Hunter 33: A Stronger, Roomier Production Sailboat

It seems the recession has helped boaters get more for less. You no longer have to  spend big bucks on big yachts like the Hunter 50, from production builders like Hunter Marine, to discover innovation in high gear during the downturn; the Hunter 33 delivers everything a cruising couple needs in a simple-to-sail, low maintenance package—at a head-turning price.

 

There's no shortage of new ideas coming from production sailboat builders like Hunter Marine, as evidenced by the new Hunter 33.

 

The new Hunter e33 has a modified hull with a wider beam carried farther aft, and a longer waterline which suggests she’s faster than her predecessor, the Hunter 33. The hull is a solid laminate with a balsa sandwich core above the waterline, and the long curved ports bring a contemporary and sleek look to the redesigned deck. The cockpit gained a few inches in the mold and the drop-down transom extends that area farther by creating a nice swim platform. The whole cockpit feels spacious due to the arch that holds the traveler, and the organization provided by the integrated sheet boxes by the companionway. Everything in its place makes this ship tidy and comfortable.

The 7/8 fractional rig incorporates Hunter’s signature B & R system that has no backstay which leaves room for a full-roach mainsail. The deck-stepped Selden mast has double aft-swept spreaders and comes in two heights with a choice of standard or furling main. A 110-percent jib is standard and brings the total sail area to 625 square feet.

Below decks, the interior is bright thanks to the flush-mounted hatches and new elongated side ports. The U-shaped galley is to port and has a two-burner stove and oven combo, an ice box, a microwave, a sink, and lots of Corian countertop space with stainless-steel fiddles which double as handholds. To starboard is the entry to the aft cabin and a spacious head. The saloon has a U-shaped settee to port and a straight one to starboard, where a flip-up table instantly creates a small navigation desk. The forward cabin has a V-berth with a foam mattress and two large hanging lockers, one on either side. The interior finish adds to the richness with tongue-and-groove flooring and a high-gloss cherry veneer. The grain has been laid out on the bulkheads horizontally, which gives the salon a larger feel.

The base price of the Hunter 33 with freight and commissioning is $120,000, and if you add the Mariner package, it goes up to $130,000. This set of options is sometimes available at boat shows as a complementary add-on and includes in-mast furling, refrigeration, a 29 hp engine upgrade, a stereo with CD player, a Lewmar folding wheel, and more. You could hardly ask for better at that price point—which is the value proposition that Hunter is banking on, as boaters return to the market looking for more value.

For more information, visit Hunter Marine.

-Zuzana Prochazka