Hunter 33 Review, Versions and Used Buyer's Guide

Which Hunter 33 are you looking at?

Hunter used the number 33 on several unrelated boats, and listings mix them freely, so start by pinning down the year. The 1977 Hunter 33 is a John Cherubini design. The Hunter 33.5 arrived in 1987, and the Hunter 336, by Rob Mazza, in 1995. The boat most buyers mean today, and the focus of this guide, is the Glenn Henderson Hunter 33 launched in 2004, which was refreshed for 2012 as the Hunter E33 and then sold as the Marlow-Hunter 33 after David Marlow bought Hunter in 2012.

One more source of confusion: the SeaHunter 33 that appears in search results is a center console fishing boat from an unrelated builder, not a sailboat.

• Hunter 33 (1977): Cherubini design, 32 ft 8 in LOA, PHRF around 144 with standard keel
• Hunter 33.5 (from 1987): B&R fractional rig, 11,000 lb, PHRF around 147
• Hunter 336 (from 1995): Rob Mazza design, B&R rig, 27 hp Yanmar 3GM30F
• Hunter 33 (2004 to 2011): Glenn Henderson design, B&R rig, saildrive, arch
• Hunter E33 and Marlow-Hunter 33 (2011 onward): same hull below the waterline, new deck and transom

Glenn Henderson's hull: big-boat volume in 33 feet

Henderson drew the 2004 Hunter 33 after the larger Hunter 41 and 44, and it carries their thinking: maximum beam pulled well aft, a long 29.4-foot waterline, a fine entry and a clean underbody with a high-aspect spade rudder. The result is a boat that sails on more of its length than older 33-footers, with a theoretical hull speed around 7.3 knots, and an interior that feels much larger than the overall length suggests.

The hull is solid fiberglass below the waterline with cored hull sides and deck, a common modern approach that saves weight up high. Keels are cast iron as standard, 5 feet 6 inches for the fin and 4 feet 6 inches for the shoal wing, with lead available as an option. Practical Sailor priced the lead upgrade at about $9,800 on the later E33, which is why so few boats have it.

The arch, the B&R rig and sailing short-handed

Every Hunter of this era is identified by its stainless steel cockpit arch, which carries the mainsheet traveler above the helmsman's head. It looks unusual to traditionalists, but owners love it because it clears the cockpit of sheets and provides a mounting point for a Bimini, lights and antennas. The rig is the Bergstrom and Ridder, or B&R, design with heavily swept spreaders and no backstay, which allows a large roached mainsail and a small, easily tacked jib.

Total sail area is about 625 square feet with a conventional main, or about 542 with the optional in-mast furling. Mast height is quoted at 46 feet 7 inches for the standard rig and 51 feet 11 inches for the furling rig, which is worth checking against fixed bridges on the Intracoastal Waterway. The forward-set mast and small headsail make tacking a one-person job, and Practical Sailor described the helm as exceptionally well balanced.

Six feet two inches of headroom and a huge aft cabin

Henderson carried 6 feet 2 inches of headroom through the main cabin. The layout puts a V-berth cabin forward, a saloon with a dinette, a U-shaped galley with a two-burner stove and oven, a head with shower amidships and a starboard aft cabin with a berth that Practical Sailor described as larger than a queen. The dinette table on later boats cranks down to form an extra berth.

Tankage is modest at 25 gallons of fuel and 50 gallons of water, with a holding tank of about 15 to 25 gallons depending on the source. For weekend and two-week cruising that is enough. Liveaboards usually add a second water tank or a watermaker and more battery capacity. Owners also note a shallow anchor locker, so many fit a bow roller and a smaller chain rode.

Living with the Yanmar saildrive

Early 2004 boats used an 18 hp Yanmar saildrive, the standard engine later became a 21 hp Yanmar, and the 29 hp Yanmar 3YM30 was the popular upgrade. The bigger engine is worth seeking out because it gives authority in a headwind and chop. In Practical Sailor's E33 test, the 29 hp engine gave 6.5 knots at cruise and 7.3 knots flat out.

Owner forums flag an overheating problem on early 29 hp engines built up to mid-2005, with many heat exchangers replaced by Yanmar under warranty. Confirm that work was done. Saildrives demand discipline: annual haul-outs to check the leg's paint and anodes, never using copper-based antifouling on the aluminum leg, and replacing the rubber diaphragm seal on Yanmar's recommended schedule, usually around seven years. Boats delivered with a fixed two-blade prop can be awkward in reverse in wind and current, and a folding or three-blade feathering prop is a worthwhile upgrade.

From Hunter 33 to E33 and Marlow-Hunter 33

For the 2012 model year Hunter launched the E33 with the same hull below the waterline, a new transom with a fold-down swim platform, a revised deck plan and an upgraded interior. Practical Sailor reported that 623 of the earlier boats were built between 2005 and 2011 and that more than 60 E33s sold soon after launch, a strong debut after the 2008 downturn. Cruising World named it Best Compact Cruiser.

After David Marlow bought Hunter in 2012 the boat continued as the Marlow-Hunter 33, with a 2018 base price of about $149,000. Marlow-Hunter, based in Alachua, Florida, has since closed. Parts support now comes from aftermarket suppliers, original equipment makers such as Yanmar, and the very active Hunter owner associations rather than the factory.

Hunter 33 for sale: prices, costs and what to prioritize

In 2026, 2004 to 2011 Hunter 33s typically ask between about $45,000 and $88,000, depending on year, engine and equipment. E33 and Marlow-Hunter 33 models start around $80,000 and reach about $140,000 for late, well-equipped boats. Practical Sailor saw 2012 to 2014 boats listed at $89,000 to $110,000 some years ago, and values have held reasonably well since because the supply of modern American 33-footers is thin.

Annual costs run about $9,000 to $18,000 for slip, insurance, haul-out, saildrive and engine service, and routine replacement items. Prioritize engine and saildrive records, the keel condition (iron keels need regular fairing), and the health of the in-mast furling main, if fitted, because early boats with tired, baggy furling sails are prone to jamming.