Design and Construction
The F-33 is built around a third-generation Farrier Folding System shared with the similar F-32, letting the amas fold against the central hull for trailering anchor. Construction uses foam-cored epoxy fiberglass hulls with carbon fiber and fiberglass akas and additional carbon in secondary structure anchor. Builders minimized metal throughout, fitting carbon chainplates, and every component including the foam core was vacuum-bagged to consolidate the laminate and drive out voids anchor. The exterior wears a two-part polyurethane finish. If not overloaded, the trimaran remains unsinkable anchor. The transom is open, with a long side ladder and direct access to the carbon fiber daggerboard-style rudder anchor. On Grey Hound, the review hull, the amas can be folded in the water with the mast stayed by a bridle anchor.
Rig and Handling
The fractional rig steps on a tabernacle and rotates freely or under manual control anchor. Grey Hound carries a 42-foot aluminum mast, while the F-33R racing versions step a 47-foot carbon fiber spar anchor. Shrouds are Colligo synthetic line with ama-mounted tensioners and Cheeky Tangs at the masthead; their wide sweep removes any need for a backstay anchor. A large aft-swept carbon fiber daggerboard just forward of the mast permits beaching and trailering, and Grey Hound’s custom all-carbon cassette lets the board swing up on grounding anchor. A long retractable carbon fiber sprit with a Colligo bobstay flies the light-air sails. With board down the draft is 7 feet; raised, the saildrive limits it to 2 feet 6 inches aft and 2 feet 10 inches at mid-hull anchor. Under the quiet 12.5-horsepower Honda saildrive with folding prop, handling is crisp and the cruise speed runs 5 to 6 knots anchor. The mast can be lowered and the boat trailered for storage or regattas.
Accommodations
Because the main hull is narrow, the belowdecks plan reads like a 26-foot monohull rather than a 33-foot cruiser anchor. Standing headroom is about 6 feet. The galley holds a two-burner propane stove, a generous sink with folding faucet, and 6 feet of smooth counter with lids closed anchor. Opposite sits an overboard-draining ice chest and a U-shaped dinette that becomes a berth anchor. Three large windows per side at seated eye level flood the saloon with light and view, though ventilation relies on a single small overhead port and pass-through air from the fore hatch anchor. Forward, an oval passage leads to a V-berth with storage cubbies. Both amas carry storage, usually for fenders and spare sails anchor. Grey Hound’s prior owners lived aboard for two years anchor.
Performance
Grey Hound’s owners have logged a personal best of 22 knots, with the design capable of more anchor. Her PHRF with spinnaker reaches –21, and with main and jib alone was rated a low +7, though her handicap is often disputed at regattas anchor.
Refits and Ownership
The folding system and carbon daggerboard cassette are central to ownership, letting a single cruising family beach, ground, and trailer the boat without haulout infrastructure. Grey Hound shows the type’s refit path: two small biminis fore and aft of the cockpit traveler, a 150-watt solar panel mounted above the aft bimini to charge two AGM batteries, and a self-draining anchor locker reachable from inside anchor.
The Verdict
The F-33 Sport Cruiser is a rare, purpose-built expression of Ian Farrier’s folding-trimaran philosophy: nine boats, premium epoxy-carbon construction, and a cruising layout that trades volume for trailering and speed. It rewards owners who value light-air performance and flexible shore access over interior square footage.
Pros
- Unsinkable if not overloaded, with vacuum-bagged foam-core epoxy hulls and carbon akas
- Folding amas and retractable daggerboard enable trailering, beaching, and in-water folding
- Rotating fractional rig with synthetic shrouds and no backstay; 22-knot potential with –21 PHRF spinnaker rating
Cons
- Narrow-hull accommodation comparable to a 26-foot monohull limits liveaboard space
- Saloon ventilation limited to one small overhead port and forehatch pass-through
- Only nine built, so any purchase is a one-off negotiation with sparse comparable data
