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Hunter 33
Designer: Cortland Steck  ·  Builder: Hunter Marine (Usa)  ·  First built: 1983
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About the Hunter 33

Built during Hunter Marine's prolific production era, this 33-footer represents the manufacturer's commitment to accessible cruising sailboats for recreational sailors. The Hunter 33 embodies the design philosophy that made the brand popular among coastal cruisers seeking comfortable accommodations without sacrificing sailing performance. Hunter's signature approach to interior volume maximization is evident in this model, offering generous headroom and living space that rivals larger vessels. The boat features the company's characteristic wide beam and relatively shallow draft, making it well-suited for exploring shallow bays and accessing anchorages that deeper-keeled boats cannot reach. This model appeals primarily to coastal cruisers and weekend sailors who prioritize comfort and ease of handling over racing performance. The Hunter 33 typically incorporates user-friendly systems and straightforward rigging that makes it approachable for newer sailors while still providing enough sailing capability to satisfy experienced crews. Like many Hunter designs from this era, the boat strikes a balance between affordability and functionality, making it an attractive option for sailors seeking their first cruising boat or those looking to upgrade from smaller vessels. The design reflects Hunter's understanding of the recreational sailing market's desire for practical, comfortable boats that don't intimidate less experienced sailors.

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Market Price Estimate Beta
$6,500 – $79,000
typical asking price
Median $20,000  ·  23 listings used
All listings
$6,500 – $79,000 23
Rate a listing price
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About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 33.50 ft / 10.21 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 27.50 ft / 8.38 m
Beam 11.42 ft / 3.48 m
Max Draft 5.25 ft / 1.60 m
Displacement 11,500 lb / 5,216 kg
Ballast 4,600 lb / 2,087 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 514 ft² / 47.75 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Cortland Steck
Builder Hunter Marine (USA)
First Built 1983
Last Built 1986
Number Built 600
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
159
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
16.11
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
40.0
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
246.86
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 6.73 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 16.54
J (Foretriangle Base) 14.00 ft / 4.27 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 497.00 ft² / 46.17 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 238.29
Resources & Community
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