Ahhhh, the Buccaneers
Hi folks..
I am the owner of a 1978 Peterson 33, (technically a Buccaneer 333)currently for sale on Craig's List. Having owned it for over nine years, I am admittedly biased, and have enjoyed countless hours in Puget Sound near Seattle, considered by many to be one of the sailing capitals of the planet.....but I nonetheless agree that it was NOT built with the overall integrity of a Catalina or Hunter, etc.
I do wish the hull was slightly stronger, and with the interior having more of a "finished" look, (as opposed to bare fiberglass visible under cushions, etc.) It was built with racing in mind and has all the necessary equipment to accomplish just that, with tall double-spreader rig, rod rigging, deep 6-foot fin keel, 5-foot spade rudder,and a displacement of 9000lbs (4500 ballast). It points like a banshee, and actually won the World's 3/4 ton trophy in 1978 in its class.
Without doubt, a good number of Bayliner/US Marine built boats of this era looked as well as sailed like footballs...the 24 being the prime example. I would say, however, that the 295,305,333, and the 40 are good examples of design and performance. I lived comfortably on mine for almost 5 years, and with the 'Peterson' badge attached to particular models, I would feel confident in buying another boat from this time period.