H33 purchase

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BruceK

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Jul 26, 2005
74
Hunter 33 Portland, ME
I am close to trading up from a 1994 H30T to an 08 H33 fin keel w/mariner package....I need to know the "down and dirty" scoop on this boat so I go in with eyes wide open...any advice appreciated!
 
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Jun 4, 2004
1,087
Mainship Piliot 34 Punta Gorda
Why?

How much more fun will you have with 3 more feet? Is this hugh investment worth it? I can understand a 10' increase if you are living aboard or going on long cruises but tens of thousands for 3 feet? Maybe you could use the extra cash to charter ever year in far away places.
 
Sep 25, 2008
7,509
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
As of this morning, there were 14 separate owner reviews posted here under the Boat Info/Hunter Knowledge Base tab. If you need supplemental info, I'd suggest you contact one or more of the owners who were kind enough to provide their thoughts.
 

BruceK

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Jul 26, 2005
74
Hunter 33 Portland, ME
Dennis...this has been a long process, but upgrading my beloved 30T(I have had two) to suit the Admiral, particularly self refeeing main, and some other upgrades, as well as some extremely aggressive pricing and a good trade in....has me really thinking...
 

BruceK

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Jul 26, 2005
74
Hunter 33 Portland, ME
Don...they all on older models, and pretty much self reassurances...I need some dirt.
 
Jul 24, 2005
261
MacGregor Mac26D Richardson, TX; Dana Point, CA
Perhaps comment on where you are going? What you might want for a weekend may not be the same a 3-6 months in the Carib. It's not the "feet longer" that fixes the problems you consider that you have....

--jerry
 
Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Nice Boat

I first looked at the newer 33 to upgrade from my 2001 290 for the same reasons you want to up grade.
I wanted the In-Mast reefing and windlass,AC and more comfort for when sleeping out on the boat.
We looked at the 33 and the other Hunters at some Boat Shows for a few years before deciding to make the move and buy.
I decided on the 33 for the wrong reasons which was the price because I was retiring in a year,my wife said no to the 33 because it was not much bigger than our 290,the bathroom was smaller and the rear berth was not much better,she said she wanted the 36 and that's what we got in 2007 and we love it and have no regrets because it is perfect size for us.
Everyone buys a boat for different reasons to fit their type of sailing,we all have different life styles.
I did get my 36 pretty much loaded with what we thought was important so my wife will enjoy going sailing as much as I do.
I have heard nothing but good things about the 33 and you and your other
half will enjoy it I am sure.
Nick
 

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Sep 20, 2006
2,952
Hunter 33 Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada
Don...they all on older models, and pretty much self reassurances...I need some dirt.

I don't know what kind of dirt you're looking for. The current model has been around since 2004. Most if all the bugs would be ironed out by now. The reviews where helpful when we were buying ours, a 2005, bought last year. Only issue we had was the Yanmar overheating, which was fixed by Yanmar and corrected after 2005 in production.

Things we don't like on the boat is lack of floor space in the aft cabin, a slightly small head and no drawers in the galley, but what it is a lot of boat for the size. It handles well, is fairly quick, but lacks pointing without battens, although for cruising I seldom notice. Sailing is easy with the traveller and jib sheets at the helm and the main at the front of the cockpit. Cocokpit gets a little tight with more than 2 on board and can get frustrating with 4-6 when trying to get to the main lines.

Cabin space is great for 2, a little tight with the 4 of us onboard for a four day weekend, ( daughter 14 & son 17 ) but we had a blast and survived.

Like I said don't know what dirt you're looking for. Right now they're probably not selling like hotcakes, so make an offer and see if they bite.
 
Mar 20, 2004
1,746
Hunter 356 and 216 Portland, ME
I am close to trading up from a 1994 H30T to an 08 H33 fin keel w/mariner package....I need to know the "down and dirty" scoop on this boat so I go in with eyes wide open...any advice appreciated!
If the admiral wants the 33, just buy it! As has been mentioned, the issues that early 33's had with the yanmar have been corrected, and you'll have much more interior space and higher quality acommodations. the 2 33 owners I know love their boats and have sailed them extensively in Maine conditions. the only thing I would question is Hunter's warranty IF the new 2008 33 has the composite iron/lead keel.
 
Oct 29, 2005
2,363
Hunter Marine 326 303 Singapore
If the admiral wants the 33, just buy it! As has been mentioned, the issues that early 33's had with the yanmar have been corrected, and you'll have much more interior space and higher quality acommodations. the 2 33 owners I know love their boats and have sailed them extensively in Maine conditions. the only thing I would question is Hunter's warranty IF the new 2008 33 has the composite iron/lead keel.
"If the admiral wants the 33, just buy it!" I second that. I bought a wash machine for my home, against the admiral's choice and I've had her nagging me ever since whenever the machine acts up alittle. Her bark is as bad as her bite. So finally the next machine I let her choose. When it did breaks down, not a sound from her ! 'cos its her choice. BTW, my friend has the H33 with in-mast furling. It wasn't as fast as my H326 with full batten mains. He has larger saloon area and I've spacious cockpit. :dance:
 
Mar 20, 2004
1,746
Hunter 356 and 216 Portland, ME
"If the admiral wants the 33, just buy it!" I second that. I bought a wash machine for my home, against the admiral's choice and I've had her nagging me ever since whenever the machine acts up alittle. Her bark is as bad as her bite. So finally the next machine I let her choose. When it did breaks down, not a sound from her ! 'cos its her choice. BTW, my friend has the H33 with in-mast furling. It wasn't as fast as my H326 with full batten mains. He has larger saloon area and I've spacious cockpit. :dance:
Ken,
Disclaimer, first-Bruce and the admiral are fellow members of the Maine Hunter Sailing Association, so we sail together. Good comments on in-mast- our inmast has been trouble free, but you do lose power compared to a large roach, full batten main. we've gone to a larger jib and a larger maylar main to compensate, but I think our next rig will be a full batten boom furling instead
 

BruceK

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Jul 26, 2005
74
Hunter 33 Portland, ME
Well...the H33 is a done deal, and the H30 now belongs to a fine Canadian gentleman...I did opt for the full vertical battens for a little better predicted performance...
 
Sep 20, 2006
2,952
Hunter 33 Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada
Hey Bruce, congratulations. Nice boat, I know you'll enjoy it.
 
Mar 20, 2004
1,746
Hunter 356 and 216 Portland, ME
Congrats! We're looking forward to sailing with you this summer!..150 days and counting!
 
Oct 6, 2008
35
Hunter 33 St. Augustine
BruceK,

I bought my 2006 H33 new and haven't regretted it at all. I have the 30YM and the M-package and have made many upgrades. I cruise up and down the east coast of Florida to the Keys, mostly outside, but occasionally in the ICW. This boat is very comfortable for two adults and two children or three adults but does get a little crowded at four adults.

The longest I have cruised with three adults have been 25 days and it worked fine. The aft cabin floor space is tight but everything else is roomy for a 33' sailboat. I have friends with 35 footers (won't mention what two) and the floor space is almost identical. The difference was in the head, which is tight on the H33, and storage.

The best part of the H33 in Florida cruising is it can just about get into any location. As some of you know the ICW in the south can be challenging at low tide, depending on your location. It also handles the open ocean pretty well even in rougher water (haven't done anything rougher than 4 to 6' seas). Overall it's been a great coastal and Keys cruiser. Going to try it through the Bahamas later this year.

Good luck and I know you will enjoy it.

Jim P.
 
Oct 29, 2005
2,363
Hunter Marine 326 303 Singapore
BruceK,
A belated Congrats on your new H33.
I'm interested to know how your vertical batten In-Mast furling mains works out and perform. You said its full vertical batten, meaning its from boom to the roach ?
Does it ever jam when furling in or out ?
 
Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
H-33

I have the H-36 and and really first started looking at the buying the H-33.
I was moving up from my Hunter-290 and wanted InMast,windless,AC,the only reason we did not get the H-33 was we felt the bathroom was smaller than the bathroom on our 290,we wanted a larger bathroom for showering,and than started looking at used 356.
The real reason we went for the 36 was my wife did really like it's complete setup
and the dealer gave us a great trade in on my 290 and a great price for the H-36 with all the extra's.
The H-33 is a great boat.
Nick
 
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