Design and Construction
The Hans Christian 33 is a monohull with a solid fiberglass hull laid up from chopped strand mat and polyester resin. Decks are a composite of plywood core with fiberglass inner and outer skins and teak overlays, while the cockpit, decks, and cabin trunk roof are all finished in teak. Secondary bonding of structural members is generally well executed. Ballast is iron encased in the fiberglass keel cavity, reported at 6,800 pounds, and specified displacement is 18,500 pounds — though on travel lift scales most boats weigh in over 20,000 pounds. With a displacement/length ratio well over 300 and a sail area/displacement under 16, the 33 is a heavy, conservatively canvased cruiser that will need a bit of a breeze to be at her best behavior.
Rig and Deck Layout
The 33 is a cutter rig on a Bermuda rig configuration, with sheet and halyard winches placed on the cockpit coaming and mast. Safety and sea-keeping details are robust: there are substantial bulwarks along the side and forward decks, very stout double lifelines well above the average person's knee, and hand rails running the full length of the cabin top. A long keel and keel-mounted rudder underline the traditional bluewater intent.
Accommodations
Below deck the dominant impression is extensive teak joiner work. The layout is unconventional — a double Pullman berth aft to starboard and another forward to port, with a forward head in the very bow that includes a hanging locker and shower. The galley sits on the port side at the foot of the companionway steps, just aft of the dinette; it is small but efficient and comes with a three-burner gimballed stove and an icebox. The dinette table does not convert, but the starboard settee does, giving sleeping space for five. Storage exceeds what most boats this size provide. Ventilation comes from three pairs of dorade vents, two hatches, and six opening bronze ports. The cockpit itself is very small, comfortably seating no more than two for long stretches.
Known Issues
Some degree of osmotic blistering below the waterline is common on these hulls. Some teak overlays were not well bedded, and moisture with associated deck-composite delamination may be found. Engine access is fair but typically means emptying an overloaded port cockpit locker first.
Ownership and Systems
Auxiliary power came from a variety of diesel engines rated 24 to 35 horsepower, with a Yanmar diesel noted among installations and a 3:1 reduction gear driving a large propeller. Provisions exist for both a generator and air conditioning. The galley and ventilation package suggest a boat geared for extended cruising rather than weekend racing.
The Verdict
The Hans Christian 33 is a heavily built traditional cruiser with a thoughtful, if unconventional, interior and a seaworthy deck plan. She is no lightweight performer and demands wind to show her best, but her construction and layout serve the long-distance voyager well.
Pros
- Solid chopped-strand hull with well-bonded structure
- Traditional cutter rig with strong bulwarks and lifelines
- Unusual berth arrangement with generous storage for the size
- Provisions for generator and air conditioning
Cons
- Common osmotic blistering and possible deck delamination
- Small cockpit and awkward engine access
- Heavy displacement needs breeze to sail well
