Design and Construction
With her 2.5-foot draft, the Quest 33 can slide into shallow, soft canal banks and tie up using stakes and a plank. Her beam is under five meters—likely near 4.54 meters—so she fits through canal locks with only fenders and a scaffolding board between the boat and the lock wall.
Tankage includes 65 gallons of water and a stainless steel fuel tank. One owner had the fuel tank cleaned out as a preventative measure. Inside, large, flat surfaces with few curves make replacing the headlining straightforward.
Rig and Handling
The helm has a small steering wheel, with windows not far behind it. The gear levers sit low near the helm, while the lever used to swing the outboard engine around is directly in front of the skipper. The outboard arrangement also allows the boat to be sailed into port under sail alone, without engine assistance.
First-time catamaran owners found the Quest 33 easy to sail. In winds up to force 6, a reef kept her manageable, and the conditions never prompted concern about the weather. She is comfortable on a reach or downwind. To windward, however, her motion becomes jerky, with more bounce than a monohull.
Accommodation and Inland Cruising
The broad beam creates flat, open interior volumes, while the compact helm layout keeps docking controls within easy reach. Combined with the shallow draft and lock-friendly beam, this makes the Quest 33 well suited to inland waterways, where she can tie to canal banks or pass through locks without drama.
Known Issues and Maintenance
The only ownership-maintenance note is the stainless steel fuel tank that one owner had cleaned out preventatively. The recurring owner observation is the jerky motion to windward, described as inherent to the shallow multihull form.
The Verdict
The Prout Quest 33 is a shallow-draft, canal-capable catamaran that can also cross open water when reefed. She asks little of a new sailor, though her bouncier motion to windward is a clear trade-off.
Pros
- Fits canal locks with minimal side clearance when fendered
- The 2.5-foot draft allows her to tie to shallow, soft banks using stakes and a plank
- Easy to sail solo and capable of entering port under sail alone
- Stable through force 6 when reefed
- Flat interior surfaces simplify headlining replacement
Cons
- Jerky, bouncier motion to windward than a monohull
- Small helm wheel with windows close behind limits aft sightline awareness
