Mottle 33 Buyer's Guide
Shopping for a Mottle 33 on the Australian used market means looking at a compact Joseph Adams design built by George Mottle from 1975 onward, with under 200 ever completed. The boat's lead-keeled fin hull and simple systems make it an approachable coastal cruiser, but the small production run means each example must be judged on its own condition rather than fleet reputation.
Layouts on the Used Market
Every Mottle 33 carries the same fundamental plan: two cabins, five berths, a galley, and a head, with 400 liters of water and 120 liters of fuel. The beam gives the interior more space than most similar 33-footers, so buyers should expect a usable saloon and separate sleeping areas rather than a minimal weekender. Differences between boats will come from owner refit rather than hull mold variation.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Most boats on the market will already have solar, a dodger, a chartplotter, a freezer, a bimini, and an autopilot as commonly fitted gear. Lithium batteries, dinghy davits, and a life raft are often seen additions that speak to extended coastal use. Less common owner upgrades include watermakers, wind generators, furling mains, hot water, EPIRBs, and simplified single-handed rigging — useful but not standard, so confirm their presence and condition individually.
What to Inspect
The buyer should verify the hull and deck are made of fiberglass for routine osmosis or impact damage, check the lead fin keel joint, and confirm the shaft-drive diesel — sometimes a Bukh DV24 — runs clean. The 5.2-foot draft and about 34 m2 wetted surface are modest, so underwater gear is accessible in most yards.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
The Mottle 33 is typically found in Australia. For a shopper, the checklist is short: confirm the two-cabin layout suits your plans, verify the commonly fitted solar and autopilot work, inspect the keel-hull junction, and budget for possible owner-upgrade gaps like a furling main or watermaker. It is a niche, well-ballasted coastal boat best bought on condition.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Mottle 33. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 5 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 26 | 4 | $24,964 | — |
| Feb 26 | 1 | $35,561 | +42.4% |
| Mar 26 | 1 | $28,729 | -19.2% |
| Jul 26 | 1 | $28,017 | -2.5% |
| Aug 26 | 3 | $27,299 | -2.6% |
Where they're listed
Mottle 33 listings appear across 1 country. Australia has the most listings with 10.
Country view
10 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | $28,197 | 10 | 4 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
4 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sabre 30-3 | 30.58' | $ 27,000 | 17 | 6 |
| Olympic 33 | 32.58' | $ 24,999 | 15 | 5 |
| Pearson 33 | 32.92' | $ 19,000 | 12 | 5 |
| Mottle 33You are here | — | $ 28,197 | 10 | 4 |