33 foot sailboat

Marlow-Hunter, LLC

The 33 – compact cruiser of the year.

360 Marlow-Hunter 33 Virtual Tour »

The Award-Winning Marlow-Hunter 33 is a stunning sailing yacht. Keeping with the Hunter of yesterday’s signature window line gives this yacht the sleek feel of the latest Marlow-Hunters, but the improvements do not end there. The hull design has been improved, featuring a wider beam further aft as well as a more profound bow hollow. The result of this hull design is a longer dynamic waterline, which means more speed. The deck features a sleek, modern profile with large side windows allowing for increased interior light. The deck hatches are flush-mount, offering an enhanced look that complements the new profile. Lengthening the cockpit has allowed the Marlow-Hunter 33 to have a cockpit that is longer than its predecessor. The cockpit of the Marlow-Hunter 33 also features a fold-down swim platform that extends the already lengthy cockpit when folded down while the boat is docked or at anchor.

Extending the cockpit allows for a larger master aft cabin that features more headroom. Overall, the interior has been enhanced with a richer look and feel. Enhancements start at the sole of the interior which features a hardwood flooring look that accentuates the true beauty of the Marlow-Hunter 33’s interior. Corian galley countertops feature complementing stainless steel fiddles that not only keep items from falling off the countertops in a seaway but also serve as excellent hand holds when moving about below. The interior wood used for the bulkheads as well as cabinet doors has been rotated 90 degrees so that the wood grain runs horizontally instead of vertically. Not only does this add a crisp modern touch to the interior, it also gives the eye an impression of a larger interior space.

The salon features several intelligent enhancements. To starboard, the comfortable settee features a center section that easily flips up to create a convenient chart table. The beauty of this system is its robust design…and no moving parts to wear out! To port, the elegant dinette sports Marlow-Hunter’s unique Easy Lift system. With a few simple cranks, the dinette table lowers to form the base of a double sleeper sofa. Above, near the overhead, Marlow-Hunter has thoughtfully provided flat, fiddle-protected cabinet tops that supply even more storage space.

Sail away on a Marlow-Hunter 33 for $148,998.

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Jeanneau Sailboats, Pleasure at Sea

Jeanneau Yachts

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Welcome to the refined world of cruising aboard Jeanneau Yachts. Set sail and discover these jewels of the sea.

Performance and technology by Jeanneau

On the water, speed and exhilarating sensations are guaranteed, without compromising dependability, ease of handling and safety at sea. These sailboats will impress you with their seaworthy qualities, stability and robust structure.

Sun Odyssey

A new vision of life onboard

Onboard the comfort is served by a timeless design, performance is achieved without effort, and above all, safety at sea is guaranteed. Ideal for your family cruises. Live moments of pure happiness!

Pure bliss.

A sunrise at sea. The soft clicking as you sheet in the jenny. The kite is up, you bear away, ease the sheet, and feel the boat’s acceleration. Pure bliss. Sailors live for moments like these. And at Jeanneau, we live to make them happen. We combine superior functionality and innovation with proven designs.

Smart features with a down-to-earth-approach. Outstanding performance, safety, and cruising comfort – a Jeanneau will give you everything you need and nothing you don’t, so you can enjoy what really matters: the pure experience of sailing.

For the purchase and/or sale of a sailboat , please don’t hesitate to contact your Jeanneau dealership by clicking here:

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The Hunter 33 Sailboat Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Hunter 33 is a popular American sailboat that was designed by John Cherubini and first built in 1977 by Hunter Marine. It has a masthead sloop rig, a fixed fin keel, an inboard motor, and is known for its spacious interior, easy handling and good performance.

The boat has undergone several revisions and updates over the years, and has been compared to other sailboats in its class such as the Catalina 34, the Beneteau Oceanis 331, and the Tartan 3400.

Published Specification for the Hunter 33

Underwater Profile: Fin with bulb keel and Spade Rudder

Hull Material : GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall : 33'6" (10.21m)

Waterline Length : 29'5" (8.97m)

Beam : 11'8" (3.51m)

Draft : 5'6" (1.7m) *

Rig Type : B&R

Displacement : 12,400lb (5,625kg)

Designer : Hunter Marine

Builder : Hunter Marine (USA)

Year First Built : 2012

* Shoal Draft version: 4'6" (1.4m)

Published Design Ratios for the Hunter 33

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 18.7

Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 27.9

Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 217

Under 100: Ultralight
100 to 200: Light
200 to 275: Moderate
275 to 350: Heavy
Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 24.2

Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 2.0

Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

read more about these all-revealing numbers...

A Few FAQs...

Is the Hunter 33 still in production and, if not, when did production end and how many of these sailboats were built?

The original Hunter 33 was produced from 1977 to 1984 by Hunter Marine in Alachua, Florida. A total of 1,124 hulls were built during this period.
The second generation Hunter 33 was introduced in 2005 as an updated version of the previous model with some design changes and improvements. It was produced until 2011 by Hunter Marine in Alachua, Florida. A total of 623 hulls were built during this period.
The third generation Hunter 33 was launched in 2012 as a completely new design with a different hull shape, deck plan, rig configuration, interior layout, and features. It was produced until 2016 by Marlow-Hunter (formerly Hunter Marine) in Alachua, Florida.
The current generation Hunter E33 (also known as Marlow-Hunter E33) was introduced in 2017 as an electric hybrid version of the previous model with an Elco electric motor instead of a diesel engine. It is still in production by Marlow-Hunter in Alachua, Florida.

What, if any, alternative versions of the Hunter 33 were built and what are the differences between them?

The original Hunter 33:

was offered with two keel options - a standard fin keel with a draft of 5.25 feet, and a shoal draft keel with a draft of 4.0 feet.
had a masthead sloop rig with a single spreader and no backstay.
had a traditional transom with a small swim platform and ladder.
had an interior layout that featured a V-berth forward, a head to port, a hanging locker to starboard, a U-shaped dinette to port, a settee to starboard, an L-shaped galley to port, and a quarter berth to starboard.

The second-generation Hunter 33:

was also offered with two keel options - a standard fin keel with a draft of 4.5 feet, and a shoal draft wing keel with a draft of 4.0 feet.
had a fractional sloop rig with a single spreader and no backstay, but with swept-back spreaders and shrouds that provided more support for the mast.
had a reverse transom with a larger swim platform and ladder.
had an interior layout that featured a V-berth forward, a head to starboard, a hanging locker to port, a U-shaped dinette to starboard, a settee to port, an L-shaped galley to starboard, and an aft cabin to port.

The third-generation Hunter 33:

was only offered with one keel option - a fin keel with a draft of 4.5 feet.
had a fractional sloop rig with a double spreader and no backstay, but with swept-back spreaders and shrouds that provided even more support for the mast.
had a raised reverse transom with an even larger swim platform and ladder, as well as an arch that supported the mainsheet traveler and the optional bimini and dodger.
had an interior layout that featured an island berth forward, a head to port, a hanging locker to starboard, an L-shaped dinette to port, two seats and a table to starboard, an L-shaped galley to port, and an aft cabin to starboard.

The current generation Hunter E33:

has the same transom as the third-generation Hunter 33.
has the same rig as the third-generation Hunter 33.
has the same interior layout as the third-generation Hunter 33.
is also only offered with one keel option - a fin keel with a draft of 4.5 feet.

How many people can sleep on board a Hunter 33?

The original Hunter 33 could sleep up to five people: two in the V-berth, two in the dinette (converted into a double berth), and one in the quarter berth.
The second-generation Hunter 33 could sleep up to six people: two in the V-berth, two in the dinette (converted into a double berth), two in the aft cabin (in either one double berth or two single berths).
The third-generation Hunter 33 could sleep up to six people: two in the island berth forward, two in the dinette (converted into a double berth), two in the aft cabin (in one double berth).
The current generation Hunter E33 can sleep up to six people: two in the island berth forward, two in the dinette (converted into a double berth), two in the aft cabin (in one double berth).

What is the history of the builders of the Hunter 33 and is the company still in business?

The builders of the Hunter 33 are Hunter Marine, which was founded in 1973 by Warren Luhrs, a successful sailboat racer who wanted to create affordable and high-quality sailboats for the mass market. The company started with a 25-foot boat called the Hunter 25, which was an instant success and sold over 2,000 units in its first year. The company then expanded its product line to include various models ranging from 15 to 50 feet in length.

The Hunter 33 was one of the most popular models, selling over 1,700 units in its first generation alone. The company also pioneered some innovative features such as the B&R rig (a fractional sloop rig with no backstay), the arch (a stainless steel structure that supports the mainsheet traveler and other accessories), and the electric hybrid propulsion system.

The company is still in business today, but under a different name and ownership. In 2012, Hunter Marine was acquired by David Marlow, a veteran boat builder who also owns Marlow Yachts, a luxury powerboat manufacturer.

The new company was renamed Marlow-Hunter and continued to produce sailboats under the Hunter brand name, as well as introducing new models under the Marlow brand name. The current product line includes sailboats from 15 to 50 feet in length, as well as powerboats from 37 to 97 feet in length.

What is the average cost of a secondhand Hunter 33?

The average cost of a secondhand Hunter 33 depends on the condition, age, equipment, and location of the boat. According to some online sources, the average cost of a secondhand Hunter 33 ranges from $20,000 to $150,000, depending on the generation and model year of the boat. For example, a 1980 original Hunter 33 in fair condition may cost around $20,000, while a 2016 third-generation Hunter 33 in excellent condition may cost around $150,000.

How does the Hunter 33 compare to other sailboats in its class?

The Hunter 33 is comparable to other sailboats in its class, such as the Catalina 34, the Beneteau Oceanis 331, and the Tartan 3400. These boats are all similar in size, design, and performance, but have some differences in features, quality, and price. Some of the comparisons are:

The Catalina 34 is slightly larger than the Hunter 33, with a length of 34.5 feet and a beam of 11.75 feet. It has a masthead sloop rig with a single spreader and a backstay, and a fin or wing keel with a draft of either 5.67 or 3.83 feet. It has an interior layout that features a V-berth forward, a head to port, a hanging locker to starboard, a U-shaped dinette to starboard, a settee to port, an L-shaped galley to port, and an aft cabin to starboard. It has a traditional transom with a small swim platform and ladder. It was produced from 1986 to 1999 by Catalina Yachts in Woodland Hills, California. A total of 1,438 hulls were built during this period. The Catalina 34 is known for its spacious interior, solid construction, and good performance. It is also more affordable than the Hunter 33, with an average cost of around $40,000 for a secondhand boat.
The Beneteau Oceanis 331 is slightly smaller than the Hunter 33, with a length of 33.1 feet and a beam of 11.3 feet. It has a fractional sloop rig with a single spreader and no backstay, but with swept-back spreaders and shrouds that provide more support for the mast. It has a fin or bulb keel with a draft of either 5.58 or 4.25 feet. It has an interior layout that features an island berth forward or two single berths forward (depending on the version), a head to starboard or port (depending on the version), a hanging locker to port or starboard (depending on the version), an L-shaped dinette to starboard or port (depending on the version), two seats and a table to port or starboard (depending on the version), an L-shaped galley to starboard or port (depending on the version), and an aft cabin to port or starboard (depending on the version). It has a reverse transom with a large swim platform and ladder. It was produced from 1999 to 2006 by Beneteau in France and South Carolina. The Beneteau Oceanis 331 is known for its modern design, versatile layout, and good performance. It is also more expensive than the Hunter 33, with an average cost of around $60,000 for a secondhand boat.
The Tartan 3400 is slightly larger than the Hunter 33, with a length of 34.4 feet and a beam of 11.25 feet. It has a fractional sloop rig with a double spreader and a backstay, and a fin or beavertail keel with a draft of either 6.5 or 4.75 feet. It has an interior layout that features a V-berth forward, a head to port, a hanging locker to starboard, an L-shaped dinette to port, two seats and a table to starboard, an L-shaped galley to port, and an aft cabin to starboard. It has a traditional transom with a small swim platform and ladder. It was produced from 2005 to present by Tartan Yachts in Fairport Harbor, Ohio. The Tartan 3400 is known for its classic style, high quality, and excellent performance. It is also more premium than the Hunter 33, with an average cost of around $120,000 for a secondhand boat.

The above answers were drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; to the best of our knowledge, we believe them to be accurate.

Other sailboats in the Hunter range include:

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25 Sailboats Under 40′

By Cruising World Staff
Updated: March 25, 2014

Catalina 275 Sport

“This is a complete package; it’s a good sailing boat and well-thought-out. It’s definitely ready for prime time,” says Boat of the Year judge Ed Sherman. Click here to read why the Catalina 275 Sport won Best Pocket Cruiser in 2014.

Beneteau First 30

As they approached the First 30 to conduct their dockside evaluation during the boat show, the BOTY judges may have been just a little skeptical of this performance-oriented 30-footer’s cruisability. But that skepticism turned into appreciation as soon as they stepped below, and they were downright enamored with how the boat sailed. Click here to read why the Beneteau First 30 won Best Small Cruiser, 20 feet and Under in 2011.

The Presto 30 is an innovative, well-built, good looking cruising boat that satisfied its stated design brief as well as any other boat the judges looked at, though it’s not what you might expect from an average cruising boat. Cruising World judges also noted that this easy-to-handle boat may attract new sailors to the sport so they can learn the ropes and then trade up to another model, an approach that’s important to the health of the entire industry. Click here to read how the Presto 30 won the Cruising Spirit Award in 2011.

Catalina 309

“I think that for the purpose it was put on the water, to be able to walk down, jump aboard, and simply go enjoy it on a weekend, the boat not only hit the price in terms of value but also hit the mark in terms of use,” remarked judge Alvah Simon, a world voyager. Click to read why the Catalina 309 won Domestic Boat of the Year for 2007 .

The J/95’s retractable centerboard and dual rudders make it possible to sail in just 3 feet of water. During our dockside visit, designer Rod Johnstone told us that he wanted to build a comfortable coastal cruiser that could keep people sailing by providing “high performance in shallow water,” and the J/95 did exactly what Rod said it would. Click here to read how it won Best Weekender and Domestic Boat of the Year for 2010.

Catalina 315

This nifty pocket cruiser raises the Catalina quality bar with more comfort and better performance. It’s the little things that make this boat special, including the tall rig, the wide cockpit, the large anchor locker, the sprit for the asymmetric kite, and the clever use of space below. Click here to read how the Catalina 315 won Best Inshore Cruiser for 2013.

The Delphia 33 is a boat that’s maximized every inch of available space, and the overall fit and finish, from the joiner work to the systems installation to the structural integrity of the boat, is well done. Click here to read why the Delphia 33 won Import Boat of the Year in 2008.

“With this introductory cruiser, Hunter is trying to bring people up through its ranks and into cruising from trailer-sailers and smaller boats,” said Alvah Simon. “And the company has done that with a 33-footer that has quality and affordability but is still manageable and unintimidating.” Click here to read why the Hunter e33 won Best Compact Cruiser for 2012.

C&C 101

The 33-foot C&C 101 boasts thoroughly modern lines and a nice turn of speed but also features a fine layout belowdecks, with cherry furniture and a teak cabin sole. Click here to read why the C&C 101 won Domestic Boat of the Year and Best Performance Cruiser in 2013.

This dual-purpose cruiser is both easy to handle and zippy on the racecourse. Click here to read why the X-34 won Best Racer-Cruiser for 2009.

Beneteau 34

This affordable performance cruiser is a blast to sail, with details often lacking on more expensive boats. Click here to read a boat review of the Beneteau 34. Click here to read why the Beneteau 34 won the award for Best Value in 2009.

Tartan 3400

The Tartan 3400, with double cabins fore and aft, was still sufficiently nimble and distinctive to cop the 2006 Boat of the Year award for Best Production Cruiser from 31 to 36 Feet. Click here to read more.

The BOTY judges found lots on which to agree as they proclaimed the Najad 355 to be the Best Small Cruiser of 2008: great sails, solid motion through the water, practical interior, well-laid-out deck. Click here to read more.

Catalina 355

Two themes—consideration and principles—epitomize the Catalina 355. Click here to read why it won Domestic Boat of the Year in 2011.

Sabre Spirit

Andrew Burton found the 36-foot Sabre Spirit boat not only easily handled and fast but also a sheer delight to sail; no wonder it won the Judges’ Choice Award in Cruising World’s 2008 Boat of the Year contest. Click here to read more .

Island Packet Estero

Comfortable surroundings are easily driven by a fully self-tending and roller-furling rig on the 36-foot Island Packet Estero. Click here to read why it won Best Midsize Cruiser Under 40 feet in 2010.

Hallberg-Rassy 37

Like the Swedes who manufacture it, the Hallberg-Rassy 37 is a hardy sailer. The boat’s seakindly performance gives the assurance that it can take you anywhere, and once you get aboard, that’s exactly where you’ll want to go. Click here to read why it won Import Boat of the Year in 2006.

Malö 37 Classic

This purpose-built craft is a dream to steer and a delight to the eyes. Click here to read how it won Import Boat of the Year for 2009. Click here to read a full boat review.

Catalina 375

Solid construction and thoughtful amenities make life onboard this boat more comfortable. Click here to read why the Catalina 375 won Best All-Purpose Cruiser, 30 to 40 Feet in 2009.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 379

This midsize offering from Jeanneau has a modern look and is ready for sea. Click here to read why it won Domestic Boat of the Year and Best Midsize Cruiser for 2012.

“This very responsive sailboat scoots along quite nicely, I think as well as anything we sailed in this fleet,” says Boat of the Year judge Mark Schrader. Click here to read why the Dehler 38 won Best Cruising Sailboat Under 38 Feet in 2014.

Better-than-expected performance, good design ideas, and follow-through in their execution led to the Hunter 38 winning Best Production Cruiser Under 40 feet for 2005. Click here to read more.

Who says a cruising cat under 40 feet isn’t big enough for comfortable accommodations? The 38’s hulls are narrow where they meet the water for performance purposes but flare out to create ample interior space. Click here to read why the Leopard 38 won Import Boat of the Year in 2010.

Seawind 1160

This 38-foot cat will appeal to cruisers who want a well-built boat that can sail away in a hurry. Click here to read why the Seawind 1160 won Best Multihull Cruiser and Most Innovative Boat for 2007.

“The company is mixing traditional aesthetics with modern gear–from the carbon rudder to tweakers on the jib tracks, and it works really well,” said Boat of the Year judge Steve Callahan of the Sabre 386. Click here to read why it was named Domestic Boat of the Year for 2005.

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Sailboat Reviews

The Dual-Purpose C&C 33 Mark II

The old new c&c 33 proves to be a formidable racer that can also deliver you over the horizon..

Photos by Otto Rascon

When the C&C company shut down operations in 1986, it was big news in the North American boating community. Since the companys formation in 1969, it had been a stalwart of the industry-the leading Canadian builder, by far, and one of the major brands wherever fiberglass sailboats raced or cruised.

C&Cs lineup always featured the dual-purpose racer-cruiser, and always aimed for quality construction and detail, fitting a market niche below the outstanding luxury yacht but above the standard, midline fiberglass auxiliary. C&C boats are know for good-looking moderate designs, a tradition started by the original partners-the two Cs, George Cuthbertson and George Cassian-and the companys chief designer, Rob Ball. Performance also was a C&C hallmark. Most of its models were heavily marketed as serious racers, and even old C&Cs continue to be actively raced in PHRF fleets today. (For example, there were 14 registered to compete in the 2015 Chicago to Mackinac Race.)

C&C was the first major company to commit to cored hull construction, and only Tillotson-Pearson compared to C&C in terms of experience with balsa-cored laminates. The builder also was the first major company to commit to solid rod rigging, and they had a tradition of rigging and equipping their boats with first-class spars and fittings.

The C&C 33 is often referred to as the new C&C 33 or the C&C 33 Mark II (33-2), to distinguish it from the C&C 33 Mark I, which was produced between 1974 and l977. While some of the specs are similar, the Mark II is an entirely different boat, not sharing any of the tooling of the Mark I. The Mark I was widely regarded as one of the prettiest racers around, and 209 of them were built.

In design, the C&C 33 Mark II has conservative lines. Like other C&C models, it has a flat sheer, sharply reversed transom and sharply angled bow. The hull has a fine entry and cutaway forefoot. Theres a hard turn to the bilge about a foot below the waterline, and the very center of the hull is flat. A fin keel was the standard, but a shorter fin and a keel/centerboard combination were available options. A small skeg is fitted ahead of the spade rudder. According to owners, this setup allows for precise turning in tight spaces.

The Mark II was introduced in 1984, and over 200 of them were built in the four years the boat was in production-impressive considering the companys business problems in the middle of the run, and the heavy competition in this size from American and European companies.

Construction

The Mark IIs hull construction represented a departure from typical C&C practices, in that only the forward panels of the hull are balsa cored. The rest of the hull is a conventional hand lay-up of mat and roving, with an isophthalic gelcoat and skinning resin. The 33s larger sisters (35, 38, 41, and 44) have balsa coring throughout their hulls, while the smaller sisters (30 and 27) have no coring at all in the hull.

The cored laminate offered stiffness and strength combined with light weight, and it was one of C&Cs keys to building tough, lightweight race boats that wouldnt flex too much. To achieve stiffness and strength without the coring, C&C used what they call a spider system: basically a structural framing bonded to the hull and integrated with the attachment points for the rig and keel. The hull laminate itself becomes relatively less important structurally, as the frame becomes the primary load-bearing structure of the boat.

The deck is one-piece molding with balsa core in the horizontal surfaces, and hardware is backed with both aluminum and Coremat for strength in the attachment points.

The hull-to-deck joint is standard, with an inward-turning hull flange on which the deck is set. Stainless bolts run through the joint and through an aluminum toerail that covers the joint. The whole stem fitting as well as the corner pieces for the toerail are the heavy aluminum castings that are traditional on C&C boats, but it is interesting that C&C used plastic moldings for the stanchion bases on the 33.

When new, the Mark IIs had good quality gelcoat and generally fair hulls. But if youre considering buying a used one, be sure to look for signs of stress cracking or crazing as most of these have been raced a lot-some quite hard-over the last 25 years. Our reviewer examined one, built in 1988, that had only minor crazing and a surprisingly good quality deck, but the owner explained it had not been actively raced in the past.

The standard fin keel (6-foot, 4-inch draft) is external lead, bolted to a stub on the hull. The centerboard option is unusual in that it is a fiberglass molding with some lead inside, and the board is fitted entirely inside a shallow keel (4-foot, 4-inch draft) fitted to the hull.

The fiberglass board is lighter (for lifting) and quieter than a more common steel board, which tends to bang around in the centerboard trunk. The fiberglass molding also makes for a better-shaped and fairer fin for upwind work. The lifting cable is housed inside the keel, so it presents no drag and makes no noise at speed. The cable passes through the cabin and is housed in a stainless-steel tube, which also supports the cabin table, and is led to a stopper and winch on the aft end of the cabin house.

The fin keel weighs 3,975 pounds (42 percent of total displacement); the keel/centerboard, at 5,258 pounds, is much heavier. Nominal displacement for the fin-keel version is 9,450 pounds; for the centerboard version, its 10,733 pounds.

The 33s rudder is fiberglass over a webbing of stainless welded to the stainless-steel rudder stock. If youre considering buying a C&C 33, be sure to look over the rudder and skeg carefully.

Also, as is the case with most 25-year-old, external ballast keel boats, the ballast should be lowered and the keel bolts inspected before purchase, especially if the boat is sailed offshore. C&Cs are among the production boats (like Catalinas, Hunters, and Cals) that have been known to show a keel smile, where the keel bolts work loose and water gets in between hull and keel, causing the bolts to corrode. Usually a product of not torquing the keel bolts periodically, the keel smile is due more to a lack of proper maintenance than design.

The model that we sailed had a rig from the C&C spar shop, known in its time as a builder of sturdy high-performance rigs. The spars on later models were from Offshore Spars in Detroit.

The mast and boom are fairly heavy extrusions, painted white, with integral grooves for taking bolt rope or slugs. The mast came standard with internal halyards and lifts, as well as an internal wiring conduit and VHF cable. The boom has built-in slab reefing gear. The mast is stepped on the keel.

The standard standing rigging is made up of Navtec stainless rod, tangs, and turnbuckles, with 1 x 19 stainless for the adjustable babystay and for the split part of the lower backstay. Original main and jib halyards were stainless with rope tails. The shroud chainplates, set inboard for close sheeting, are attached to the hull by stainless rods between the deck and hull anchor points.

The Mark II came standard with good quality hardware for rig control. Spinnaker winches and gear, boom vang, and backstay adjuster were options.

Engine/Mechanical Systems

The original Yanmar 2GM engine is a bit tight in the 33s engine compartment, but otherwise the installation is first rate. The engine beds are actually part of the structural spider beams. The engine box is insulated with sound deadener, and the engine is about as quiet as you can expect a two-cylinder diesel to be. The standard solid prop should be replaced with a folding prop.

The electrical system and plumbing are well done. Electricity includes a 12-volt system with ample interior lighting. A 120-volt shore-power system, with a 50-foot shore cord, was standard equipment.

A three-burner, propane stove with oven also was standard, as was hot-and-cold pressurized water. The 30-gallon water tank is adequate for typical cruising, though ocean sailors may want to convert the standard 24-gallon holding tank to freshwater storage.

Performance

The 20-horsepower Yanmar is big enough to handle the boat in most conditions. We were under power only in fairly flat water. The boat was fitted with an optional Martek folding prop, and we had no problems backing or turning. The engine pushed the boat to hull speed easily. We suspect a big head sea would challenge the peak output of the engine, probably slowing the boat to 4 knots or so, but the amount of power is ample for all reasonable sailors in almost all conditions.

Steering is with the standard 36-inch destroyer wheel. Throttle and shift controls are integral to the pedestal, and visibility over the deckhouse is good when you are sitting on the skippers bubble hump behind the wheel.

The aluminum fuel tank holds 20 gallons, which should be good for about 180 miles of powering under normal conditions. The engine control panel is in one bay of the T-shaped cockpit. You can’t see it easily from the steering position, but thats a very minor inconvenience.

Access to the engine is through the removable companionway steps, through opening panels on both the port and starboard side of the engine, and through the cockpit seat locker.

The boat looks like it should be an all-around wholesome boat, but we initially thought of it as not particularly a standout in its size and price range. Our test sail convinced us otherwise. We found the 33-2 to be a fine sailer, just about everything we would want in its size.

The C&C 33 Mark II performs well without demanding the incessant tweaking and crew movement of so many high-performance boats. We sailed the centerboard version and evaluated a deep-keel version, and reviewers found no particular shortcomings in eithers performance.

With a good set of sails, the centerboard test boat was at least as weatherly as any boat in its PHRF division. We tried sailing the reaches and the runs with the board up and with the board down, and we could not discern any difference in speed-though as charterer, we deferred to the owners conviction that the boat was faster off the wind with the board up. The boat seemed to steer as well with the board up as with it down.

With the extra weight, the centerboard model is a little harder to push around a race course in light air, but in 15-knot winds, she had to ask no favors, and in 22-knot winds, she was a pleasure to sail compared to the other boats on the race course.

In absolute terms, we know that there are faster boats around. Most of them, unfortunately, are a pain to handle as the wind pipes up, and we wouldnt want to sail them on some of the long, rainy slogs that we often encounter in cruising. Shorthanded, most of the faster boats are miserable. The C&C 33, in contrast, is an easy sailer, respectable in light winds, and a pleasure in heavy.

courtesy of Olson’s Classic Yachts

The deck layout on the C&C 33 is conventional. The double lifelines with lifeline gates, pulpit, and pushpit are sturdy, well made, and came as standard equipment. The pushpit has a gate that can be fitted with stern ladder-a good idea for both the racer and cruiser.

The foredeck is quite narrow, so anchoring and headsail handling can be difficult. The sidedecks leading aft are wide because of the inboard shrouds and easy to move along.

Because of the sculpting and window shape, the cabinhouse looks low, but it is actually quite high-a difficult step up from the sidedecks or cockpit for some. Fortunately, because all the lines lead aft to the back edge of the cabin, theres not much occasion to walk on the cabintop abaft the mast. Forward of the mast, the cabin slopes gradually into the deck, and movement is easy. However, the skylight over the head and the forward hatch are slippery stumble-makers and need to have nonskid tape put on them.

Our test boat did not have a dodger, and the sculpting of the cabin house may make it difficult to design a wide one. A narrow dodger, fitting just over the companionway, would work well.

The cockpit is a conventional T-shape with a bridgedeck-mounted traveler. A cabintop-mounted traveler was an option, but there seems to be little to recommend it. The cockpit seats are comfortable for sitting but too short to lie down on. The forward part of the coaming is OK for sitting, but youll be inclined only to stand on the cockpit sole, aft of the bench seats. The cockpit is definitely skewed a little toward the racing side of this boats dual purpose, and its a much better cockpit underway than dockside.

Hardware is good quality and well arranged. The standard winches are of adequate size, though the boat is stiff enough to carry a heavy 150-percent genoa in 20 knots of wind, and thats a handful for the No. 24 primaries, unless the racing crew is on board.

As is the case in most boats of the 33s vintage, theres not too much abovedecks storage room. An anchor well forward will stow a Danforth, but everything else will have to go into the one aft locker under the starboard cockpit seat. Its a cavernous locker, but the serious cruiser will have to devise a way to subdivide it to make it more usable. Behind the helmsman are a small locker for propane bottles and a small stowage spot for winch handles.

The arrangements belowdecks are conventional: V-berth forward, head with shower opposite a hanging locker; port and starboard settees outboard of a saloon table; L-shaped galley; nav station at the head of a double quarterberth (well, maybe a one-and-three-quarter quarterberth). From the center bulkhead aft, the boat is wide open, which seems to us like a more sensible arrangement than the Euro compartmentalizing of the aft cabin and aft head, at least in a boat this size.

A few notable details: A decent built-in bureau in the forward cabin is a nice touch. The head compartment is a single fiberglass molding, including the wash basin-all compact, well designed, and easier to clean. The galley is quite serviceable, with a good stove and a stainless bash bar to keep you from crashing into it.

The teak overhead and bulkhead veneer contrast with the off-white hull liner. The liner is well done, with removable panels for servicing hardware fittings, wiring, and so on.

Overall, the cabin is comfortable. Weve often heard older C&Cs rapped as leaky boats, with drips around windows and under heavily loaded deck hardware, but the boat we sailed was completely dry.

Owners Comments

The biggest complaints among the C&C 33 Mark II owners that Practical Sailor surveyed were engine access and cabin ventilation. Nearly all noted that it was a challenge to access the engine easily, and most reported that their boat upgrades including increasing belowdecks ventilation with solar vents or other openings.

Interestingly, most gave the boat an average rating for stability but rated the seaworthiness as good or better. The majority of those surveyed rated the boats upwind and off-the-wind performance equally good; only a handful said the upwind performance was better.

Some things to keep in mind if youre shopping for a C&C 33: Check for leaks around the chainplates and look for stress cracking in the deck, signs the boat had a hard racing life and the backstay likely saw too much pressure. A few surveyed owners reported blisters, but both said the problem was minor. One owner cautioned others to check the transmission shaft cable as his was not installed and adjusted properly, resulting in premature clutch failure.

Conclusions

If youre entirely devoted to racing, wed probably suggest looking at something different-maybe a J/33, or possibly a J/35. For those who solely cruise, wed also recommend different boats-maybe something more like a Tartan 34 or a Mason 33. But if you plan to do a good share of racing, some serious weekending, and at least one long, shorthanded cruise per season, then the C&C 33 is among the boats we suggest checking out. Although in some ways, it seems plain and indistinctive, the C&C 33 is admirably suited to be both a racer and a cruiser. Its a boat for sailors who truly want a racer-cruiser. C&Cs also hold their value well, so buying one would be a sound investment, and there are plenty in good condition to be had on the resale market, especially in Canada.

Editors note: This review is an updated and expanded version of one previously published.

C&C 33 Mark II Owners