2022 Schaefer V33 review

Schaefer Yachts launched in Australia at the 2022 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, but has produced a quality range of fibreglass sports boats and motor yachts out of Brazil for more than two decades.

Schaefer is an internationally respected boat brand with representation in most countries worldwide. It was only a matter of time before it would land Down Under.

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There are a dozen models in Schaefer's boat range. The largest is the mighty Schaefer 25m, a contemporary-styled, deluxe-appointed flybridge cruiser that would not look out of place in Monte Carlo, rafted up alongside superyachts for the Monaco Grand Prix.

The smallest of the current crop of Schaefer Yachts is the Schaefer V33, a very European/Scandinavian styled sports dayboat with a distinctive plumb bow and the option of twin outboard or single sterndrive engine power.

The Schaefer V33 is the subject of this report. We tested this cool-looking walkaround centre cabin boat paired with dual 250hp Mercury V8 four-stroke outboard engines.

Schaefer Yachts Australia has Schaefer V33 package prices starting from around $550,000 for a standard boat with the dual 250hp Mercury outboard engines.

These finely crafted dayboats leave the Schaefer Yachts factory with lots of good gear, so this price includes much of what you can see pictured on the test boat.

The deluxe dual-width helm station is standard. So too is the overhead hardtop with integrated lean seat/storage box.

This boat also come with deluxe bow and stern cushioned seating, single-level walkaround decks, huge aft boarding platforms with telescopic swim ladder, and a full-height cabin with reconfigurable V-berth and an enclosed, standing-room head compartment.

Our test boat was set up as a demonstrator, upgraded with extra gear and equipment. Key options included a grey/silver color hull; an MC2 Quick Gyro stabiliser; bow thruster; cabin air conditioning; 4kW generator, teak decking throughout; wet bar with electric barbeque and fridge; hot water cylinder; Fusion six speaker audio system; and a pair of Simrad GO12 multifunction displays.

With the above options, and paired with the two V8 Mercury outboard engines, the sail-away package price rises to $649,000.

The Schaefer V33 has a contemporary-looking hull with a moderate/deep-vee hull bottom and plumb bow shape reminiscent of designs from Finland boatmakers Axopar and Saxdor.

The Schaefer V33 is made on the other side of the world, though, and differs from these Scandinavian brands in other respects.

The Schaefer V33 is a bigger than its svelte looks would indicate; this boat has an overall length of 10.74 metres with a maximum beam of 3.36 metres and a dry weight, with engines, of about 4950kg.

The hull bottom has a slim entry shape at the bow with finely drawn shoulders and high, smooth topsides stretching aft to a Portofino-style transom.

Full-length lifting strakes help to stabilise the hull at rest and underway, and provide lift at the stern to glide the hull easily onto the plane.

A gyro stabiliser is offered with this boat to further stiffen it at rest.

Unusually, the Schaefer V33 does not have a fixed transom bulkhead. Instead, the cockpit floor extends out to the rear boarding platforms on a single level. The aft platforms are then closed off with a transom side gate similar (weirdly enough) to a US pontoon boat.

Standing in for the transom bulkhead is a fibreglass bench seat that separates the cockpit from the twin boarding platforms and the outboard engine well.

Our test boat was fitted with a three-quarter width, L-shaped bench seat, but other seat/bench configurations are available.

A popular option is a pair of wide cockpit bench seats separated by a pedestal-mounted teak table. With this layout, the aft seating area converts into a huge sunpad. Reversible backrests allow these two opposing bench seats to face forward or aft.

With regard to construction, the Schaefer V33 is made from fibreglass and modern, no-rot composite materials. All structural areas are vacuum infused with vinylester resin to provide structural durability and resistance to osmosis.

The Schaefer V33 is an open deck boat made for day cruising and entertaining. It can carry up to 10 passengers, and there is ample seating and lounging areas for this purpose.

At the bow, there a huge, cushioned chase lounge for two people, complete with comfortable diamond-stitch upholstered back-rests and folding arm-rests with cup holders.

Interestingly, the front section of the moulded console – effectively the cabin roof – hinges open so you can access the cabin from the front deck.

You could, theoretically, climb in and out of this front opening, but its main function (apart from being an emergency exit) is to provide ventilation and ambient light to the cabin.

There are no sub-floor storage bins forward, but there is a shallow compartment behind a hatch that unfolds from the anchor well bulkhead. This space was used to stow a fire extinguisher, and the winding handle for the optional bow and stern shade extensions.

The Schaefer V33 comes with a full anchoring system complete with a hidden/recessed anchor and rode, and an electric windlass.

A switch at the helm will deploy the anchor, or there are push-button foot controls on the front deck.

Surrounding features include sockets for the shade extension poles, large pop-up cleats to each side of the anchor well, deck lighting, stereo speakers, low-set bow rails and padded coaming bolsters. The latter stretch the full length of the boat on both sides.

The Schaefer V33 has a dual-width helm station console with a black gloss finish to the dash top and fascia.

The tilt-adjust stainless steel steering wheel and binnacle throttle are offset to the starboard side beneath a wide, flat glass electronics panel, and alongside the tinted sliding door to the lower cabin.

As noted earlier, our test boat was optioned with two large Simrad NSS GO12 displays, but there is still space for the back-lit, push button switches, the bow thruster joystick, cup holders, a dash-top compass, VHF radio, and more.

I don't normally favour a starboard side offset helm, but it works very well on the Schaefer V33.

Other features include a two-tier teak surfaced footrest for maximum seated comfort, along with several excellent grab handles.

The single-piece, freestanding windscreen is suspended above the dash, and plays no part in supporting the overhead hardtop that has its own support structure.

The open nature of the front windscreen could be compared to the windshield of a convertible car in that it is open on all sides for the full outdoor boating experience, albeit at the expense of some weather protection.

Notable features surrounding the helm include port and starboard horizontal gunwale racks for the shade extension poles, along with steps that unfold from the side decks to make it easy to disembark onto a wharf or mothership.

The dual-width helm leaning post incorporates an equally wide vinyl padded bench seat that can configure as standing lean seat, or folds out so the skipper and front passenger can sit comfortably before the helm.

This seating design is quite clever - better I believe than having seats with regular flip-up front bolsters.

Behind the bench helm seat our test boat was optioned with a wet bar/outdoor galley completed with electric barbeque, fridge, sink with running water, an icebox, pull-out bin, and a neat glassware cupboard.

Overhead, the metallic grey-coloured fibreglass hardtop provides the helm station with shelter from the sun.

Behind the helm lean seat the teak-surfaced cockpit floor stretches about 2.0 metres back to the aforementioned L-shaped lounge/entertaining area.

There's storage space beneath the aft lounge seats, along with a cavernous storage compartment/lazarette beneath the cockpit floor. This space contains the optional 4kW generator, and is used as the engine room with sterndrive engine applications. 

The Schaefer V33 has a spacious air conditioned V-berth cabin located behind the lockable sliding door at the helm, and then down three steps into the hull.

The cabin has full standing headroom for most people, with a sole to ceiling measurement of about 185cm.

You'll also find carpeted flooring, soft-touch vinyl lining the ceiling, and ample storage space.

There are storage bins at the bottom of the stairs, dry storage compartments under the berth cushions, as well as a full height storage cabinet behind the berth on the starboard side.

When you enter the cabin there is also an attractive, metallic grey finish double storage cupboard to port with flat counter space overhead.

Opposite is a full-height head compartment behind an equally glossy, beautifully finished door with quality door handles and hardware.

Inside the bathroom/head compartment is an electric flush toilet, sink with mixer tap, pull-out shower, opening porthole window, mirror, towel rack, and storage cupboards with a solid-surface benchtop.

The berth in the forepeak can be configured as two single beds/seats, or converted to a large double berth with the addition of two infill cushions.

Soft padded backrests with side storage pockets flank each berth, while down lights illuminate the cabin at night.

Three big windows and the front opening hatch flood the cabin with ambient light during the day.

Overall, I found the Schaefer V33's cabin to be comfortable and practical for overnighting. The light-coloured upholstery (other colours are available) also creates a sense of space, although I would worry about marking those gorgeous off-white berth cushions.

Buyers can option the Schaefer V33 with a single Mercruiser or Volvo Penta petrol sterndrive, but most buyers opt for dual outboard engine power.

Our test boat was paired with two 250hp Mercury V8 extra-longshaft (25") outboard engines, but you can option the boat with up to 600hp.

The Schaefer V33 performs well with the twin 250hp Mercury outboard engines, but I can understand why you might upgrade to the larger 300hp Mercury V8 outboards. The 300s are essentially identical to the 250hp engines on the test rig, just more powerful.

The Schaefer V33 can certainly handle more power. We recorded a top speed of 40 knots with the twin Mercury 250s topping out at 5400rpm. At this speed the Schaefer V33 felt quick and lively, but I'd still think about running a pair of Mercury 300s, keeping in mind that this boat is rated to carry up to 10 adults.

The Schaefer V33 does not need any more power, but fitting the larger engines would make best use of the boat's great handling and ride. You'd also have power to spare for towsports such as waterskiing and wakeboarding.

The Schaefer V33 is a smooth-riding boat despite having quite a modest 18.9 degrees of vee angle at the transom.

The bow entry shape is nice and sharp, allowing the hull to slice nicely through bay chop and offshore ocean swell.

The sea conditions were mild offshore from the Gold Coast during our boat test, so we were able to blast along the shoreline fronting Surfers Paradise, to play in the slow rolling swells before heading further offshore to find a bit of wave action.

The Schaefer V33 handled well throughout; it was easy to drive, well balanced, smooth and stable.

I'm not sure the plumb bow contributes a whole lot to the boat's performance, but it certainly looks cool and modern.

The boat was dry for the most part, although the absence of flare in the topsides did allow for some wind-blown spray to come over the front quarter in a beam sea.

Through the turns the Schaefer V33 feels safe, solid, sure-footed with just the right amount of propeller slip from the big Mercury outboards.

Performance

Range on 95% of the 700L fuel supply: 219.8nm at 3500rpm
*Both engines

Verdict

The Schaefer V33 is built in Brazil, but tailor-made for Australia's boating lifestyle. This finely crafted, European styled centre cabin is a wonderful day boat and weekender for socialising and entertaining.

At 10.0 metres long, the Schaefer V33 is big enough for most family day boating activities, yet not so large that it becomes daunting to use; you don't need to be a gun skipper to run it.

The Schaefer V33 is a craft you'll want to enjoy often – a sports boat with all the features and amenities you need to make the most of your leisure time on the water.

Specifications
Model: Schaefer V33
Length overall: 10.74m
Beam: 3.36m
Draft: 740mmm
Deadrise: 18.9 degrees
Weight: 4950kg (dry)
Bridge clearance: 3.7m
Maximum power: 600hp
Engines as tested: Dual 250hp Mercury V8 four-stroke outboard engines
Generator: Fischer Panda 4kW
Fuel: 700L
Water: 150L
Passengers: 10

Priced from: $550,00 including a white-coloured hull and deck with dual 250hp Mercury V8 extra-longshaft (25-inch) outboard engines

Price as tested: $649,000. As above but with a silver/grey metallic-coloured hull; an MC2 Quick Gyro stabiliser; bow thruster; cabin air conditioning; Fischer Panda 4kW generator; teak decking throughout; wet bar with electric barbeque and fridge; hot water cylinder; Fusion six speaker audio system; and a pair of Simrad GO12 multifunction displays

Supplied by: Schaefer Yachts Australia