Hunter e33

At shoulder height, the mainsheet runs through a jammer from its track on top of the sturdy stainless bimini and without much effort the headsail furling line can be simply fed back here as well, giving the single-hander total control. The Scanstrut binnacle is dominated by the chest-high Raymarine C90 plotter with a cluster of ST60 readouts nestled below and conveniently includes the engine gear lever as well (with push button starter button and rev counter on the starboard side).

The review boat came with teak finishing on the cockpit table and seats, a worthwhile extra I’d say to reduce the glare from acres of glossy fibreglass.

The starboard bench covers the guest cabin’s hatch while to port deep storage is available with additional space on both quarters, where transom seats are another good feature. Traditional washboards are stored in the portside locker. On the cabin top, Lewmar jammers along with smallish L16 winches control the halyards with tail bins on both sides, another good Hunter signature feature. One option I’d take would be the upgrade of the L16s to bigger L30 halyard winches though.

Moving forward, side deck space has improved with the lower shroud located inboard on the e33, giving clear way forward. Nonslip is not the best however, as some surfaces, including the flat, shiny area around the shroud are non-abrasive. However, a study stainless handrail and sufficiently tall lifelines offer plenty of support. Other deck features of the e33 include flush Bowen hatches, throughout, complemented by a plastic Dorade vent and partial gutters to hide lines.

At the pulpit, a fairly conventional setup includes a vertical Lewmar L2 windlass (optional) with capstan, set above a rather shallow chain locker (so as not to impinge on the main V-berth) with single bow roller. Cleat sizes are perhaps undersized and, departing from the layout of the old 33, the new model has stern cleats located down on the transom, not ideal when loads are put on them from directly behind.

The saloon has the dinette to port with U-shaped seating for at least six while the solid hardwood table slides down to form a useful day berth. Lifting up the floorboards near the dinette table reveals substantial three-quarter-inch stainless keelboats in a fairly shallow bilge with obligatory pump. Opposite, the single port settee is versatile thanks to the middle section folding down to form the chart table, giving the navigator the choice of seats either side while the electronics and control panel nestle on the rear bulkhead. Bulkhead space is lacking for a second plotter here because the large switch panel, VHF radio and stereo lay claim to all of this area. However jacks for an iPod or similar MP3 players are a useful option now available.

The dark wood finish throughout, with Brazilian Alder laminates and solid sections on corners lends a traditional feel to the cosy saloon. Solid handholds run the length of the area which has 6ft 4in headroom and the mast compression post is unobtrusive at the forward V-berth bulkhead. Natural lighting is through twin flush Bowen hatches with shades plus two hull windows either side while halogen lights are used throughout.

Galley work surfaces are of solid Corian and this port side area houses the front-opening Dometic fridge, chest icebox and Force 10 two-burner stove with grill. Possibly, the top-opening rubbish locker could have multiple uses to boost the rather meagre storage. Two topside cupboards and nearby microwave plus deep sink, finishes off what is a practical galley.

Opposite to port the bathroom has an electric head with macerator and, an improvement from the previous model, are opening hatches. Given this is only a 33 footer, the floor area is adequate enough for a sailor to comfortably use the shower with floor drain and strong grab rails again showing a sensible approach, which is typical of this new Hunter.

The saildrive Yanmar uses a ZF leg and is accessed by simply lifting up the companionway steps on their gas struts and of course being a saildrive, it’s rear facing which means most of the service points have to be accessed from a hatch in the guest cabin. Apart from the front facing gearbox oil, the impellor, dipstick and diesel filters are at the back. Ideally, I’d replace the opaque diesel filter with a clear bowl for easy checking. A 60 amp hour alternator runs off the engine, feeding a 75amp starting battery and single 200amp house battery with both being well fixed into the starboard locker. In addition the review boat came with an inverter to run laptops and similar gear.

The in-house designer Glen Henderson penned GRP hull has the in-vogue chine, something the company initially did with their Hunter 18 just before the e33, that is intended to increase stability when heeled. Construction is of solid FRP underwater with FRP/Balsa Sandwich above with integrated reinforced grid for strength. I noticed a smooth standard of finish inside the hull with no untreated laminates. Other quality construction included the quadrant which was located high up the rudder shaft with its top easily accessible from the cockpit.

Typical of modern designs, the beam has been carried further aft on the e33 than her predecessor -- from the stern cabin -- to accommodate the new swim platform. This is a major new feature on the e33, the ‘e’ referring to the ‘extended area’ created by deploying this three-foot platform which drops down on a rope clutch with stainless ladder alongside.

Keel configurations are either cast iron deep draft or shoal water winged keel and there’s even a bilge keel option listed in the brochure, a handy way of drying out in tidal harbours.

Clearing the congested waterway below the Harbour Bridge gave us enough sea room to haul out the in-mast mainsail, done easily from the cockpit once the furler was unlocked at the mast. The double-ended mainsheet is controlled by blocks on top of the bimini and held on a jammer near the helm.

Similarly the Doyle genoa rolled out easily and I quickly sheeted it from my helm position as I shaped a windward course. From the high side, the outboard sitting position is comfortable but the downside is an inability to see the genoa telltales, so I chose the leeward rail for my perch. One way of overcoming this would be to use a larger-diameter steering wheel than the optional Lewmar folding one fitted, but then you reduce access to the swim platform and outside shower.

In the 10-knot breeze the e33 glided along at 5.2kts while hard on the wind at 48 degrees. Running was definitely not the e33’s favoured point of sail with on 3.7knots showing at 120 degrees in the 12 knot wind.

Typical of our La Nina summer the clouds gathered over Sydney Harbour and rain splattered down but under the bimini I remained snug and dry with no need for wet weather gear -- a good indictment for a cruising boat.

Changing our point of sail, from running to gybe round involved no dramas on the e33 -- simply grab a handful of mainsheet and pull it through the Lewmar jammer then spin the wheel while letting go of the nearby genoa sheet; all done from my helm position. Once on a beam reach I then clicked the Auto button on the Raymarine autopilot before gingerly going forward with camera to take a few deck photos.

It’s easy to see why dealer Matt Hayes has a fleet of older 33s for chartering, as they are easy to sail and the new e33 is a competent entry-level cruising boat.

Jeanneau SO 33i: A well-proven lightweight cruiser from the French giant with performance hull and myriad of upgrade options to enhance this Marc Lombard design.

Catalina 355: A well made and highly stable cruiser from the American builder whose range has a strong following in Australia for good reason.