Saw the recent post on a 37.5 verses a 35.5 and it prompted me to write about our dilemma. We are considering the later model 33.5, (92 to 95) larger engine, rear pulpit seats, additional headroom that I need verses the 33.6 (95-96) way larger cockpit, B & R Rig, more modern below decks. I’d appreciate any comments from 33.5 and 33.6 owners about their boats to help solidify our decision. BTW, I’ll mention again, and I’d appreciate opinions on the value of standing headroom below deck, which I have on the later 33.5 but don’t have on the 33.6, 33 or 340. Many thanks…
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Justin - O'day Owners' Web
We're looking anew after only a year for headroom
Mark, Just my opinoin, but I would go for something you can stand up in. My C25 is infuriating after only a day or so aboard because of what it does to my neck. I think it worth pursuing. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Mark, Just my opinoin, but I would go for something you can stand up in. My C25 is infuriating after only a day or so aboard because of what it does to my neck. I think it worth pursuing. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
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Steve O.
headroom
The specs list the headroom as 6'-5" for the 33.5 and 6'-4" for the 336, so unless you're 6'-5" tall, that shouldn't be an issue. The cabin layout is very different on these two models, (forward head vs. aft head) and I would think that would matter more to you than 1" headroom. I personally think that the 33.5 sails better/faster, but I'm biased 'cuz I own one. My budget wouldn't bear a 336, so I bought a 33.5 at half the price and I'm very happy with it. But don't get me wrong, I do like the 336. Try to spend a few hours on each model, you should get a feel for which one would suit you better.
The specs list the headroom as 6'-5" for the 33.5 and 6'-4" for the 336, so unless you're 6'-5" tall, that shouldn't be an issue. The cabin layout is very different on these two models, (forward head vs. aft head) and I would think that would matter more to you than 1" headroom. I personally think that the 33.5 sails better/faster, but I'm biased 'cuz I own one. My budget wouldn't bear a 336, so I bought a 33.5 at half the price and I'm very happy with it. But don't get me wrong, I do like the 336. Try to spend a few hours on each model, you should get a feel for which one would suit you better.
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Mark Sunde
Yep, I'm that tall, 6'5''
Steve, Thanks for the response. I have indeed been on both boats, although on a 336 only on the hard (although I was also on a 340 on the water). And indeed at the galley/nav station, I'm bent over on a 336, although the headliner does have some give while on a 33.5 I can stand upright. We too like the 33.5, but the 336 has that great scooped out cockpit. How many do you sail with? Do you ever find the cockpit too crowded? You mention the 33.5 sails faster/better. Is this on a run or also on other points of sail? Why do you think it performs better? You also mention half the price. Looking at late model 33.5 in the $58 to $63K range, 336 for $66 to $72K. Definitely like the later 33.5 for the amidship rear bed, which at my size I also need, the larger Yanmar, the rear pulpit seats. The location of the head is not of that great of a concern unless I'm missing something, and actually do like the sink being seperate from the head. Thanks again for your input.
Steve, Thanks for the response. I have indeed been on both boats, although on a 336 only on the hard (although I was also on a 340 on the water). And indeed at the galley/nav station, I'm bent over on a 336, although the headliner does have some give while on a 33.5 I can stand upright. We too like the 33.5, but the 336 has that great scooped out cockpit. How many do you sail with? Do you ever find the cockpit too crowded? You mention the 33.5 sails faster/better. Is this on a run or also on other points of sail? Why do you think it performs better? You also mention half the price. Looking at late model 33.5 in the $58 to $63K range, 336 for $66 to $72K. Definitely like the later 33.5 for the amidship rear bed, which at my size I also need, the larger Yanmar, the rear pulpit seats. The location of the head is not of that great of a concern unless I'm missing something, and actually do like the sink being seperate from the head. Thanks again for your input.
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Marc Honey
Quality difference?
Hate to say it , although it steers you toward the model I'd prefer in your situation, but most of the owners reviews on this site relating to 33.6 really slam the lack of quality. Particularly in mounting of hardware, flimsy mounted cabinet and locker doors, anything that has a screw and/or a hinge on it. I'd lean toward the 33.5,too!
Hate to say it , although it steers you toward the model I'd prefer in your situation, but most of the owners reviews on this site relating to 33.6 really slam the lack of quality. Particularly in mounting of hardware, flimsy mounted cabinet and locker doors, anything that has a screw and/or a hinge on it. I'd lean toward the 33.5,too!
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Bob Gomling
33,5 vs.336
We have a 1997 336 Hull #272, we bought her new. I have found none of the problems mentioned by others in the quality or workmanship. Granted the quality and fit of the wood joinery isn't that of a Pacific Yacht or other boat costing many many thousands more, But I find nothing bad or shoddy about the boat. When you are sitting at anchor or at a dock and four or six or more people want to join you for conversation or whatever, you will really appreciate the large oval cockpit, as well as entering and exiting the boat via the stern and you just have to walk around the wheel and not climb over or onto a seat cushion. Although I have not had the pleasure of sailing a 33.5, I can assure you that the 336 is no slug as evidenced by the second and third place plaques hanging below.
We have a 1997 336 Hull #272, we bought her new. I have found none of the problems mentioned by others in the quality or workmanship. Granted the quality and fit of the wood joinery isn't that of a Pacific Yacht or other boat costing many many thousands more, But I find nothing bad or shoddy about the boat. When you are sitting at anchor or at a dock and four or six or more people want to join you for conversation or whatever, you will really appreciate the large oval cockpit, as well as entering and exiting the boat via the stern and you just have to walk around the wheel and not climb over or onto a seat cushion. Although I have not had the pleasure of sailing a 33.5, I can assure you that the 336 is no slug as evidenced by the second and third place plaques hanging below.
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Tim Schaaf
Full speed a-head
Sail hard in rough going, particularly to weather, and you will really appreciate a head that is located aft!
Sail hard in rough going, particularly to weather, and you will really appreciate a head that is located aft!
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pete
336 /33.5
I own a 336 (1996) and do not have the "poor quality" as mentioned in the other post, I also think the cockpit design is better designed for ease of use (i.e. guest and stern entry). Mine sails good and has been a very reliable boat I would not hesitate to recomend a 336 to anyone I'm sure the 33.5 is also a good boat so I would just go with personal preference and what ever your pocketbook will bear.
I own a 336 (1996) and do not have the "poor quality" as mentioned in the other post, I also think the cockpit design is better designed for ease of use (i.e. guest and stern entry). Mine sails good and has been a very reliable boat I would not hesitate to recomend a 336 to anyone I'm sure the 33.5 is also a good boat so I would just go with personal preference and what ever your pocketbook will bear.
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Gary Wyngarden
Prefer the 335
I chartered a 335 for a week. Later I chartered a 336 for a long weekend and then for a two week trip up the coast of British Columbia. Then I bought a 335 (1992) which I really love. I liked the below decks configuration of the 336 better as well as the cockpit layout. What I didn't like as well was the way it sailed. I found the very large main difficult to handle. The main on my 335 is much easier to raise, reef, and douse. I have a jib, two genoas, and an assymetrical spinnaker and so have a lot of sail configuration options. I'm very pleased with the quality of the boat. As far as headroom, I'm 6'2" and my son is 6' 5". Neither of us has any difficulty standing below. One thing I wish I had is the stern rail seats found on the 335 beginning in 1993. They really open up the cockpit. I didn't find the after market option available on this web site to my liking. They are both good boats. Good luck! Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
I chartered a 335 for a week. Later I chartered a 336 for a long weekend and then for a two week trip up the coast of British Columbia. Then I bought a 335 (1992) which I really love. I liked the below decks configuration of the 336 better as well as the cockpit layout. What I didn't like as well was the way it sailed. I found the very large main difficult to handle. The main on my 335 is much easier to raise, reef, and douse. I have a jib, two genoas, and an assymetrical spinnaker and so have a lot of sail configuration options. I'm very pleased with the quality of the boat. As far as headroom, I'm 6'2" and my son is 6' 5". Neither of us has any difficulty standing below. One thing I wish I had is the stern rail seats found on the 335 beginning in 1993. They really open up the cockpit. I didn't find the after market option available on this web site to my liking. They are both good boats. Good luck! Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
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Steve O.
33.5
I sail with a crew of four and find plenty of room in the cockpit for all. I do miss the stern rail seats and full walk-thru transom. I have never sailed a 336 so I really shouldn't have commented on her sailing characteristcs, I was only passing on what I had heard from someone who had sailed both. My boat is an '88 model so thats why I commented on the price being half of a 336. The 336 is more modern and has more creature comforts if you want to pay more. They are both nice boats, just try to spend some time on both and get a feel for the one that would suit you best.
I sail with a crew of four and find plenty of room in the cockpit for all. I do miss the stern rail seats and full walk-thru transom. I have never sailed a 336 so I really shouldn't have commented on her sailing characteristcs, I was only passing on what I had heard from someone who had sailed both. My boat is an '88 model so thats why I commented on the price being half of a 336. The 336 is more modern and has more creature comforts if you want to pay more. They are both nice boats, just try to spend some time on both and get a feel for the one that would suit you best.
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Jon Petersen
Also prefer the 33.5
I purchased a 1993 33.5 new and have been very happy with it.. I am about to take a year off and my wife and I are going to live aboard for that year. We looked at older 33.5's and the 1993 and up are the best of the lot.. Hunter keep on improving them. I don't miss the below deck configuration.. but I would like the round cockpit. But just try sitting in the cockpit on a good heal with your feet bracing on what? I like the head split on the 33.5 but again on an all day sail to windward, an aft head is nice. But I have not found it to be a problem. I am 5'3" so head room is not a problem and raising the main sail easy for my 130 pound body. I can sail the boat by myself.. both are great boats.
I purchased a 1993 33.5 new and have been very happy with it.. I am about to take a year off and my wife and I are going to live aboard for that year. We looked at older 33.5's and the 1993 and up are the best of the lot.. Hunter keep on improving them. I don't miss the below deck configuration.. but I would like the round cockpit. But just try sitting in the cockpit on a good heal with your feet bracing on what? I like the head split on the 33.5 but again on an all day sail to windward, an aft head is nice. But I have not found it to be a problem. I am 5'3" so head room is not a problem and raising the main sail easy for my 130 pound body. I can sail the boat by myself.. both are great boats.
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Slow Willy
33.5/336
There is no doubt about it, the 33.5 is faster going to weather. PHRF rates the 33.5 at 141 and the 336 at 159. The 18 seconds/mi difference in rating translates into 6 boatlengths/mi at 5knots of boatspeed. Upwind the difference is probably greater since the 336 should reach faster with its slightly longer waterline. Even if you never race the boat, faster is almost always better.
There is no doubt about it, the 33.5 is faster going to weather. PHRF rates the 33.5 at 141 and the 336 at 159. The 18 seconds/mi difference in rating translates into 6 boatlengths/mi at 5knots of boatspeed. Upwind the difference is probably greater since the 336 should reach faster with its slightly longer waterline. Even if you never race the boat, faster is almost always better.
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