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- Sailboat Reviews
This boat would be a pretty good choice for either an entry-level club racer or a coastal cruiser.
The Ranger Yacht division of Jensen Marine was created in 1969 to build performance-oriented boats designed by Gary Mull. Jensen’s Cal division had been successful with both racer/cruisers (Cal 34 and Cal 40) and pure cruisers (Cal 46), but the Ranger line was racier, with consistent styling and appearance throughout the series.
Ranger stopped building the 33 in 1978, after 464 boats had been turned out. Many minor changes were made over the years of production, and boats built after 1974 are generally more desirable, with restyled interiors and a diesel engine option.
Bangor Punta was an early boatbuilding conglomerate, and included Cal, O’Day, and Ranger sailboats, plus several powerboat building companies. Several changes of ownership later, the three sailboat companies gradually sank in a sea of red ink, with O’Day and Cal finally succumbing in the spring of 1989, several years after Ranger bit the dust.
With a subtle but attractive sheerline, low cabin trunk, and reverse transom, the Ranger 33 was very modern in appearance in 1969. The styling looks very traditional compared to late-1980s Eurostyling, however.
Underwater, the boat has a moderate aspect ratio fin keel, flattish run without the distorted buttock lines typical of IOR boats, and a semi-balanced spade rudder. The keel would look perfectly at home on a modern racer/cruiser, since it has a vertical trailing edge and a sloping leading edge. Radical keel shapes were as common around 1970 as they are today. The Ranger 33’s fin keel, on the other hand, is conservative and reasonably efficient.
Sailing Performance
The original sales brochure produced for the Ranger 33 defines the boat as a “high performance racing design by Gary Mull,” and that’s a reasonable summary of the boat’s performance compared to her contemporaries. The 33’s PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) rating of about 153 looks pretty sporty when you put the boat up against other boats that were in production in the early to mid 1970s: the Cal 34 rates 174; the Pearson 33, 174; the Columbia 34-2, 170.
Since the Ranger 33’s production spanned such a long period, however, there were a lot of other boats of about the same size with similar ratings by the late years of her manufacture. Mid-70s IOR-derived racer/cruisers were beamier, roomier, stiffer, and frequently faster than the Ranger 33, which was designed in the last years of the CCA (Cruising Club of America) rule. The Ranger 33 had a poor IOR (International Offshore Rule) rating, particularly compared to more modern fully-developed IOR-based production boats.
Owners report that the boat has one negative sailing characteristic: a tendency to rapidly develop weather helm as she heels. The normal, rational remedy is to reduce sail.
As a rule, relatively flat-bottom boats such as the Ranger 33 like to be sailed on their feet. Narrow beam gives the boat somewhat lower initial stability than many dual-purpose boats built today, despite the 40% ballast/displacement ratio. A modern mainsail reefing system would make it possible to reduce sail area quickly, but you’ll find old-fashioned roller reefing on most Ranger 33s.
Like most boats of this size built in the early ’70s, the Ranger 33 was originally fitted with a tiller. The tiller certainly provides adequate power to steer the boat, particularly since the rudder area is semi-balanced. In fact, the rudder may be a little too balanced. Owners report that if you put the rudder hard over, the tiller can just about knock you down as the water flow begins to act on the forward section of the rudder.
Many later boats are equipped with wheel steering, and a lot of earlier boats have no doubt been retrofitted with wheels. In any retrofit installation, you should carefully survey the workmanship. Look particularly for signs of strain, such as gelcoat crazing around the pedestal base or tabbing failure around sheave mounting blocks. Examining for cable wear and proper tensioning would be a normal part of a survey on any boat with this type of steering gear.
Check the condition of the tiller itself. One owner reported having to replace two tillers, which delaminated.
In tiller-steered boats, the helmsman’s position is somewhat awkward for shorthanded sailing, particularly on boats with end-of-boom sheeting. The helmsman sits at the forward end of the cockpit, ahead of both the jib sheet winches and the mainsheet.
One criticism several owners voiced about the rig is that the main boom is not strong enough. With endof-boom sheeting, a good vang is required to flatten the sail, but you could fold the boom in the middle with a lot of vang tension in heavy air.
The Ranger 33 is definitely a performance boat. This certainly does not preclude its use as a coastal cruiser, nor does it mean the boat is hard to sail. It’s a good, fast boat, which, if updated with modern sails and sailhandling equipment, could still be a formidable PHRF club racer.
Construction
By today’s standards, the Ranger 33 is not an extremely light-displacement boat. She was fairly light for her day—remember that most boats still had long keels and attached rudders in 1970—but not exceptionally so. Her Cal 34 stablemate, for example, was 1,000 pounds lighter on the same waterline length.
The Ranger 33 makes extensive use of modular fiberglass moldings, including a deck liner and extensive interior furniture moldings. The original interior was almost completely molded fiberglass with teak trim. Late in the production run, the interior was restyled somewhat to provide a more woody look, which was the rage by the mid 1970s.
Extensive hull and deck liners can make alterations or repairs to wiring and plumbing difficult, as these systems are frequently installed behind molded components. Some of the wiring in the Ranger 33 is inaccessible.
Several owners report that the support system for the deck-stepped mast is not strong enough. Mast compression is borne by a wood column which is attached to the main bulkhead. The main bulkhead also carries the upper shroud loads via strap-type chainplates.
This bulkhead was designed to be glassed to both hull and deck, but one owner told us that the bulkhead in his boat was only glassed to the hull—the overhead glassing had been omitted. The bulkhead had come partially adrift, allowing the boat to wrack in this heavily-loaded area.
Another owner reported measurable deck deflection around the mast step on top of the cabin. This could be the result of inadequate filling between the deck and the overhead liner in the way of the mast support column, or may mean a partially detached main bulkhead.
A deck-stepped mast requires not only good engineering, but careful quality control in construction to make sure the designer’s intentions are fulfilled. Since several owners report problems in this area on the Ranger 33, a very careful survey of the mast support structure is called for. Stress cracks around the mast step, joinerwork around the bulkhead that doesn’t quite line up properly, and inability to keep proper headstay tension are symptoms that may indicate a problem.
You should also pay attention to the aft lower chainplate anchorages, which simply bolt through the deck.
Originally, the Ranger 33 had teak toerails. Later models use a perforated aluminum toerail, which is certainly less maintenance. Some owners report small leaks along the hull-to-deck joint, as well as around the chainplates.
There are no bearings supporting the rudder stock on early boats, and this can eventually result in slop in the rudder as the rudder tube wears. One owner installed Teflon shims between the stock and rudder tube, which both eliminates play and reduces friction.
Excessive wear will show up in the form of a rudder stock that clunks around in the rudder tube. You can check this with the boat out of the water by grasping the rudder and trying to move it from side to side. In the water, the wear shows up as a spongy feel in the steering, or in extreme cases as a clunk when the boat is tacked.
Tankage for both fuel and water is minimal: 20 gallons of each. For more than weekend cruising, you’ll need to increase at least the water capacity.
A gasoline Atomic 4 was the standard engine. A 16 hp Universal diesel was optional from 1975 onward. Either engine is adequate power for the boat. Engine access for either engine is only fair, despite the fact that the engine box sticks well into the main cabin.
Be careful handling a tiller-steered Ranger 33 under power. Prop wash past the rudder can cause the tiller to crash over if you try to apply a lot of helm.
Most complaints about the Ranger 33’s construction are age-related. Serious concerns are the main bulkhead/mast support system, and rudder tube wear. Both of these problems should show up on any reasonably careful survey, and may not be cause for rejecting the boat if you feel confident in your ability to analyze the problem and make repairs. Obviously, the price of the boat should reflect the amount of work necessary to correct serious flaws.
With only 9′ 7″ of beam, there’s not a lot of hull volume in the Ranger 33. By comparison, the current Pearson 33—a typical more modern cruiser/racer—is 11′ wide. Somehow, that extra foot and a half of beam translates into a lot more interior space.
The Ranger 33 has a decent interior layout, but the proportions seem slightly miniaturized to fit in all the pieces, particularly in the galley and nav station. At the same time, at least there is a nav station; in 1970, the navigator usually used the icebox top. The forward cabin has the usual V-berths, wide at the head and narrow at the foot. A fiberglass hatch overhead provides fair-weather ventilation, but that’s about it for fresh air. Headroom is just over 6′ in the forward cabin.
A small head compartment is just aft of the forward cabin, offset to port. A dogleg in the bulkhead between the head and cabin renders the toilet a fairly tight fit. There is some storage space under the head sink, with a shelf above. Headroom is 6′.
On the port side of the main cabin is a U-shaped dinette, which can be converted to a double berth. Ranger’s advertising optimistically lists the dinette and settee opposite as seating eight people. That means squeezing five people into the dinette. We wouldn’t want to be one of them.
Realistically, three would be perfectly comfortable eating dinner, four would fit but would have little room for their plates. For more than four, you’ll need to limit your entertaining to cocktails and conversation, as the table is not expandable. If you’d like to feed more, you could devise a drop leaf for the passageway side of the table.
There’s 6′ 2″ of headroom on centerline in the main cabin. Headroom is fairly constant throughout the boat, as the top of the cabin is parallel to the cabin sole. In profile, the cabin top appears to slope downward further forward, but this illusion is the result of the rising sheerline forward. Gary Mull draws some very nice boats, and the 33 is one of them.
As designed, there is no ventilation in the main cabin, except for the main companionway. A large flat space atop the deckhouse just abaft the mast cries out for a modern, aluminum-framed deck hatch. Since there’s no molded boss for a hatch, you should build up a teak hatch coaming for mounting the hatch, rather than just bolting it to the deck. This raises the hatch slightly, perhaps keeping the interior drier, and it stiffens the deck in the way of the hatch cutout.
Main cabin storage is somewhat limited, with shelves outboard of the settee and dinette, bulk storage beneath.
The galley and nav station are at the aft end of the main cabin. The port-side galley has room for a twoor three-burner stove with oven. Unless an owner has retrofitted with propane, it will be an alcohol stove. In our opinion, pressurized alcohol stoves should be consigned to the nearest dumpster at the first opportunity.
An icebox is built in under the counter just aft of the stove. It’s a long reach to the bottom of the box for a short person, and a potentially hazardous one if the stove is fired up while you’re trying to get things out of the box. A single sink is mounted in the galley counter at its inboard end.
Aside from a locker under the sink and a shelf behind the stove, there is virtually no storage space in the galley. Instead, racks for plates and utensils are built into the shelf outboard of the dinette, forward of the partial bulkhead separating the galley from the rest of the main cabin.
If you’re only going to store plates, glassware, and flatware in these main cabin racks, they will be fairly convenient to use. If you have to get access to them while you’re cooking, it will be a nuisance, particularly if there are guests seated in the dinette. With a long stretch, you can reach over the stove to the main cabin racks, but we wouldn’t recommend it when the stove is in use.
A hand-operated fresh water pump supplies water to the sink. If you don’t want to add pressure water, replace the hand pump with a foot-operated Whale pump. You’ll be surprised at how much easier it is to rinse dishes when you can use both hands.
Opposite the galley is a nav station, which uses the head of the quarterberth as a seat. The chart table is small, but is large enough to take a chart book such as the Chart Kit. You’ll have to use your imagination to figure out how to mount navigation instruments, since there are no suitable shelves. It would be possible to attach bracket-mounted items such as a VHF radio to the underside of the deck, using stainless steel self-tappers into the plywood core. Obviously, these screws must not penetrate to the upper skin of the deck.
Sitting at the chart table is awkward. The flat of the cabin sole ends at the inboard edge of the nav station, and the side of the hull rises sharply in the footwell, making it difficult to sit facing the chart table. Instead, you’ll probably sit at an angle, with your legs can’ted toward the center of the boat. It’s somewhat awkward, but it could be a lot worse. The quarterberth itself is roomy and comfortable. If it hasn’t already been done, you can install an opening port in the side of the cockpit well next to the quarterberth.
The interior of the Ranger 33 is quite livable for two people, and even for four for short cruises. The primary drawbacks are mediocre ventilation and lack of usable storage space, both of which can be improved by the owner.
While the layout is good, it is somewhat cramped due to the narrow beam of the boat. The same arrangement in a boat a foot wider would seem remarkably more roomy.
Conclusions
The boats in the Ranger line were designed to be more powerful and faster than their Cal sisters. Many of these boats have been raced, and raced hard. A careful survey will be required to see if the boat is in reasonable condition.
According to our owners’ reports, the Ranger 33 has an average history of hull blistering. There are no indications of particular model years to avoid. In November, 1969, the base price of the Ranger 33 was about $18,000. This did not include some pretty basic items: lifelines and pulpits, bilge pump, stove, anodized spars. You even had to pay extra if you wanted fabric-covered cushions rather than vinyl!
You’re likely to find big variations in sailhandling equipment on Ranger 33s. On boats that are still actively raced, you may well find state-of-the-art gear: ball-bearing travelers, self-tailing winches, the whole nine yards. On a boat that was never raced, or has not been raced in years, you may well find the type of gear that was on boats 20 years ago—dreadfully old-fashioned and inefficient.
Some Ranger 33s have been cruised extensively. We know of one which made a Pacific circumnavigation. Boats that have been used for cruising may well have added amenities such as hot and cold water, shower, and gas cooking—all of which are near-necessities to move cruising beyond the camping out stage.
The rather paltry standard equipment list means that boats will be equipped very differently. This complicates a purchase decision, because you have to factor in the quality and age of retrofitted equipment, as well as competence of the installation itself.
Even if you have a lot of experience in systems maintenance, you should specifically request that your surveyor pay particular attention to creature comforts that have been added over the years.
The Ranger 33 would still be a pretty good choice for an entry-level club racer. A boat that has been raced is probably not encumbered with a lot of fancy, heavy goodies, yet it is likely to have the same rating as a “cruisier” version.
This would also be a pretty good coastal cruiser for a couple, although tankage, storage, and other amenities would need augmentation. You’ll have to do some comparison shopping, particularly in today’s market, when late-model used boats may sell for little more than tired, much older designs.
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Thank you for a well written and detailed article.
This review should be the standard template for all sailboats in the under-40 ft category. (I have no experience in larger craft – those may benefit from critiques with which I am not familiar.)
It is not only well written but written well, making it easy to understand and with the observations qualified when necessary.
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Ranger 33 1977 - any opinions?
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Hi, dear All, still looking fot that perfect first boat, with your kind help. This weekend me and my wife want to look at a few boats, one of them is Ranger 33. Can anybody kindly share "insider information" on what to look (any known weak spots, prone to blistering, etc)? Also, any general opinions on the Ranger 33 will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Ref
Hello, My wife and I just bought a CR Hunt / Ranger30 this past Sept. We had a pre-buy survey done, as we fell in love with her. The survey came back very positive.. strong solid boat. She is clean, well cared for. 30hp westebake deisle. No issues on blistering or other problems. From what I have been given to understand, the Ranger boats generally have a good reputation. Spend the money on a survey. Good luck and happy sailing. Rick
The boat in question is a very different boat in almost all ways than the Ray Hunt designed near clone of the Oday 30 that was marketed as the Ranger 30. The Ranger 33 was a Gary Mull design and was part of a series that included the smaller Ranger 23, 26, 29 line of performance cruisers. As much as I am a big fan of Gary Mull''s work, and really like the smaller Rangers in this series, and think that the Ranger 23 is the near perfect first boat for a new sailor and my favorite 23 footer of its era, I have never really liked the Ranger 33. In stretching the design brief, the design of 33 somehow seems to lack the sophistication of the smaller boats in this series. It was almost as if Ranger was trying to stuff more volume into this boat that was easily doable within its length. What came out was a boat whose bow and stern sections seem a lot fuller than the smaller boats and whose cabin structure seems too large for the hull. In general Rangers of there era were not all that well built but the issues were pretty minor in the smaller boats. Talking to a long term owner of the Ranger 33 several years back, he described having to add more remedial structure than should be required on what was then a pretty new boat. In the Ranger 33''s defense he was racing his 33 hard in San Francisco Bay which is a pretty harsh environment. But these boats are now substantially older and his desciption of flexing problems, mast support problems and structural issues in the keel area while not extreme for a coastal cruiser of this era, were certainly less than ideal. I have not experienced this first hand so I am relying on what may be too small a sampling here to say if this was the case of all 33''s. These were pretty fast boats for their day fairing comparably well with other performance boats like the Cal 34 or Ericson 32 of that era. They fair especially well on reaches and dead runs and less so when beating. Jeff
Practical Sailor''s Used Boat Buyer''s handbook has a very detailed section on the Ranger 33. They seem to be nice enough boats, (There have been two in our area that I''ve seen.) with most of the features one would look for in a cruising boat/PHRF racer. They might not have as much room below or on deck as more modern designs because of the relatively narrow beam. As I recall, Practical Sailor called for paying particular attention to the main bulkhead/mast step area because of the deck-stepped mast. (I loaned out my copy of the book and haven''t gotten it back yet.) PS also raised most of the issues suggested by JeffH.
I have owned a 73 tall rig for the past 18 years which we''ve raced and cruised extensively. My first Ranger was the last 23 tall rig built -hull number 739. Our 33 has been extensively upgraded through the years, including adjustable jib leads, self tailing winches, backstay adjuster, inboard blade track,coarse and fine mainsheet system on modern traveler track, and a complete inventory of purpose built sails as I hate roller furlers. We also have a modified rudder. All thru hulls were replaced and the bottom is burnished VC ofshore The boat is a pleasure to sail, and will usually be in the hunt, if not the ''Alpha'' boat in the local PHRF fleet. I am not allowed to bring home any more trophies as there is no more room in the den. We have enjoyed alot of success on the race course -not because I''m a good sailor, but because the boat sails well under the rating in a variety of conditions. It is very important when racing this boat to keep her under control, and change jibs as required. We rarely need the extra sail area of the 150 and typically race with our 140% headsail. Unlike Jeff, I find the boat goes upwind faster and higher than any other similarly rated boat. We doextremly well upwind and reaching in all condiions. Again, the right jib is critical, as the mast is stiff and not really suited to depowering as with a fractional rig. Our main is cut a little flat and it pays off as the wind builds. We have not had any structural problems, refered to, but did lose the boom in an offshore race in 60kts of wind. The original boom section was undersized. I have great confidence in our boat (one competed and won its division in the trans pac) and love the sailing qualities. .. Not the greatest for cruising due to the 9.7 beam. I would highly recommend the R33.
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The Ranger 33 Sailboat
The Ranger 33, a masthead cruising sloop, was designed by Gary Mull and built in the USA by Ranger Yachts Inc.
'Random' is one of the later models which were produced with wheel steering. Earlier versions had a tiller.
Published Specification for the Ranger 33
Underwater Profile: Fin keel with spade rudder
Hull Material: GRP
Length Overall: 33'2" / 10.11m
Waterline Length: 26'3" / 8.00m
Beam: 9'7" / 2.9m
Draft: 5'0", 1.5m
Rig Type: Masthead sloop
Displacement: 10,500lb / 2,041kg
Designer: Gary Mull
Builder: Ranger Yachts (USA)
Year First Built: 1969
Year Last Built: 1978
Number Built: 464
Published Design Ratios for the Ranger 33
Sail Area/Displacement Ra tio: 17.7
Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 42.9
Displacement/Length Ratio: 259
Comfort Ratio: 28.2
Capsize Screening Formula: 1.8
read more about these all-revealing numbers...
Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Ranger 33
1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 17.7 suggests that the Ranger 33 will approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors.
2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 42.9 means that the Ranger 33 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.
3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 259, tells us the Ranger 33 is a moderate displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Most of today's sailboats intended for offshore cruising fall into this displacement category.
4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 28.2 suggests that crew comfort of a Ranger 33 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability, which is not encouraging news for anyone prone to seasickness.
5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.8 tells us that a Ranger 33 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.
The Ranger 33 Sailboat: A Classic Racer/Cruiser by Gary Mull
If you are looking for a fast, fun and versatile sailing boat that can handle both racing and cruising, you might want to check out the Ranger 33 sailboat. This boat was designed by Gary Mull, one of the most influential American yacht designers of the 20th century, and built by Ranger Yachts, a division of Bangor Punta, between 1969 and 1978.
The Ranger 33 is a classic example of a well-balanced, good-looking and easy-to-sail boat that has stood the test of time. In this article, we will give you an overview of the Ranger 33 sailing boat, its accommodation, hull and deck, mast and rigging, keel and rudder, and some of its pros and cons.
Overview The Ranger 33 can accommodate up to six people in two cabins and a saloon.
It was inspired by the Cal 40, another successful racer/cruiser by Mull that won many offshore races in the 1960s. The Ranger 33 was one of the first boats to feature a reverse transom, a low cabin trunk and a subtle but attractive sheerline that gave it a modern and sleek appearance. It was also one of the last boats to be designed under the Cruising Club of America (CCA) rule, which favored long overhangs and narrow beams.
The Ranger 33 was built by Ranger Yachts, a division of Bangor Punta, in Costa Mesa, California. Bangor Punta was an early boatbuilding conglomerate that also owned Cal, O'Day and several powerboat companies. The Ranger line was created to produce performance-oriented boats that were racier than the Cal or O'Day models.
The Ranger 33 was one of the most popular models in the Ranger series, with 464 boats produced between 1969 and 1978. Many minor changes were made over the years of production, such as restyled interiors, diesel engine options and wheel steering.
The Ranger 33 has a PHRF rating of about 153, which means it is faster than many other boats of its size and era. It is still competitive in club racing today, especially in light to moderate winds. It is also suitable for coastal cruising, as it has a comfortable cockpit, a bright and airy interior and enough space for storage and living aboard for short periods. It is easy to sail and handle, with good balance and stability. It is also relatively affordable and easy to maintain.
Accommodation The Ranger 33 has an accommodation layout that can sleep up to six people in two cabins and a saloon. The forward cabin has a V-berth with storage underneath and shelves on both sides. There is also an opening hatch for ventilation and light. The saloon has two settees that can be used as single berths or converted into a double berth with an insert cushion. There is also a folding table that can be stowed away when not in use. The saloon has four opening ports and two fixed windows for natural light and air circulation.
The galley is located on the port side of the companionway. It has a two-burner stove with an oven, a sink with a manual water pump, an icebox and some storage cabinets and drawers. The navigation station is located on the starboard side of the companionway. It has a chart table with storage underneath, an electrical panel and some instruments.
The head is located aft of the navigation station on the starboard side. It has a marine toilet with a holding tank or overboard discharge option, a sink with a manual water pump, a shower with a sump pump and some storage lockers. The aft cabin is located on the port side, behind the galley. It has a large quarter berth that can sleep two people, a hanging locker and a shelf.
The interior of the Ranger 33 is finished with teak wood trim and white fiberglass panels. The upholstery is usually blue or beige. The headroom is about 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters) in the saloon and 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters) in the forward cabin.
Hull and Deck The hull of the Ranger 33 is made of fiberglass with a balsa core for stiffness and insulation. The deck is also made of fiberglass with a balsa core, except for the cabin top, which is solid fiberglass. The hull-to-deck joint is bonded with fiberglass and secured with stainless steel bolts. The deck has a molded-in nonskid pattern for traction and safety.
The cockpit of the Ranger 33 is spacious and comfortable, with long and wide seats that can accommodate up to six people. There is a large lazarette locker on the starboard side and a smaller one on the port side for storage. There is also a propane locker on the port side that can hold two tanks. The cockpit has a tiller or a wheel steering option, with an engine control panel and a compass mounted on the pedestal or bulkhead. The cockpit has a reverse transom with a swim ladder for easy access to the water.
The deck of the Ranger 33 has a low profile and a clean layout, with all lines led aft to the cockpit through organizers and clutches. There are two primary winches on the cockpit coaming, two secondary winches on the cabin top and two halyard winches on the mast. There are also two genoa tracks with cars and two spinnaker blocks on the deck. The deck has a bow pulpit, stern rail and stanchions with double lifelines for safety. There is also an anchor locker on the foredeck with a bow roller and a cleat.
Mast and Rigging The mast of the Ranger 33 is made of aluminum and is stepped on the deck or on the keel, depending on the model year. The mast has two sets of spreaders and a jumper strut at the top. The mast has internal halyards for the main, jib and spinnaker. The mast has an optional fractional rig option, which has a shorter mast and a larger mainsail.
The rigging of the Ranger 33 is made of stainless steel wire with swaged terminals. The rigging has a single forestay, a single backstay, upper and lower shrouds and intermediate shrouds. The rigging has an optional baby stay or inner forestay for cutter rig option, which allows for a smaller jib or staysail.
The sails of the Ranger 33 are made of dacron or other synthetic materials. The sails include a mainsail, a jib or genoa, and a spinnaker. The mainsail has one or two reef points and slides or slugs on the luff. The mainsail has an optional in-mast or in-boom reefing system for easier handling. The jib or genoa has hanks or roller furling on the luff. The spinnaker has a pole or bowsprit for downwind sailing.
Keel and Rudder The keel of the Ranger 33 is a fixed fin keel that is bolted to the hull with stainless steel bolts. The keel is made of lead and has a vertical trailing edge and a sloping leading edge. The keel has a moderate aspect ratio and is reasonably efficient. The rudder of the Ranger 33 is an internally-mounted spade rudder that is attached to the hull with stainless steel gudgeons and pintles. The rudder is made of fiberglass with a foam core and has a semi-balanced shape that reduces helm pressure.
Pros and Cons The Ranger 33 sailboat has many advantages as well as some drawbacks that you should consider before buying one. Here are some of them: Pros:
- Fast, fun and versatile boat that can handle both racing and cruising;
- Well-balanced, good-looking and easy-to-sail boat that has stood the test of time;
- Comfortable cockpit, bright and airy interior and enough space for storage and living aboard;
- Affordable and easy to maintain boat that has many spare parts available;
- Classic design by Gary Mull that has many loyal fans.
- Tends to develop weather helm as it heels, requiring sail reduction;
- Not very stiff or roomy compared to newer designs;
- Has some common problems such as deck leaks, chainplate corrosion, blistering, etc;
- Has limited tankage capacity for water and fuel;
- Has limited headroom in some areas.
Conclusion The Ranger 33 yacht is a classic racer/cruiser by Gary Mull that offers fast, fun and versatile sailing that can handle both racing and cruising. It is a well-balanced, good-looking and easy-to-sail boat that has a comfortable cockpit, a bright and airy interior and enough space for storage and living aboard. It is also affordable and easy to maintain, with many spare parts available. It is a classic design by Gary Mull that has many loyal fans.
The above text was drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; we believe it to be accurate to the best of our knowledge.
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The Ranger 33 is a 33.17ft masthead sloop designed by Gary Mull and built in fiberglass by Ranger Yachts (USA) between 1969 and 1978.
464 units have been built..
The Ranger 33 is a moderate weight sailboat which is a reasonably good performer. It is very stable / stiff and has an excellent righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a coastal cruiser. The fuel capacity is originally small. There is a very short water supply range.
Ranger 33 for sale elsewhere on the web:
Main features
| Model | Ranger 33 | ||
| Length | 33.17 ft | ||
| Beam | 9.58 ft | ||
| Draft | 5 ft | ||
| Country | United states (North America) | ||
| Estimated price | $ 0 | ?? |
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| Sail area / displ. | 17.66 | ||
| Ballast / displ. | 42.86 % | ||
| Displ. / length | 259.15 | ||
| Comfort ratio | 28.24 | ||
| Capsize | 1.75 |
| Hull type | Monohull fin keel with spade rudder | ||
| Construction | Fiberglass | ||
| Waterline length | 26.25 ft | ||
| Maximum draft | 5 ft | ||
| Displacement | 10500 lbs | ||
| Ballast | 4500 lbs | ||
| Hull speed | 6.87 knots |
We help you build your own hydraulic steering system - Lecomble & Schmitt
| Rigging | Masthead Sloop | ||
| Sail area (100%) | 529 sq.ft | ||
| Air draft | 0 ft | ?? | |
| Sail area fore | 287.80 sq.ft | ||
| Sail area main | 240.63 sq.ft | ||
| I | 41.50 ft | ||
| J | 13.87 ft | ||
| P | 35 ft | ||
| E | 13.75 ft |
| Nb engines | 1 | ||
| Total power | 30 HP | ||
| Fuel capacity | 21 gals |
Accommodations
| Water capacity | 21 gals | ||
| Headroom | 0 ft | ||
| Nb of cabins | 0 | ||
| Nb of berths | 0 | ||
| Nb heads | 0 |
Builder data
| Builder | Ranger Yachts (USA) | ||
| Designer | Gary Mull | ||
| First built | 1969 | ||
| Last built | 1978 | ||
| Number built | 464 |
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40 to 50 indicates a heavy bluewater boat; over 50 indicates an extremely heavy bluewater boat. Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam^1.33), where displacement is expressed in pounds, and length is expressed in feet. Capsize Screening Formula (CSF): Designed to determine if a boat has blue water capability.
The Ranger 33 had a poor IOR (International Offshore Rule) rating, particularly compared to more modern fully-developed IOR-based production boats. Owners report that the boat has one negative sailing characteristic: a tendency to rapidly develop weather helm as she heels. The normal, rational remedy is to reduce sail.
The Ranger 33 was a Gary Mull design and was part of a series that included the smaller Ranger 23, 26, 29 line of performance cruisers. As much as I am a big fan of Gary Mull''s work, and really like the smaller Rangers in this series, and think that the Ranger 23 is the near perfect first boat for a new sailor and my favorite 23 footer of its ...
Notes. On later boats, wheel steering became standard and a Universal diesel was offered as an option. Embed this page on your own website by copying and pasting this code. Ranger 33 is a 33′ 2″ / 10.1 m monohull sailboat designed by Gary Mull and built by Ranger Yachts between 1969 and 1978.
The Ranger 33 yacht is a classic racer/cruiser by Gary Mull that offers fast, fun and versatile sailing that can handle both racing and cruising. It is a well-balanced, good-looking and easy-to-sail boat that has a comfortable cockpit, a bright and airy interior and enough space for storage and living aboard.
Antares is still in the family and, as Andrews says, "At 33 years old, this Ranger 33 is still a great family boat.". Phil Lambert of Outbound Yachts has owned both a tall and a short-rigged R-33, one of which he lived aboard while starting up his company. "It was designed before the IOR and before companies started selling from the ...
33 FT Ranger 33 1977 -/1 . $13,000 OBO. Category. Boats / 32 - 35 Feet Sailboats. Location. Marina Bay, Richmond . Boat Model. Ranger 33 . Boat Length. 33 . Boat Year. 1977 . OBO. New jib Quantum. Main repaired Quantum. Universal 2cyl diesel prof maintained by List. Rebuilt controls by List. Raft with 5hp outboard. Sleeps 6.
Description. Much sailed and loved, solid bones, integrated keel, well maintained engine and great sailing boat. Newly painted and epoxied bottom with Interlux CSC. Sleeps 6 - V-berth, setee, dbl at dining, aft single. Galley with 4-burner range and stove, propane, with 11# tank. Chart table, 6'2 head-room, electric head, water heater, galley ...
Find Ranger 33 boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of Ranger boats to choose from. ... 1976 Ranger 33. US$9,900. ↓ Price Drop. McCotters Marina | Washington, North Carolina. Request Info; New Arrival; 1972 Ranger 33. US$12,000. The Shoreline Yacht Group | Long Beach, California. Request Info;
The Ranger 33 is a 33.17ft masthead sloop designed by Gary Mull and built in fiberglass by Ranger Yachts (USA) between 1969 and 1978. 464 units have been built. The Ranger 33 is a moderate weight sailboat which is a reasonably good performer. It is very stable / stiff and has an excellent righting capability if capsized.
33'. 9.58'. 5'. Louisiana. $17,000. Description: Motivated seller-make me an offer. Good condition for its age racer cruiser with lot of extras-selling due to moving. Autopilot, hot water, gps, propane grill, stereo, dinghy davits, etc. Fridge and radar setup but not currently functioning Repowered with a Universal 30hp diesel.
Check out this Used 1977 Ranger 33 Sloop for sale in Port of Everett, WA 98206. View this Sloop and other Sail boats on boattrader.com
Go to Sailing Texas classifieds for current sailboats for sale . Ranger 33, 1977 LOA 33'-2" LWL 26'-3" Beam 9'-7" Disp. 10,500# Ballast 4,500# Draft 5' Sail Area 529 s.f. Tall rig. Second owner. Very good condition. Fresh water since launched new at Lake Mead, Nevada. Universal diesel. Hood "Vectran" fully battened main. ...
1977 Ranger Boats (WA) 33 . This Ranger 33 sailboat has a fiberglass hull and an LOA of 33.08 feet (length over all). The boat has a 97 inch beam. This sailboat is set up to sail as a Sloop. The craft has 499 square feet of sail area. Displacement for the boat is 10300 lbs. The draft of this sailboat is approximately 5'2".
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This vessel was designed and built by the Ranger shipyard in 1977. Key features 1977 Ranger 33: length 10.06 meters and beam 3.05 meters. engine: engine hours - 600 hours and fuel type - diesel. 1977 Ranger 33 refers to classes: sailboats, sailing yachts and sailing sloops. To clarify the price $35,000 and buy Ranger 33 - contact the offerer!
Ranger 33, 1977, Chicago, Illinois. 10/24/07, Ranger 33, 1977, Chicago, Illinois, $17,900, price reduced 7/3/08 to $13,500, ad expired ... Sails: Scam Warnings: Texas Lakes: Advertise with us: Contact: Free Sailboat Ad: Go to Sailing Texas classifieds for current sailboats for sale . 1977 Ranger 33 lwl 26'3" dspl 10,500 beam 9' 7" draft 5 ...
Berkeley, CA, upwind berth $14,450 OBO New Main, 100%, 150% Spinnaker Well maintained, raced 10 times in her life Custom Ballenger spars - tall rig Atomic 4 - original but well maintained, lots new
I am looking at a 1977 Ranger 33. Any input on what I should look out for. ... Sell Your Boat Used Gear for Sale. ... Ranger 33 info. Thread starter Dave Kuchenbecker; Start date Oct 7, 2005; Forums. Brand-Specific Forums. Ranger Yachts (CA/FL) Status Not open for further replies. D. Dave Kuchenbecker. Oct 7, 2005 #1 ...
Description. This 1976 tall rig Ranger 33 was manufactured by Jensen Marine and designed by famous designer Gary Mull. It is a classic cruiser/racer style that is very fast, easy to sail, set up for single handed sailing, and good liveaboard (sleeps 6). Being thoroughly maintained and meticulously upgraded, this sailboat is in very good shape ...
1977 Ranger 33. -. $19,000. (Everett) Perfect off-shore, proven cruiser / racer. Sounder is a well cared for, loved sailboat. Standing rigging replaced 6 years ago, winches rebuilt two years ago. Universal m320b diesel well maintained and reliable. Main, 130 Genoa, completely re-sewn last year, Asymmetrical spinnaker - big beautiful blue kite.
Progressive Boat Insurance. Insure your 1977 Ranger Yachts/Jensen Marine RANGER 33/SL for just $100/year*. More freedom: You're covered on all lakes, rivers and oceans within 75 miles of the coast. Savings: We offer low rates and plenty of discounts. Coverages: We offer wreckage/fuel spill removal, on-water towing, etc.
Compare Multiple Quotes for Sail Boats Shipping at uShip.com. Recent Shipments include: 1977 Ranger 33' Sailboat, - shipped from Richmond, Virginia to Chicago, Illinois ... 1977 Ranger 33' Sailboat. Archived. Randall P. | ID #462368929. Expired Oct 31, 2007 | Listed Oct 11, 2007. Pickup. Richmond, VA 23233 US. Business (without loading dock or ...