Help me please...I need honest reviews on a 33' Beneteau and 33' Hunter both are brand new. Which one would you buy and why?
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thanks for your response kevin
thanks for your response Kevin I am having a real tough time deciding. I like them both so I am still undecided.
thanks for your response Kevin I am having a real tough time deciding. I like them both so I am still undecided.
Hunter 33
Candy, I bought the new Hunter 33. I feel it's a well put together vessal that will fit the needs of my young family for day trips and some coastal cruising. My broker and Hunter dealer has attended to all of my needs through the purchase process and have presented me with what I think is a very fair deal. That being said, having the chance to really compare at least the Hunters appearance and deck layout to the Beneteaus and Catalinas at the recent Atlantic City boat show, I know for sure that mine and my wifes decision to buy a Hunter was exactly the correct one for us. Feel free to e-mail me off the forum at jpmofmt@comcast.net if you have any further questions. Good luck. John Marrotta
Candy, I bought the new Hunter 33. I feel it's a well put together vessal that will fit the needs of my young family for day trips and some coastal cruising. My broker and Hunter dealer has attended to all of my needs through the purchase process and have presented me with what I think is a very fair deal. That being said, having the chance to really compare at least the Hunters appearance and deck layout to the Beneteaus and Catalinas at the recent Atlantic City boat show, I know for sure that mine and my wifes decision to buy a Hunter was exactly the correct one for us. Feel free to e-mail me off the forum at jpmofmt@comcast.net if you have any further questions. Good luck. John Marrotta
Both Are Beautiful Boats
We gave them both a close inspection at the AC Sail Expo. After spending half the morning on the Hunter, my wife pretended to want to buy it. Maybe she wasn't pretending but we both really liked the layout, profile, cockpit and rigging. The well equipped show boat special looked really good at $91,000. Glenn
We gave them both a close inspection at the AC Sail Expo. After spending half the morning on the Hunter, my wife pretended to want to buy it. Maybe she wasn't pretending but we both really liked the layout, profile, cockpit and rigging. The well equipped show boat special looked really good at $91,000. Glenn
hunter 33
WE love our 2001 290 hunter and if we weren't trying to retire early we would buy the hunter. My wife really loves the whole lay out of the 33 it gives that extra room that my 290 doesn't offer,I like the above deck lay out and my wife likes the rear berth and salon and kitchen also ,good luck and enjoy your new boat we love our hunter. nick
WE love our 2001 290 hunter and if we weren't trying to retire early we would buy the hunter. My wife really loves the whole lay out of the 33 it gives that extra room that my 290 doesn't offer,I like the above deck lay out and my wife likes the rear berth and salon and kitchen also ,good luck and enjoy your new boat we love our hunter. nick
Hunter for sure
Fellow in opposite slip bought a Beneteau 33 and had to have them replace the entire engine because the transmission failed. It had plastic parts. Then it failed again and had to be replaced. What's wrong with this picture...
Fellow in opposite slip bought a Beneteau 33 and had to have them replace the entire engine because the transmission failed. It had plastic parts. Then it failed again and had to be replaced. What's wrong with this picture...
I hate to say this...
as I said, they are both good boats. If it helps though I would say that when I purchased my 2001 H320 my slipmate also purchased a 32-33 foot Beneteau. I have had absolutely no problems...the workmanship on my Hunter is excellent and everything has worked as expected...however, my neighbor has had numereous problems including a misaligned drive shaft which caused his boat to nearly sink. It seems that the warranty guys are on his boat more than he is on his boat. He may just have a lemmon? Personally I like the fit and finish of the Hunter better than the Beneteau but that is personal preference. I would ask your Marina manager...my manager didn't even have to think about it...he said "buy the Hunter"! ps: if you are entertaining much the "hot-tub-like" cockpit of the Hunter is the only way to go!
as I said, they are both good boats. If it helps though I would say that when I purchased my 2001 H320 my slipmate also purchased a 32-33 foot Beneteau. I have had absolutely no problems...the workmanship on my Hunter is excellent and everything has worked as expected...however, my neighbor has had numereous problems including a misaligned drive shaft which caused his boat to nearly sink. It seems that the warranty guys are on his boat more than he is on his boat. He may just have a lemmon? Personally I like the fit and finish of the Hunter better than the Beneteau but that is personal preference. I would ask your Marina manager...my manager didn't even have to think about it...he said "buy the Hunter"! ps: if you are entertaining much the "hot-tub-like" cockpit of the Hunter is the only way to go!
Bill. Plastic parts in a transmission??
What engine was in that boat? What transmission? And I have never heard of replacing an entire engine because a tranny failed.
What engine was in that boat? What transmission? And I have never heard of replacing an entire engine because a tranny failed.
Good point
Great question...buy only Yanmar! You don't want the volvo which may be in the Beneteau!
Great question...buy only Yanmar! You don't want the volvo which may be in the Beneteau!
One is American,One is french
The Hunter is a American owned boat company,the other is french owned. (I know both are made here in the USA). After france's shameful way it acted about Iraq and its crying after the fact that it was being cut out of any rebuilding efforts (duh!) I don't buy anything french !(even there whine!)Buy the Hunter and keep your American made dollar here and get a better boat ! No Brainer choice ! IMO the Hunter is a better boat anyway ! If I have offended any one with this too bad and yes,I know I should have capatlized the "f"s.
The Hunter is a American owned boat company,the other is french owned. (I know both are made here in the USA). After france's shameful way it acted about Iraq and its crying after the fact that it was being cut out of any rebuilding efforts (duh!) I don't buy anything french !(even there whine!)Buy the Hunter and keep your American made dollar here and get a better boat ! No Brainer choice ! IMO the Hunter is a better boat anyway ! If I have offended any one with this too bad and yes,I know I should have capatlized the "f"s.
Iron Keel?
It's fairly common for budget priced foreign boats to be made with iron keels. That would be a deal breaker for me, so I would at least try to find out what Beneteau is using these days.
It's fairly common for budget priced foreign boats to be made with iron keels. That would be a deal breaker for me, so I would at least try to find out what Beneteau is using these days.
Lots of research available (+)
Candy, when we were in your shoes looking at different boats, we found there is a lot of info out there that--boat reviews, etc. Some will tell you that magazine reviews are biased by advertising revenue, but I haven't found much to substantiate that claim. "Practical Sailor" is one source that has a great many reviews available, and they don't accept advertising. Spinsheet is another good source. In any case, I agree with Kevin, look at several different examples of the boats you're interested in--one of them will speak to you--maybe even a brand you haven't thought about yet. Enjoy the search, and best of luck!! Oh, and on a personal note, I wouldn't lose too much sleep over the French manufacturing thing...the same logic would seem to support avoiding Hunters, since Hunter was founded/is currently owned by German immigrants...can't be too careful these days LOL! ;-) Of course, you might get one of the Beneteaus where the missing WMD are being stored....;-)
Candy, when we were in your shoes looking at different boats, we found there is a lot of info out there that--boat reviews, etc. Some will tell you that magazine reviews are biased by advertising revenue, but I haven't found much to substantiate that claim. "Practical Sailor" is one source that has a great many reviews available, and they don't accept advertising. Spinsheet is another good source. In any case, I agree with Kevin, look at several different examples of the boats you're interested in--one of them will speak to you--maybe even a brand you haven't thought about yet. Enjoy the search, and best of luck!! Oh, and on a personal note, I wouldn't lose too much sleep over the French manufacturing thing...the same logic would seem to support avoiding Hunters, since Hunter was founded/is currently owned by German immigrants...can't be too careful these days LOL! ;-) Of course, you might get one of the Beneteaus where the missing WMD are being stored....;-)
It's all about your intended use
...not the boats. You're going to find roughly similar construction methods and components in the two boats, so it really comes down to design. Figure out how you intend to use the boat (weekends on a lake with lots of family, shorthanded sailing in protected salt water, longer voyages down the coast, parties at the dock) then find one that suits the need. Neither boat is inherently better than the other until you apply that filter.
...not the boats. You're going to find roughly similar construction methods and components in the two boats, so it really comes down to design. Figure out how you intend to use the boat (weekends on a lake with lots of family, shorthanded sailing in protected salt water, longer voyages down the coast, parties at the dock) then find one that suits the need. Neither boat is inherently better than the other until you apply that filter.
comparison
Both builders do a pretty good job. That said, Hunter seems to use better higher quality components and materials on thier boats. The lead keel, kevlar hull reinforcment and Selden rig are but some examples. The fit and finish of some of the structural parts also seems to be better on the Hunter. I've heard of some issues with the engine beds in the B boats not being installed properly which makes the job of engine alignment more time consuming. I don't think it's a big deal but, if true, it does makes life harder on the dealer when they commission the boat. On the down side you usually pay a little more for the Hunter.
Both builders do a pretty good job. That said, Hunter seems to use better higher quality components and materials on thier boats. The lead keel, kevlar hull reinforcment and Selden rig are but some examples. The fit and finish of some of the structural parts also seems to be better on the Hunter. I've heard of some issues with the engine beds in the B boats not being installed properly which makes the job of engine alignment more time consuming. I don't think it's a big deal but, if true, it does makes life harder on the dealer when they commission the boat. On the down side you usually pay a little more for the Hunter.
I really like the new Hunter 33 but the new
Beneteau 33 is nice to! I like the toe rail offer by Beneteau. I like the roomy cabin of the Hunter and the outside lines. Hunter tend to leak from the cabin top. The cabin top windows in the Beneteau look much better constructed. This is a big deal because they are hard to repair correctly. A leaky boat smells and is very uncomfortable to sit in when it rains.
Beneteau 33 is nice to! I like the toe rail offer by Beneteau. I like the roomy cabin of the Hunter and the outside lines. Hunter tend to leak from the cabin top. The cabin top windows in the Beneteau look much better constructed. This is a big deal because they are hard to repair correctly. A leaky boat smells and is very uncomfortable to sit in when it rains.
Love Beneteaus, but. . .
see my H33 thread on the Hunter Owner's site(Related Link). I am showing one at the Cleveland boat show and it is the hit there. One couple just bought our H306 after seeing the Beneteau 33, said it had more room. Be sure to sail both. And as others have said, buy what you like.
see my H33 thread on the Hunter Owner's site(Related Link). I am showing one at the Cleveland boat show and it is the hit there. One couple just bought our H306 after seeing the Beneteau 33, said it had more room. Be sure to sail both. And as others have said, buy what you like.
What about the sailing qualities of theses boat
Are they both new? It seems like Hunter is changing the designs of the hulls and boats every other year. And beneteau is not too far behind. Wasn't the H356 one of the top BOTY a few years back. Why did hunter get rid of that model and now have a H36? If it was that great of a boat why did they change it, even a little change to the hull and rigging will change its sailing characteristics. Nobody mentions how well these boats sail in varying conditions. Yeah we all want a nice "dock side condo", but what really matters is the type of sailing you do and what the boat is best designed for. Is it a speed deamon that is on its ear above 14knots of winds and needs to be reefed early and scares the bejeezeus out of guests or is it a stable platform for heavier winds and seas, but slow when the winds drop below 6knots. What about the way its rigged, does the H33 have the B&R rig? Makes it difficult for efficient downwind sailing without an assym hard to really let out the main which is the big driver on the boat) I know you can't have it all and these are production boats, but sometimes we all lose sight of some of the important things on a boat. As far as things that break or don't break on a boat, we have to all remember these are handmade production boats and they are ALL subjected to some problems once in a while. I would think that a new design is not tested and as much a "tried and true" as one thats been in production at least 5 years. Thats when you REALLY start to see issues pop up. So all you can hope and ask for is a good dealer and factory support.
Are they both new? It seems like Hunter is changing the designs of the hulls and boats every other year. And beneteau is not too far behind. Wasn't the H356 one of the top BOTY a few years back. Why did hunter get rid of that model and now have a H36? If it was that great of a boat why did they change it, even a little change to the hull and rigging will change its sailing characteristics. Nobody mentions how well these boats sail in varying conditions. Yeah we all want a nice "dock side condo", but what really matters is the type of sailing you do and what the boat is best designed for. Is it a speed deamon that is on its ear above 14knots of winds and needs to be reefed early and scares the bejeezeus out of guests or is it a stable platform for heavier winds and seas, but slow when the winds drop below 6knots. What about the way its rigged, does the H33 have the B&R rig? Makes it difficult for efficient downwind sailing without an assym hard to really let out the main which is the big driver on the boat) I know you can't have it all and these are production boats, but sometimes we all lose sight of some of the important things on a boat. As far as things that break or don't break on a boat, we have to all remember these are handmade production boats and they are ALL subjected to some problems once in a while. I would think that a new design is not tested and as much a "tried and true" as one thats been in production at least 5 years. Thats when you REALLY start to see issues pop up. So all you can hope and ask for is a good dealer and factory support.
Beneteau
I've never sailed a B 331 but I have owned an sail a Beneteau 361 with a Westerbeke engine for 2+ years out of Charleston. The boat handles beautifully in a wide range of wind and sea conditions and I would highly recommend Beneteau. I looked at Hunter, Catalina, and Beneteau at the Miami boat show and then decided to take the plunge. If your looking at new boats then the quality of the local dealer and service organizations should be an important factor.
I've never sailed a B 331 but I have owned an sail a Beneteau 361 with a Westerbeke engine for 2+ years out of Charleston. The boat handles beautifully in a wide range of wind and sea conditions and I would highly recommend Beneteau. I looked at Hunter, Catalina, and Beneteau at the Miami boat show and then decided to take the plunge. If your looking at new boats then the quality of the local dealer and service organizations should be an important factor.
Don't think I'll ever buy a boat brand-new...
I don't care if it's Hunter, Cat, Beneteau or whatever (all nice boats)...everyone I know who has ever bought a boat brand-new had one heck of a break-in period (misaligned shafts, faulty compressors, bad battery chargers etc...). I prefer to buy a used boat (even if it is only a year old) that has all the dings taken out. Maybe I'm just cheap though...for what it's worth...
I don't care if it's Hunter, Cat, Beneteau or whatever (all nice boats)...everyone I know who has ever bought a boat brand-new had one heck of a break-in period (misaligned shafts, faulty compressors, bad battery chargers etc...). I prefer to buy a used boat (even if it is only a year old) that has all the dings taken out. Maybe I'm just cheap though...for what it's worth...
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