Bavaria Yachts Sport Yachts & Express Cruisers

Bavaria S33 Open and HT, a Used Buyer's Guide

Launched as the Sport 330 and sold in hundreds, the S33 is a 33 ft sportscruiser that owners have driven through seas few brochures would admit to.

2015 to 2025 Discontinued Updated

Bavaria C45 sailing in open water
For reference, Bavaria C45 sailing in open water, not the Bavaria S33. Photo: BavariaYachtbau, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Length
33 ft10.05 m
Beam
10.8 ft3.27 m
Cruise
27 kn
Cabins
Separate mid cabin plus curtained forepeak double
Used price
$95K to $250K
On this page
  1. Overview
  2. From Sport 330 to S33, and roughly 400 boats later
  3. Who the S33 suits best
  4. Twin D3s, a single D6 or petrol: the engine menu
  5. Speed, fuel burn and noise on the water
  6. Five meter seas off the Isle of Man: an owner's test
  7. The HT roof and a cockpit for six
  8. Open-plan forward, private mid cabin aft
  9. What a surveyor looks for on an S33
  10. Specifications
  11. Price and value
  12. Strengths and weaknesses
  13. Used buyer checklist
  14. Rivals
  15. Our verdict
  16. FAQ

The Bavaria S33 is a 33 ft sterndrive sportscruiser launched in 2015 as the Sport 330 and rebadged S33 for 2017. Offered as an Open or hardtop HT, about 400 were delivered by late 2022, and it has since left the range.

Best for
  • First-time cruiser buyers
  • Families moving up from a RIB or cuddy
  • Coastal weekending in variable weather (HT)
  • Buyers wanting a diesel sportscruiser under $200,000

From Sport 330 to S33, and roughly 400 boats later

The Bavaria S33 began life as the Sport 330, unveiled at the Hanseboot Ancora Boat Show in Neustadt at the end of May 2015 alongside news of the smaller Sport 300. MBY reported Open, Sport 330S and hardtop HT versions, with UK prices starting just over 106,000 GBP before VAT. According to Motor Boat and Yachting's December 2022 used boat report, it was rebadged S33 from the 2017 model year onward, when Bavaria grouped its sportscruisers into the S-line. By late 2022 an estimated 400 had been delivered, a big number for a European 33 footer.

YachtBuyer now lists both the S33 Open and S33 HT as discontinued, with model years running into 2024 and 2025 respectively, and the boat no longer appears in Bavaria's current lineup. That makes it a used-market boat, and a plentiful one, which is good news for buyers who want choice.

Bavaria S33 by the numbers

LOA 33' 0" / 10.06 mBeam 10' 10" / 3.29 mBow
Plan view drawn to scale from the published length and beam.
Speed to length ratio at cruise
5.04A planing cruise. Fast passages in exchange for much higher fuel burn per mile.
Estimated range at cruise
146 nmUsing 90 percent of tank capacity at the cruise speed and fuel burn listed on this page.
Fuel economy at cruise
1.46 nmpgNautical miles per gallon at cruise, both engines combined.
Horsepower per ton
57 hpStrong power to weight for a planing hull.
Length to beam ratio
3.06 : 1Moderate proportions.

Length compared with the 118 sport yachts & express cruisers we cover

18 ft92 ft

Who the S33 suits best

Ben Nichols of Clipper Marine, Bavaria's UK importer, told MBY the S33 suits two kinds of buyer: a relative newcomer stepping up from a 20 ft cuddy cruiser, and a more experienced owner moving up from a RIB or sportsboat. The owner MBY interviewed, Richard Cassidy, was a first-time buyer with four children who chose the S33 HT after comparing many brands because it felt more spacious than rivals in his price bracket.

That is the S33's real strength: it feels bigger than its 33 ft without the price, running costs and handling challenges of a 38 or 40 footer. It also makes a sensible US lake or coastal weekender, provided you have access to a Volvo or Mercury sterndrive dealer.

Twin D3s, a single D6 or petrol: the engine menu

Bavaria kept the entry price low by offering a long engine list. The cheapest choice was a single Volvo Penta V8 petrol of 350 hp. Petrol twins included a pair of 250 hp Mercury engines or twin 300 hp Volvo V8s, the fastest option. On the diesel side, twin Volvo Penta D3-220s were by far the most popular choice in the UK, while a single D6-380 offered similar performance and slightly lower running costs but never caught on with British buyers.

For US buyers, the decision depends on use. Petrol boats are cheaper to buy and simpler to winterize, but burn more and pricier fuel. Twin D3s give redundancy and diesel economy, and they dominate the used market in Europe, which also makes them easier to resell.

Speed, fuel burn and noise on the water

When MBY tested a Sport 330 with twin D3-220s in 2015, it pulled cleanly to a top speed of 34.8 knots. Cruising at a shade over 27 knots the pair burned 70 liters per hour, about 18.5 US gallons. MBY's 2022 report gave 2.38 liters per nautical mile at 23 knots and 3,100 rpm, and a range of 174 nautical miles at 23.1 knots with a 20 percent reserve from the 420 liter (111 gallon) tank.

The early test boat was loud. MBY's reviewer called the D3s chatty little motors and recorded 90 decibels at 10 knots and the high 80s at cruising speed. Clipper Marine said the factory improved sound insulation on later production boats, so check engine noise on a sea trial rather than relying on old reviews.

Five meter seas off the Isle of Man: an owner's test

Richard Cassidy's S33 HT has been further than most sportscruisers go. He described rounding Land's End in a 3 to 4 meter swell with only Force 3 to 4 winds and said the boat handled it brilliantly. Off the Isle of Man, heading from Douglas Head to Peel, he met 5 meter waves near Chicken Rock as the wind rose to a solid Force 6, with no safe direction but into the sea. The bow dipped into some waves, but the boat stayed stable, if bumpy.

His one handling complaint was at low speed. Below about 6 knots it can be hard to hold the bow where you want it, and he found himself using the bow thruster more than he liked. A previous owner had fitted a stern thruster, which he believes should be standard. He also considers twin D3-220s the minimum power for challenging conditions.

The HT roof and a cockpit for six

The hardtop covers the forward end of the cockpit and has a large manual fabric sunroof that slides back out of sight. MBY called it one of the HT's biggest advantages, providing shade and shelter when needed and an open-boat feel in good weather. The Open model swaps the hardtop for a lighter, cheaper arrangement.

Aft, wraparound seating on the transom and port side seats six, and a molded wet bar to starboard holds a sink, an optional barbecue and a fridge. A full canopy set can enclose the cockpit; until 2019 UK boats had canopies made locally, so colors and window layouts vary. The helm has an adjustable bolster seat, with an L-shaped bench for two or three opposite. Many boats have Bavaria's extended bathing platform.

Open-plan forward, private mid cabin aft

Down the central companionway, the forward half of the lower deck is open plan. A dinette and galley sit at the foot of the steps, with a permanent double berth in the forepeak separated from the saloon by a curtain. The galley has a two-burner gas hob and an integrated microwave, and MBY praised the light, space and headroom for a 33 ft boat.

Further aft is a separate double cabin running under the cockpit and a wet-room style heads with toilet, basin and shower in one compartment. It lacks a separate shower stall but feels spacious as a result.

What a surveyor looks for on an S33

Surveyor Chris Olsen told MBY he had found few major concerns on the Bavaria Sport range. Hulls are built with Bavaria's Vacutec vacuum infusion, which gives a consistent lay-up and is about 20 percent lighter than solid laminate, and isophthalic resins resist moisture ingress. The variable deadrise hull and sterndrives give efficient planing and agile turning.

His checklist is practical. Operate the sliding roof several times to confirm the guides are clear. Keep the bottom clean, since fouling hurts performance on a boat this size. Confirm heat exchangers have been cleaned. Above all, check the sterndrives: legs should come off every two seasons to replace seals, bellows, steering components, ram seals, anodes and trim hydraulics.

Bavaria S33 specifications

Length overall33 ft10.05 m
Beam10.8 ft3.27 m
Draft4.2 ft1.27 m
Air draft9.8 ft2.99 m
Displacement13,36 lbs6,06 kg
Fuel capacity111 gal42 L
Fresh water38 gal143 L
CabinsSeparate mid cabin plus curtained forepeak double
Berths4
Heads1, wet room with toilet, basin and shower
Maximum persons8
Standard enginesSingle Volvo Penta V8-350 petrol sterndrive (entry package)
Optional enginesTwin Volvo Penta D3-220 diesels (most popular in the UK), single Volvo Penta D6-380 diesel, twin Mercury 250 hp or twin Volvo Penta V8-300 petrol
Maximum power380 hp
Cruise speed27 knots
Top speed34.8 knots
Range174 nm
Hull typeVariable-deadrise V planing hull with sterndrives
Hull constructionVacuum-infused fiberglass (GRP) sandwich with isophthalic resin
CE design categoryB
BuilderBavaria Yachtbau GmbH, Germany
Naval architectBavaria Yachts (in-house)
Production2015 to 2025
StatusDiscontinued

Figures come from builder documentation and independent tests where available. Displacement is usually quoted light, so a loaded cruising boat will weigh more. Compare these specs with another model.

Performance data

RPMSpeed (kn)Fuel (gph)Range (nm)
310023.114.5174
n/a2718.5130
WOT34.8n/an/a

Twin Volvo Penta D3-220 diesels. The 23 knot figures (2.38 liters per nautical mile, range with 20 percent reserve) come from MBY's 2022 used boat report; the 27 knot burn of 70 liters per hour and the 34.8 knot top speed come from MBY's 2015 test of a Sport 330. The 27 knot range is our calculation from the 420 liter tank with a 20 percent reserve.

How much does a Bavaria S33 cost?

New, typical sail-awayNo longer built
Used, typical asking$95K to $250K
Yearly running costs$14K to $30K

Bavaria launched the Sport 330 in 2015 from just over 106,000 GBP before VAT. Motor Boat and Yachting put the typical UK used range at 170,000 to 250,000 GBP in late 2022, with a 2016 HT at 189,950 GBP and a 2018 boat at 171,333 GBP. In 2026 European listings for 2016 to 2022 boats run from about 85,000 to 210,000 euros. Twin D3-220 diesel boats hold value best, and the HT roof adds a premium in northern markets.

Estimated used asking prices by model year, US market, 2026
$100K$150K$200K$250K20152015, $115,000 to $190,00020162016, $125,000 to $245,00020182018, $140,000 to $230,00020212021, $95,000 to $220,00020222022, $160,000 to $235,000

Estimate your yearly cost

A planning estimate using common rules of thumb: insurance near 1.5 percent of value, maintenance near 3 percent, haul out and bottom paint by length. Your marina, region and use will move these numbers. Open the full cost calculator.

Bavaria S33 timeline

  1. 2015Sport 330 unveiled at the Hanseboot Ancora show in Neustadt in May, from just over 106,000 GBP ex VAT
  2. 2015MBY tests a Sport 330 with twin D3-220s and records 34.8 knots
  3. 2017Rebadged S33 for the new S-line, in Open and HT versions
  4. 2022MBY used boat report estimates about 400 delivered
  5. 2025Last S33 HT model year listed by YachtBuyer

Strengths and weaknesses

What owners like

  • Feels bigger than a 33 footer inside
  • Wide engine choice, including economical twin diesels
  • HT sunroof combines shelter and open-air feel
  • Proven in rough water by owners
  • Plenty of used boats to choose from

What to weigh up

  • Early boats were noisy at speed
  • Hard to hold at low speed without thrusters
  • Wet-room heads with no separate shower
  • Sterndrives need regular, costly servicing

Used Bavaria S33 buyer checklist

Take this list to a viewing. Your ticks are saved in this browser so you can come back to it.

Always commission an independent marine survey and an engine survey before you buy. How a marine survey works.

Rivals to consider

Jeanneau Leader 33

French rival with clever convertible dinette and an open-backed Sportop option.

Galeon 335 HTS

Polish hardtop sportscruiser with a slightly more modern feel.

Elan Power 30

Slovenian rival MBY tested head to head with the Sport 330.

Sea Ray Sundancer 320

Larger American alternative with stronger US dealer support.

Compare side by side

Our verdict on the Bavaria S33

The Bavaria S33 does exactly what Bavaria intended: it packs a convincing 33 ft cruising boat into an affordable price and offers enough engine choices to suit almost any budget. Owners have proved its seakeeping well beyond its brochure, and its large production run means good choice on the used market. Choose twin D3s, add a stern thruster if missing, and check the drives and sunroof carefully, and it is one of the smartest first cruisers you can buy.

Bavaria S33 questions answered

Is the Bavaria S33 the same as the Sport 330?

Yes. It launched in 2015 as the Sport 330 and was rebadged S33 from the 2017 model year.

How fast is the Bavaria S33?

MBY recorded 34.8 knots with twin Volvo D3-220 diesels, with a comfortable cruise around 23 to 27 knots.

What is the difference between the S33 Open and S33 HT?

The HT has a hardtop with a manual fabric sunroof over the forward cockpit, while the Open has no fixed roof.

How much fuel does a Bavaria S33 use?

With twin D3-220s it burns about 70 liters (18.5 gallons) per hour at 27 knots and about 2.38 liters per nautical mile at 23 knots.

How much is a used Bavaria S33?

European listings run from about 85,000 to 210,000 euros, roughly $95,000 to $250,000 depending on year and engines.

More sport yachts & express cruisers to explore

Other Bavaria Yachts models

Buying used? Our step by step used yacht buying guide Financing Work out monthly payments on a Bavaria S33 Sport Yachts & Express Cruisers How this type compares and what to look for