Serving sailors online since 1997
Hunter OEM Parts
General Marine Parts
Review of the Hunter 33_77-83 by Stephen Gerling
| Year built | 1985 |
| Location of boat | Riverside RI |
| The boat is sailed on | Bays, sounds, or protected salt water |
| How the boat is used | Weekends and longer |
| Normal wind strength | 10-15 knots |
| Average size of crew | 2-4 |
| Liveaboard? | No |
| Owner bought the boat in | 2001 |
| If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? | Absolutely,I knew the issues it had when I bought it because it had been surveyed (Most problems that is, owner generated surveys only go so far. I suggest getting your own). Making it seaworthy was no problem, getting to where I wanted has been a bit of work. It kinda looked like an'87 Volvo (very square) before i raised the waterline and added a boot stripe. |
| Gear that's been added | Mostly replacing and upgrading the origional equipment. electronics etc... |
| Structural or complex improvements | none |
| The boat's best features | The former owner designed the interior himself. I like the layout much better than the factory layout(as long as I only plan to sleep four). Halyards, topping lift, and boomvang are all run to the cockpit. Unfortunately, reefing still requires a walk on the deck. |
| Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. | The electrical system is messy (a work in progress). In fairness, it is outdated. The alternater is a silly little 30A car design (on the wish list). I also had to reinforce the Steering binnacle when the base rotted & cracked. Most of all, the boat lists slightly to starboard. I thought it was weight distribution, but other owners of this model tell of the same issue. |
| Sailing characterisitcs | Easy to move, easy on tacks & jibes. sails great in 5-15kts, but gusts cause alot of weather helm, even when reefed. Handles seas better than I thought it would. |
| Motoring characterisitcs | The 13 HP Yanmar is extremely economical, but the boat is way underpowered to windward. I make about 3.5 kts against a 20 kt wind, not figuring tide. |
| Liveability | AS stated, the former owner designed the interior well, and I have done alot to it. GREAT for two people. As time goes by, I'll be looking at the newer beamier models |
| The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) | N/A |
| The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any | N/A |
| Other comments | My wife loves it as much as I do, and we'll keep it for a while. |
Copyright 1997-2025 SB Owners, LLC
All rights reserved.
All rights reserved.
Other Sailboat Owners web sites:
CatalinaOwners.com | HunterOwners.com | MacgregorOwners.com | OdayOwners.com | SailboatOwners.com | 10,000 Boat Names |