Rhodes Swiftsure 33 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Swiftsure 33 is defined by its versatile centerboard configuration, a hallmark of Rhodes designs intended for East Coast cruising. With the board up, the draft is a remarkably shallow 3’6”, allowing access to thin-water anchorages in the Chesapeake or the Bahamas. When the board is lowered to its full 6’7” depth, the boat provides the windward performance and tracking stability of a deep-keel vessel.

Under sail, the Swiftsure exhibits the characteristic behavior of a heavy-displacement cruiser, with a Displacement/Length (D/L) ratio exceeding 420. This "ultra-heavy" classification translates to a vessel that is nearly impervious to chop, maintaining its momentum with a Motion Comfort Ratio of approximately 31.8. However, this weight requires a stiff breeze to overcome initial inertia; with a Sail Area/Displacement (SA/Disp) ratio of roughly 15.8, it is considered under-canvassed by modern standards in light air. Like many CCA-era boats, the Swiftsure is designed to heel early and find its "groove" at about 15 to 20 degrees, at which point the long overhangs increase the effective waterline length and improve hull speed.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The interior of the Swiftsure 33 is a showcase of traditional Dutch joinery, traditionally finished in rich mahogany or teak. The standard layout features a classic V-berth forward, followed by a port-side head and a hanging locker. The main salon is notable for its inclusion of two genuine pilot berths—tucked high and outboard of the settee berths—a luxury rarely found in modern 33-footers that significantly increases the secure sleeping capacity for offshore passages.

Two distinct models exist: the original Swiftsure 33 and the later Commodore Swiftsure. The De Vries Lentsch-built original models feature a fixed salon table with a central vertical tube that acts as a conduit for the centerboard pennant. In contrast, the Commodore Swiftsure, largely produced by Royal Netherlands Aircraft (Fokker), offered a folding table and more contemporary stainless steel hardware compared to the original's bronze fittings. These later models also moved the centerboard cable routing to the port-side cabinetry to open up the salon floor plan.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers should approach a Swiftsure 33 as a restoration-grade project due to its age. Technical inspection should prioritize the following areas:

• Centerboard Mechanism: The pennant and its routing tube are frequent failure points. The cable often frays where it exits the tube near the table or cabinet, and the board itself can swell or jam in the trunk if not regularly serviced.
• Deck Core Integrity: While the hulls are overbuilt and "bulletproof," the decks use a balsa or plywood core that is prone to delamination around stanchion bases, chainplates, and mast steps.
• Mast Step Corrosion: On many original hulls, the mast step was constructed of steel or iron. Sixty years of saltwater exposure frequently leads to "bleeding" and structural expansion that can compromise the fiberglass around the step.
• Chainplates: The original chainplates are often glassed into the hull or bolted through the deck in ways that make inspection difficult. Crevice corrosion is a high-signal risk for any boat that has not had them replaced in the last 20 years.
• Auxiliary Power: Most Swiftsures left the yard with the Universal Atomic 4 gasoline engine. While reliable if maintained, many owners now prefer a diesel repower for safety and parts availability.

Community & Resources

The legacy of the Swiftsure 33 is preserved by the Seafarer Yachts community, which maintains a presence on technical forums and through the Seafarer Research Center. Owners often share original Philip Rhodes design blueprints and historical documentation regarding the Dutch production years.

The Verdict

The Rhodes Swiftsure 33 is a "Classic Plastic" icon that offers a level of aesthetic beauty and seaworthiness rarely found in modern production yachts. While it is not a "fast" boat by contemporary metrics, it is a formidable choice for the traditionalist who values motion comfort and shallow-water flexibility.

Pros

• Exceptional build quality from the G. de Vries Lentsch shipyard.
• Shallow draft centerboard design is ideal for coastal exploration.
• High motion comfort makes it a stable platform in a seaway.
• Timeless aesthetic with beautiful overhangs and wood-rich interior.

Cons

• Heavy displacement leads to sluggish performance in light winds.
• High maintenance requirements for aging centerboard and wood trim.
• Cramped waterline length limits interior volume compared to modern 33-footers.