are certainly nice looking. This one even has a normal mattress in the V Berth.

1987 CAL 33 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

[WoobaGooba]

Originally Posted by thomm225

I have been looking at this beautiful 1987 Cal 33 with 4' 8" draft, PHRF lower 130's on yachtworld. It only displaced 10800 lbs though which seemed a bit light compared to some cruising boats. Ballast is 4750 though.

Then I read on another forum that these boat have a tendency to "oil can" in a chop. What is that exactly?

I remember the old oil cans, and if you didn't insert the spout thingy correctly well ....................

The post was probably mine. I own 33-2 with hull number in the 40s. The forward hull sections over the v-berth flex when the boat is pounding through waves. Its my understanding that this issue was resolved with later hull numbers, but I can not confirm that.

One way to tell is to hit the exterior hull with the side of a fist, half way from the water line to the deck about 4 feet aft of the bow. If your fist wants to bounce back, you have hull flex.

I intend to finally address this issue over the winter.