Greyhound 33 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

Under sail, the Greyhound 33 is a quintessential heavy-displacement cruiser. Its handling is defined by high directional stability and a forgiving motion in a seaway, largely due to its long keel and significant ballast-to-displacement ratio. While specific modern technical ratios for this vintage model are rarely published in contemporary reviews, the design's "comfort ratio" is inherently high, making it a preferred choice for sailors prone to seasickness or those tackling high-latitude conditions.

The vessel is almost exclusively found with a cutter rig, which allows for a versatile sail plan. In heavy weather, the ability to drop the headsail and sail under a staysail and reefed main provides a balanced center of effort that prevents the "weather helm" often found in smaller cruisers. According to historical design notes from the Peter Ibold archives, the Greyhound 33 was designed to be "self-steering friendly," and owners frequently report that the boat tracks so well that a windvane or autopilot has very little work to do once the sails are trimmed. However, the trade-off for this stability is felt in light winds; the Greyhound 33 requires a stiff breeze to overcome its wetted surface area, and its performance to windward is respectable but hampered by the drag of its traditional long keel.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The interior of the Greyhound 33 is a product of its era, featuring heavy use of teak and mahogany joinery that provides a warm, ship-like atmosphere. Because the boat is a double-ender, the interior volume at the stern is more constricted than a modern "fat-sterned" cruiser, which typically results in a deep cockpit and specialized storage lockers rather than an aft cabin. The most common layout features a traditional V-berth forward, a central salon with a drop-leaf table that converts into a double berth, and a compact galley and navigation station flanking the companionway.

Variations of the model are rare, as the hull was specialized for the Greyhound line, but it shares significant DNA with its larger sibling, the Endurance 35. While the Endurance 35 was often sold as a deck-saloon or pilot-house version, the Greyhound 33 is almost exclusively found as a traditional trunk-cabin sloop or cutter. The headroom is surprisingly generous for a 33-footer, often exceeding six feet in the main cabin, which was a hallmark of Ibold’s focus on live-aboard comfort for the "average" sailor.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers should approach a Greyhound 33 with a focus on its age and construction methods. The hulls are solid GRP, but like many European boats of the late 70s, they can be susceptible to osmotic blistering if they haven't been treated with an epoxy barrier coat.

A critical inspection area is the deck-to-hull joint and the chainplates. Owners on technical forums have noted that the heavy rigging of the cutter setup puts significant stress on the staysail tack and shrouds; any signs of crazing or moisture ingress in the balsa-cored decks near these points should be investigated. Furthermore, because many of these boats were used for serious offshore work, the original Volvo Penta or Perkins engines are often at the end of their service lives. Prospective owners should also inspect the rudder gudgeons and bushings, as the heavy long-keel rudder can develop play over decades of use, leading to a "thumping" sensation while at anchor or under power.

Community & Resources

The Greyhound 33 benefits from the broader Peter Ibold design community. While there is no dedicated "Greyhound" club, owners typically congregate within the Endurance Owners Association, which covers the various Ibold-designed double-enders. This community is a vital resource for technical drawings and advice on retrofitting these classic hulls for modern cruising.

The Verdict

The Greyhound 33 is a "sailor’s sailboat" for those who value safety and sea-kindliness over the conveniences of modern high-volume production boats. It is an ideal platform for a couple looking to cross oceans on a modest budget.

Pros:

• Exceptional "sea-kindly" motion in heavy weather.
• Robust construction capable of high-latitude or blue-water voyaging.
• Highly stable tracking, making it easy to steer for long periods.
• Timeless, classic aesthetic that attracts attention in any marina.

Cons:

• Lacks the light-air performance of modern fin-keel designs.
• Interior volume is limited at the stern due to the double-ended design.
• Long keel makes maneuvering in tight marinas under reverse power a challenge.
• Older GRP hulls may require significant preventative maintenance for osmosis.