Hi all h-33 owners. I always see them for sale and they all list their ballast at 4100 lbs. Give me the scoop, is it 4400 or 4100. If it is 4100 that puts it below the 40 persent margin. How does the deep fin model handle? Has anyone put in a jib track to get away from the toe rail adjustment? When looking for a good 33 what problems do I have to lookout for? Dave
- Status
H33
Shoal draft has the heavy keel, fin keel a little lighter. Nothing magic about 40%. Search the archives for H33 and you'll find a lot.
Shoal draft has the heavy keel, fin keel a little lighter. Nothing magic about 40%. Search the archives for H33 and you'll find a lot.
Who Knows?
All the specs I've seen list the 33's ballast as 4600 pounds, both for the shoal and deep fin keels. At this point who knows. No one at Hunter does, I assure you. Whatever it is, they burnt the prints years ago. Does it matter? I don't think so. The boat will round up long before capsize becomes a problem. Besides, you're not likely to have a 33 out on the open ocean for any great voyages. Coastal cruiser? Absolutely! Ocean voyager? Only for a select few. Use it for what it was intended and you'll be ecstatic with it. If you're in an area with lots of water (like Long Island Sound)and figure on never going into an area with shallower water, go for the deeper keel. If you're like me and sail in an area where 6 feet of water is cause for celebration go for the shoal version. The difference is a bit (well, maybe more than a little bit) of pointing ability. Weak points? Nowhere near what the later boats have to offer in manufacturing and engineering goofs. Delamination of the hull appears to be rare. Ports and attendant leakage and core rot are a joke. Upper decks leak and rot where installations are done improperly. The compression post doesn't make problems. The rudder is too small. Rudder support tube nut rots away and Hunter has no replacement available. Chain plates are prone to leaking and therefore rotting of the core there, and require constant vigilance. Some complain of weak cockpit soles. Most likely caused by water entering the core via the fuel fill instalation. Uncaring glass work; sloppy but not dangerous that I've seen. My experience indicates a sturdy boat, quicker than most, that will accept loads of owner stupidity. Genoa track? Yes, I added them. 11 footers on both sides. Wasn't sure what I would end up with for sails. About 68, 1 1/4" holes in the side decks, filled with thickened epoxy. No problems with the strength or application of the installation. Probably worth the effort. My opinion? Where else are you going to get 33 feet of boat for the kind of money you're looking at?
All the specs I've seen list the 33's ballast as 4600 pounds, both for the shoal and deep fin keels. At this point who knows. No one at Hunter does, I assure you. Whatever it is, they burnt the prints years ago. Does it matter? I don't think so. The boat will round up long before capsize becomes a problem. Besides, you're not likely to have a 33 out on the open ocean for any great voyages. Coastal cruiser? Absolutely! Ocean voyager? Only for a select few. Use it for what it was intended and you'll be ecstatic with it. If you're in an area with lots of water (like Long Island Sound)and figure on never going into an area with shallower water, go for the deeper keel. If you're like me and sail in an area where 6 feet of water is cause for celebration go for the shoal version. The difference is a bit (well, maybe more than a little bit) of pointing ability. Weak points? Nowhere near what the later boats have to offer in manufacturing and engineering goofs. Delamination of the hull appears to be rare. Ports and attendant leakage and core rot are a joke. Upper decks leak and rot where installations are done improperly. The compression post doesn't make problems. The rudder is too small. Rudder support tube nut rots away and Hunter has no replacement available. Chain plates are prone to leaking and therefore rotting of the core there, and require constant vigilance. Some complain of weak cockpit soles. Most likely caused by water entering the core via the fuel fill instalation. Uncaring glass work; sloppy but not dangerous that I've seen. My experience indicates a sturdy boat, quicker than most, that will accept loads of owner stupidity. Genoa track? Yes, I added them. 11 footers on both sides. Wasn't sure what I would end up with for sails. About 68, 1 1/4" holes in the side decks, filled with thickened epoxy. No problems with the strength or application of the installation. Probably worth the effort. My opinion? Where else are you going to get 33 feet of boat for the kind of money you're looking at?
Sam knows what he's talking about
Though it is my first boat, I'm finding through magazines/friends/threads that Sam's absolutely correct...lotta boat for the money and I'm feeling absolutely secure about my purchase safety-wise. Cockpit is a bit small for comfort, but managable. Leaking rudder posts seem to be problem for several owners (me included). Backs to port under power like no other boat I've ever driven (I do have experience there!). The toe rail arrangement for the jib/gennie doesn't really bother me too much although I'm sure I could get better performance out of her with a track. Standing water collects at the toe rail aft (this was alleviated by one owner by simply drilling some drain holes - that thread's in here somewhere). Engine compartment is tight, but engine is reliable so with proper maintenance hopefully the compartment won't have to be climbed in much! Definantly nothing to say for the "nav station", but coastal cruising...what more do you need? Pressure alcohol stove (mine at least)...not even sure if that's legal (any owners know the answer for certain there?). I'm running out of babble. Great boat for me being a first time owner and very actively using her...best of luck.
Though it is my first boat, I'm finding through magazines/friends/threads that Sam's absolutely correct...lotta boat for the money and I'm feeling absolutely secure about my purchase safety-wise. Cockpit is a bit small for comfort, but managable. Leaking rudder posts seem to be problem for several owners (me included). Backs to port under power like no other boat I've ever driven (I do have experience there!). The toe rail arrangement for the jib/gennie doesn't really bother me too much although I'm sure I could get better performance out of her with a track. Standing water collects at the toe rail aft (this was alleviated by one owner by simply drilling some drain holes - that thread's in here somewhere). Engine compartment is tight, but engine is reliable so with proper maintenance hopefully the compartment won't have to be climbed in much! Definantly nothing to say for the "nav station", but coastal cruising...what more do you need? Pressure alcohol stove (mine at least)...not even sure if that's legal (any owners know the answer for certain there?). I'm running out of babble. Great boat for me being a first time owner and very actively using her...best of luck.
Who Knows? Hunter Knows
Here is a spec sheet that came with the boat. No big mystery about keel weights. The boat had a long enough production run 78-83 that it is not possible to generalize about defects without examining a particular boat. My 79 has absolutely no problems with the rudder tube, steel just like new. Later boats may have been built of different steel. Of course any boat will leak through the deck if fittings are improperly installed. Original ports though much maligned, are definitely not a joke. They served and served well for my 79 for 21 years before being replaced -with the same ports. As far as ocean voyaging in the 33 being only for a select few that's certainly right for the H33-- and for any other boat as well. The sailor is more important than the boat for sure. H33 is a very good boat-- period.
Here is a spec sheet that came with the boat. No big mystery about keel weights. The boat had a long enough production run 78-83 that it is not possible to generalize about defects without examining a particular boat. My 79 has absolutely no problems with the rudder tube, steel just like new. Later boats may have been built of different steel. Of course any boat will leak through the deck if fittings are improperly installed. Original ports though much maligned, are definitely not a joke. They served and served well for my 79 for 21 years before being replaced -with the same ports. As far as ocean voyaging in the 33 being only for a select few that's certainly right for the H33-- and for any other boat as well. The sailor is more important than the boat for sure. H33 is a very good boat-- period.
Attachments
- Status