Alajuela 33 Buyer's Guide
The Alajuela 33 was launched in 1978 as Raymond Richards' design built by Alajuela Yacht Corp., grown from a 28-foot concept to give the hull length and inertia for offshore conditions, with a 33-foot-1-inch deck length and 27-foot-6-inch waterline. The boat is a cutter with 4,700 pounds of lead ballast in a 13,500-pound hull, a canoe stern, and a skeg rudder with wheel steering plus a backup tiller. The chainplates were moved inboard to permit a tighter sheeting angle, and the cutter rig was selected for its better-balanced reefing.
Layouts on the Used Market
Alajuela 33s on the used market follow the as-built interior with six berths including the twin quarter berths aft. Those quarter berths were laid out by the builder for storage rather than for sleeping, so expect them to serve as sail and provision stowage on most boats you inspect. The main cabin and forward arrangements are conventional for a 33-foot cruiser of the late 1970s.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
The Pisces 27-horsepower two-cylinder diesel is based on a Peugeot engine and is the standard power plant. Buyers should confirm cold starting and absence of leaks. The boat carries 50 US gallons of diesel, 110 US gallons of water in twin stainless bilge tanks, and a 25 US gallon holding tank as original specification.
What to Inspect
On a viewing, check for weather helm by taking the boat out and noting how much helm correction she demands on a close reach in a fresh breeze, and whether the wheel loads up as she heels. A boat needing constant weather-wheel through normal sailing ranges should be priced with that trait in mind. Several owners have reported this characteristic, so treat a heavy helm as a known watch item rather than a surprise. Also inspect the full-length double-bonded hull-deck seam for any separation.
Buyer's Takeaway
- Sail the boat and feel for weather helm across wind angles
- Confirm the backup tiller steers the skeg rudder cleanly
- Inspect the full-length hull-deck seam for any separation
- Verify the twin bilge water tanks and 25-gallon holding tank integrity
- Check the Pisces diesel, a Peugeot-based 27-horsepower unit, for cold start and drip-free running
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Alajuela 33. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 2 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 25 | 1 | $25,000 | — |
| Jan 26 | 1 | $25,000 | 0.0% |
Where they're listed
Alajuela 33 listings appear across 1 country. Mexico has the most listings with 2.
Country view
2 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | $25,000 | 2 | 0 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
5 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conyplex 33 | 32.25' | $ 24,500 | 13 | 2 |
| Caliber 33 | 32.5' | $ 43,950 | 12 | 6 |
| Aloha 34 | 34' | $ 21,278 | 8 | 4 |
| Pearson Vanguard 33 | 32.58' | $ 8,500 | 3 | 2 |
| Alajuela 33You are here | — | $ 25,000 | 2 | 0 |