Design and Construction
The hull form is purposeful rather than decorative. Minimal overhangs make the most of the 33 feet of sailing length, while the midsection shows some deadrise that diminishes going aft and accentuates forward into a V-shaped entry, paired with a stern drawn in the J/24 and J/35 style. The fin and rudder are typical of the J Boats family, and the profile of the boat is uncluttered and simple. Above the waterline the deck is a typical J Boats deck with minimal camber and a boxy little cabintrunk; its virtue is that it accomplishes its headroom requirements in the minimum amount of space, leaving the deck clear for optimum play. The deck is not cluttered with coamings around the cockpit, and the so-called Jacuzzi cockpit—named for its rounded corners—is just a footwell for the helmsman and one trimmer, with footrests next to the mainsheet traveler to help keep the helmsman up to weather.
Rig and Handling
Up forward there is a toe rail that is replaced aft by genoa track along the rail, and the two-spreader rig features slightly sweptback spreaders. Disappearing checkstays are standard, presumably accomplished with a bullet block at the chainplates and some bungee cord. From the factory the boat was fitted with rod rigging, a hydraulic backstay, and Harken rudder bearings. The upwind shape is a nice one, giving the J Boats family a rock-solid feel on the wind with sufficient power to let you feel like you are driving the boat, and the design's well-rounded effective performance range is a direct product of that medium-light displacement.
Accommodations
Inside, the layout favors function over flourish. The interior could be comfortable for a small family to cruise, with good berths and a semi-enclosed head and nothing fancy beyond that. A dining table is optional, as is a removable forepeak with cushions and canvas curtain—both left to the owner's cruising ambitions rather than forced by the class.
Racing Identity and Ownership
Strict class rules are written and intended to minimize the expense of maintaining a competitive J/33, which is the point for a boat whose target market is sailors eager for close one-design racing and forays into IMS and PHRF fleets. The first of the new J/33s is now racing, and the expectation is that this new J Boat will be very competitive. The auxiliary is a Volvo 2002 18 hp diesel, with 15 gallons of fuel and 30 gallons of water—modest but appropriate for a boat that performs so well it is hard to have negative feelings about her.
The Verdict
The J/33 is a focused 33-foot performer that trades interior gloss for racing currency and a clean, drivable deck. She is a medium-light hull with a V-forward entry and J-family fin-and-rudder manners, dressed with class-rule gear that keeps one-design costs in check.
Pros
- Medium-light 8,100 lb hull with 165 D/L for a well-rounded performance range
- Rock-solid upwind feel with power to spare when driven
- Class rules written to minimize competitive upkeep cost
- Typical J Boats deck leaves maximum room for crew movement
Cons
- Interior is plain; dining table and forepeak enclosure are optional, not standard
- Cockpit footwell sized for helmsman and one trimmer, not a full crew
