Mottle 33 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The Mottle 33 is a solid fiberglass monohull with a fin keel carrying a lead ballast, and the deck is likewise fiberglass. At just over 32 feet on the waterline and 10 feet 9 inches in beam, the hull shows a length-to-beam ratio of 3.05, which makes it more spacious than 66% of similar sailboat designs. The ballast ratio sits at 54 percent — higher than 95 percent of similar sailboats — paired with a displacement-length ratio of 150 that places the boat among the "light racers." That combination of a heavy lead bulb and a comparatively light shell gives the design a stiff, purposeful stance without tipping into extreme racing fragility.

Rig and Handling

The boat is rigged as a masthead sloop, and the standing and running gear follow period proportions: jib and genoa sheets run about 10 meters on 12 mm line, the mainsheet is a long 25-meter run on 12 mm, and spinnaker sheets measure 22 meters. A fin keel with roughly 5.2 feet of draft keeps the yacht within most marina depths, varying slightly with load. Under power, a shaft-drive diesel — sometimes a Bukh DV24 rated at 24 hp — pushes the hull to a calculated 6.6 knots, while the theoretical displacement hull speed is 7.4 knots. The spade rudder and moderate wetted surface of about 34 m2 (365 ft2) contribute to a manageable, responsive feel in sheltered waters.

Performance Profile

The Mottle 33's Motion Comfort Ratio is 19.3, a figure more comfortable than only 21 percent of similar designs, so the ride is firm rather than plush. The capsize screening value is 2.05, a number that indicates the boat would not be accepted to participate in ocean races under that metric. Sail-area-to-displacement is 17.24, and immersion runs about 1,130 pounds per inch, so the yacht settles noticeably under stores but retains a lively response to sail pressure.

Accommodations

Below, the Mottle 33 provides two cabins and five berths, a galley, and a toilet, with 400 liters of fresh water and 120 liters of diesel. The two-cabin layout supports short-family cruising or a couple with guests, and the 90-gallon water capacity is generous for the length. The volume implied by the l/b ratio suggests an open, usable interior rather than a cramped pocket cruiser.

Ownership Notes

Production began in 1975, and the known fleet numbers fewer than 200. The builder, George Mottle, produced a straightforward fiberglass boat with a lead keel and simple shaft-drive machinery, which keeps the systems legible to an owner comfortable with basic diesel and rigging care. The Bukh DV24 remains a period-correct option where fitted.

The Verdict

The Mottle 33 is a specialized Australian light-displacement cruiser-racer with exceptional ballast stability and a roomy beam, let down only by a comfort ratio that favors speed over smoothness and a capsize score that rules out offshore racing rule compliance. For a coastal sailor who values stiffness and space in a compact, simple package, it is a thoughtful choice.

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