I am thinking of purchasing a Hunter 33, '78-83 model. I like the headroom and having the head aft seems to me a novel idea. I would like to sail the Chesapeake, and cruise to New England some summer. Then one winter cruise to Florida and ? Would this be an appropriate boat for such dream? Provided the one I get is sound of course. What experiences have you folks had with this model? Is she easy to sail? Single hand? Is she tender? Wha design flaws are there? What should I look out for? Julie
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Great Choice!
I just purchased a shoal draft 1978 model in June and I absolutely love the boat. The winches are reachable from the helm which is very beneficial to me as, most often the people I have aboard are very inexperienced. The aft head is a big plus. The interior layout could not be better for a boat of that age. Performance wise, the boat can be initially tender but stiffens up around 10 to 15 degrees of heel. It points extremely well to weather and the 27'1" waterline length is very generous. I think that for the type of sailing that you plan to do, the Cherubini designed Hunter 33 will serve you well.
I just purchased a shoal draft 1978 model in June and I absolutely love the boat. The winches are reachable from the helm which is very beneficial to me as, most often the people I have aboard are very inexperienced. The aft head is a big plus. The interior layout could not be better for a boat of that age. Performance wise, the boat can be initially tender but stiffens up around 10 to 15 degrees of heel. It points extremely well to weather and the 27'1" waterline length is very generous. I think that for the type of sailing that you plan to do, the Cherubini designed Hunter 33 will serve you well.
Very seaworthy boat
According to his son, a member of this site, John Cherubini, the designer of the Hunters in the 70's, the h33 was the "queen of the series." The design is easily blue water capable, so it will support any of your planned uses, and more. Of course, check the reviews on this website. They report easy single handing, and high satisfaction If you like it, and the survey checks out, good luck with a great boat! David Lady Lillie
According to his son, a member of this site, John Cherubini, the designer of the Hunters in the 70's, the h33 was the "queen of the series." The design is easily blue water capable, so it will support any of your planned uses, and more. Of course, check the reviews on this website. They report easy single handing, and high satisfaction If you like it, and the survey checks out, good luck with a great boat! David Lady Lillie
82 Hunter 33
Great Boat, love my '82 shoal draft Hunter 33, have had it for 2 years now... Next year plan on cruising the West coast of Florida, Keys, Bahamas & Caribbean??...In the process of upgrading to extended coastal cruising...I'm confident that this is a capable cruiser...Sails very well, set up for single handling... Good Luck... PL
Great Boat, love my '82 shoal draft Hunter 33, have had it for 2 years now... Next year plan on cruising the West coast of Florida, Keys, Bahamas & Caribbean??...In the process of upgrading to extended coastal cruising...I'm confident that this is a capable cruiser...Sails very well, set up for single handling... Good Luck... PL
H33 character
Every boat is a compromise but 6 years of sailing my 79 H33 has made me appreciate just what a fine solution the H33 represents. First it can be a capable off shore boat. I have sailed bay horse on a passage for as much as two nights and parts of three days with three aboard comfortably. Second, It single hands very well indeed with mainsheet and jib winches accessible to the helmsman. With an autopilot, I single hand more often than not. Third, it is fast. Properly sailed, the H33 never embarasses. Fourth, it has a mast height of 47'-3" and draft (shoal draft 4') that allows it to go pretty much anywhere on the inland waterway system. I expect that as long as I have a boat, it will be this one.
Every boat is a compromise but 6 years of sailing my 79 H33 has made me appreciate just what a fine solution the H33 represents. First it can be a capable off shore boat. I have sailed bay horse on a passage for as much as two nights and parts of three days with three aboard comfortably. Second, It single hands very well indeed with mainsheet and jib winches accessible to the helmsman. With an autopilot, I single hand more often than not. Third, it is fast. Properly sailed, the H33 never embarasses. Fourth, it has a mast height of 47'-3" and draft (shoal draft 4') that allows it to go pretty much anywhere on the inland waterway system. I expect that as long as I have a boat, it will be this one.
Wow What a vote of confidence
I hope that if I do get this boat I am as pleased with her as you all have been with yours.
I hope that if I do get this boat I am as pleased with her as you all have been with yours.
81 H33, The first year
At the end of the first season with Cynosure (a deep (5'3") draft 1981 H33)I have very few issues and NO regrets. She goes upwind like a witch,is nimble and light on the helm. The boat is stable and even when sailed at "excessive" angles of heel she is well behaved. (Sometimes you know you should reef but it's too much fun.) Other than wishing that the V berth was a litte larger we love the layout, the aft head is great and the "Swiss Army Knife" table either extends the galley work area or comfortably seats 2 or 4 for dinner. Seriously, we love the boat and plan a long term relationship with it.
At the end of the first season with Cynosure (a deep (5'3") draft 1981 H33)I have very few issues and NO regrets. She goes upwind like a witch,is nimble and light on the helm. The boat is stable and even when sailed at "excessive" angles of heel she is well behaved. (Sometimes you know you should reef but it's too much fun.) Other than wishing that the V berth was a litte larger we love the layout, the aft head is great and the "Swiss Army Knife" table either extends the galley work area or comfortably seats 2 or 4 for dinner. Seriously, we love the boat and plan a long term relationship with it.
82 H33
One of the big reasons I bought my 33 a few years ago was seeing the comments and support on this board. Lots of info in the archives, you just need to look. IMO, it seems the owners of 33's really like their boats. Things to look for include: Gate valves should be replaced with seacocks Damage from leaking ports - good article in the photo forum on rebedding ports 20+ year old boat so will need to check a lot of things: hoses, standing rigging Just get a good survey and you should be fine
One of the big reasons I bought my 33 a few years ago was seeing the comments and support on this board. Lots of info in the archives, you just need to look. IMO, it seems the owners of 33's really like their boats. Things to look for include: Gate valves should be replaced with seacocks Damage from leaking ports - good article in the photo forum on rebedding ports 20+ year old boat so will need to check a lot of things: hoses, standing rigging Just get a good survey and you should be fine
79 H33 great boat
We have had our 79 h33 for about 4 years and I have no regrets and would buy it again. Mine is a shoal draft but it helps on the west coast of Fl. It sails very well and is in my opinion a fast boat. It is the best looking sailboat you will find anywhere (again my opinion) We have made a few offshore trips. One last april where we went from Tampa bay straight to the Dry Tortugas (check the archives for picture and story). We pushed this old boat pretty hard for two days going down and again on the return trip in 20-25 kt winds and she did great. Get someone that knows what they are doing to survey . By the way my boat has never had a blister.
We have had our 79 h33 for about 4 years and I have no regrets and would buy it again. Mine is a shoal draft but it helps on the west coast of Fl. It sails very well and is in my opinion a fast boat. It is the best looking sailboat you will find anywhere (again my opinion) We have made a few offshore trips. One last april where we went from Tampa bay straight to the Dry Tortugas (check the archives for picture and story). We pushed this old boat pretty hard for two days going down and again on the return trip in 20-25 kt winds and she did great. Get someone that knows what they are doing to survey . By the way my boat has never had a blister.
Agree with Ron
I agree with Ron that, on any boat of this vintage, stuff has to be seriously inspected and probably replaced. My rule is, as with an older car, replace everything rubber. That's hoses, belts, and all associated hose clamps, everywhere they are found. If the seacocks give you any hassle at all, replace them. I prefer Forespar Marelon ones-- plastic is NOT just for little boats any more! I don't know who conceived of the interior for that boat; I only know my dad drew the drawings. It might have been me-- I was a frustrated residential designer in those days and was always looking for variety. I especially like the way the stateroom forward opens right onto the main cabin-- I don't know why; I just do. The head aft allows for a decent shower. It does mean there is wasted space under the cockpit seat lockers then that could have been a quarter berth. The H-33 is one of the best ones who the whole bunch. About the only thing better performing for the same money would be a Raider 33, and the Raider is extremely rare now and becoming more prized by the year. The Hunter 33 is a real sailing boat, nor a liveaboard condo with sails. Use and sail it well. It will not let you down. As for the question of whether or not it is a good boat to buy, I think that question has been answered. Your next decision is what to name it. JC 2
I agree with Ron that, on any boat of this vintage, stuff has to be seriously inspected and probably replaced. My rule is, as with an older car, replace everything rubber. That's hoses, belts, and all associated hose clamps, everywhere they are found. If the seacocks give you any hassle at all, replace them. I prefer Forespar Marelon ones-- plastic is NOT just for little boats any more! I don't know who conceived of the interior for that boat; I only know my dad drew the drawings. It might have been me-- I was a frustrated residential designer in those days and was always looking for variety. I especially like the way the stateroom forward opens right onto the main cabin-- I don't know why; I just do. The head aft allows for a decent shower. It does mean there is wasted space under the cockpit seat lockers then that could have been a quarter berth. The H-33 is one of the best ones who the whole bunch. About the only thing better performing for the same money would be a Raider 33, and the Raider is extremely rare now and becoming more prized by the year. The Hunter 33 is a real sailing boat, nor a liveaboard condo with sails. Use and sail it well. It will not let you down. As for the question of whether or not it is a good boat to buy, I think that question has been answered. Your next decision is what to name it. JC 2
Ditto!
I'll jump in too! We just bought a '79 this past year and LOVE it!! We moved up from a Catalina 27 since we needed the space and want to do more extended sailing (we're between Lake Erie and Huron). Our survey showed small pimple blisters along the waterline and one small area of delamination near the forward strbd stantion, other than that she got a clean bill of health. She is a joy to sail and holds her course very well, I'm often amazed when I let go if the wheel and she continues on the same course. It's truly sad that she's on a cradle freezing her transom off but Spring is right around the corner, right??
I'll jump in too! We just bought a '79 this past year and LOVE it!! We moved up from a Catalina 27 since we needed the space and want to do more extended sailing (we're between Lake Erie and Huron). Our survey showed small pimple blisters along the waterline and one small area of delamination near the forward strbd stantion, other than that she got a clean bill of health. She is a joy to sail and holds her course very well, I'm often amazed when I let go if the wheel and she continues on the same course. It's truly sad that she's on a cradle freezing her transom off but Spring is right around the corner, right??
A little down side
Since, you asked for the good & bad, I'll first say that my 1980 33 is as good a boat as all the others have said. The only downside I have found is the rudder being longer than the shoal draft keel (some say it isn't, but when the stearn is loaded with sailors the rudder is the first to hit gound) Please take a look in the archives for bent rudders and the like on Hunter 33. I had mine cut down by 7" and then added 7" on the trailing edge of the rudder. If anything it handles better. I have sailed on the Chesapeake and know the water is even thinner than Florida's Gulf. If you see the boat out of the water check that the rudder post is not bent and give some thought to protecting the rudder.
Since, you asked for the good & bad, I'll first say that my 1980 33 is as good a boat as all the others have said. The only downside I have found is the rudder being longer than the shoal draft keel (some say it isn't, but when the stearn is loaded with sailors the rudder is the first to hit gound) Please take a look in the archives for bent rudders and the like on Hunter 33. I had mine cut down by 7" and then added 7" on the trailing edge of the rudder. If anything it handles better. I have sailed on the Chesapeake and know the water is even thinner than Florida's Gulf. If you see the boat out of the water check that the rudder post is not bent and give some thought to protecting the rudder.
Shaved rudder
My boat had a new Foss rudder put on by the previous owner and was also cut down to help protect it since I have a shoal draft. I am not sure how much was taken off but no additional tabs were put on the trailing edge and it seems to have plenty of steerage under all of the conditions we have been in.
My boat had a new Foss rudder put on by the previous owner and was also cut down to help protect it since I have a shoal draft. I am not sure how much was taken off but no additional tabs were put on the trailing edge and it seems to have plenty of steerage under all of the conditions we have been in.
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