Have a bid in on a 33.5. 33.5 owners how do you like your boat. What are their good and bad points?
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Michael Wallach
comments on 33.5
I own a 1992 33.5 that I purchased in July, 2000. Pluses for the boat are its interior space, sailing qualities, and cockpit layout. The two negatives that come to mind are the head size and layout (small and located in the forward end of the cabin) and the steel keel (ugh!). This is my 2nd Hunter (the first was a partnership in a 37.5), and I selected the 33.5 because of my experience with the 37.5, which I really liked. My 33.5 has a steel keel. This is my first steel keeled boat, and I did not appreciate the level of effort required to keep the keel rust free. If you are purchasing the boat at anything but a "fire-sale" price, I suggest that you have the present owner have any rust professionaly removed and reepoxied. Even with that treatment, expect to spend extra time on keel maintenance. if you are purchasing a '92 or newer boat, another plus is the 3 cylinder Yanmar engine, which definitely runs smoother than 2 cylinder diesels installed on comparable (and earlier) 33' boats. Last comment: One (of many) changes that I made to my boat was to add a second winch/line stopper to the port side of the cabin top, next to the companionway. This has allowed me to lead the reefing lines and boom, vang to the aft end of the cabin top (as well as the spinnaker halyard), all a definite plus when the weather pipes up. Good luck with your purchase-let me know if you have any specific questions.
I own a 1992 33.5 that I purchased in July, 2000. Pluses for the boat are its interior space, sailing qualities, and cockpit layout. The two negatives that come to mind are the head size and layout (small and located in the forward end of the cabin) and the steel keel (ugh!). This is my 2nd Hunter (the first was a partnership in a 37.5), and I selected the 33.5 because of my experience with the 37.5, which I really liked. My 33.5 has a steel keel. This is my first steel keeled boat, and I did not appreciate the level of effort required to keep the keel rust free. If you are purchasing the boat at anything but a "fire-sale" price, I suggest that you have the present owner have any rust professionaly removed and reepoxied. Even with that treatment, expect to spend extra time on keel maintenance. if you are purchasing a '92 or newer boat, another plus is the 3 cylinder Yanmar engine, which definitely runs smoother than 2 cylinder diesels installed on comparable (and earlier) 33' boats. Last comment: One (of many) changes that I made to my boat was to add a second winch/line stopper to the port side of the cabin top, next to the companionway. This has allowed me to lead the reefing lines and boom, vang to the aft end of the cabin top (as well as the spinnaker halyard), all a definite plus when the weather pipes up. Good luck with your purchase-let me know if you have any specific questions.
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Bil Thomas Feng Shui
good boat
We have owned Feng Shui for 3 years. The 2 cyl engine is a little under powered but reliable. I agree with the previous response except the keel. As long as you attack the rust during a haulout and seal it up the rust is not an issue. We have run all lines to the cockpit. It single hands very well and has good space. The only thing we really dislike is the continous line roller furling. IT can slip or unroll in high winds.
We have owned Feng Shui for 3 years. The 2 cyl engine is a little under powered but reliable. I agree with the previous response except the keel. As long as you attack the rust during a haulout and seal it up the rust is not an issue. We have run all lines to the cockpit. It single hands very well and has good space. The only thing we really dislike is the continous line roller furling. IT can slip or unroll in high winds.
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Al Sandrik
Michael and Bill
Thanks for your input. I think we're a go with the boat. She's a real step up from our current 1989 Hunter 28! Michael, I was born in Perth Amboy and lived on West Side Ave until I was 10, when I moved to Toms River. I went to Holy Trinity until 6th grade. My sister still lives in Perth Amboy and works with Karim Arzadi's Law Frim on Market Street, any chance you know her (Michele Sandrik)?
Thanks for your input. I think we're a go with the boat. She's a real step up from our current 1989 Hunter 28! Michael, I was born in Perth Amboy and lived on West Side Ave until I was 10, when I moved to Toms River. I went to Holy Trinity until 6th grade. My sister still lives in Perth Amboy and works with Karim Arzadi's Law Frim on Market Street, any chance you know her (Michele Sandrik)?
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Michael Wallach
Perth Amboy
Al, No, I do not know your sister. I do not live in Perth Amboy, but I have been a member of the Raritan Yacht Club (where I keep my boat) for the past 25 years. Notwithastanding my comments, you probably will really like the boat. The 33.5 really is a sweet sailing boat. I am curious as to what year boat you are purchasing. The only other "oddity" that I neglected to mention is the rig with swept back spreaders. The manual suggests putting lots of prebend in the mast by tightening up on the upper and lower shrouds. The result is a mast that has lots of camber, and looks "unnatural", but it works. One result of the camber that I noticed was that the main did not drop easily when the halyard was released, and required a person at the mast to "assist" in lowering it. I solved the problem (with the advice of my sailmaker) by putting an external track on the mast, and installing cars on the main to support the load of the battens. The result of the exercise is that the main drops like the poverbial hot knife through butter when the main halyard is let go. Let me know if you have any other questiioons about the boat. I always like speaking to (fellow) Hunter owners. Best of luck with the purchase! Mike
Al, No, I do not know your sister. I do not live in Perth Amboy, but I have been a member of the Raritan Yacht Club (where I keep my boat) for the past 25 years. Notwithastanding my comments, you probably will really like the boat. The 33.5 really is a sweet sailing boat. I am curious as to what year boat you are purchasing. The only other "oddity" that I neglected to mention is the rig with swept back spreaders. The manual suggests putting lots of prebend in the mast by tightening up on the upper and lower shrouds. The result is a mast that has lots of camber, and looks "unnatural", but it works. One result of the camber that I noticed was that the main did not drop easily when the halyard was released, and required a person at the mast to "assist" in lowering it. I solved the problem (with the advice of my sailmaker) by putting an external track on the mast, and installing cars on the main to support the load of the battens. The result of the exercise is that the main drops like the poverbial hot knife through butter when the main halyard is let go. Let me know if you have any other questiioons about the boat. I always like speaking to (fellow) Hunter owners. Best of luck with the purchase! Mike
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Gary Wyngarden
335 Endorsement
Al, I've owned a 1992 335 for almost three years. We've sailed the boat all over the Pacific Northwest and are extremely happy with it. If you have specific questions, I'll be happy to try to answer them. Otherwise good luck with your new boat. Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
Al, I've owned a 1992 335 for almost three years. We've sailed the boat all over the Pacific Northwest and are extremely happy with it. If you have specific questions, I'll be happy to try to answer them. Otherwise good luck with your new boat. Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
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