Design and Construction
The 33 has the classic Tartan-S&S profile: a rakish entry flowing into a subtle sheer and reverse transom. Its low-profile cabinhouse blends into a substantial dodger breakwater, a Tartan trademark.
Reducing brightwork was one of the design parameters. Exterior wood is kept to an absolute minimum, limited to handrails atop the cabin and trim around the companionway. Most boats have an aluminum toerail that serves more than a decorative purpose. The hull and deck meet on an inward-facing flange, and the through-bolts secure the toerail, making it a structural part of the hull. The joint is bedded with both butyl and polysulfide.
The hull and deck are balsa cored, although the forward section of the hull is solid fiberglass below the waterline. Bulkheads are well tabbed to the hull. Molded liners are used in the forward and aft sections, as well as in the galley and head.
Both the standard Scheel keel and the deeper fin fitted to the later 33R are externally bolted to a common keel stub. The keel bolts are readily accessible for inspection in the bilge. On deep-keel models, the shared stub leaves a void along the stub—a quirk of the common tooling rather than a defect in the shoal version.
Rig, Handling, and Performance
The standard Tartan 33 carries a fractional, double-spreader rig. The halyards were originally handled at the mast, although the dodger breakwater has fairleads for routing them aft. Most boats were built before self-tailing winches became standard. Most also lack runners, relying instead on swept upper spreaders to maintain rig tension.
Wheel steering was standard, with a 32-inch wheel that provides good feedback. A vestigial skeg offers the rudder some protection.
Under sail, the 33 tracks well and prefers to be kept flat. She is somewhat tender, and the large mainsail—just over 300 square feet—should be reefed early. The Scheel keel limits pointing ability, while the fractional rig clearly restricts downwind performance. Even so, the boat sails very effectively under mainsail alone, including off the wind. Most owners seem to regard a 135 as the ideal headsail.
The later 33R paired a masthead rig with a deep-draft fin and was, by most accounts, a much faster boat. The standard 33, however, has logged plenty of Bermuda passages and offers rewarding overall performance, with a PHRF rating of about 160.
Accommodations
Belowdecks, the layout is fairly predictable but works well for a couple or small family. In the B arrangement, the galley sits immediately to starboard. It includes a large single sink facing aft, along with the icebox compartment. Later B models have 22 separate lockers.
In the original plan, the icebox was across from the galley, just forward of the navigation station. The B plan lengthened the settee and eliminated the pilot berth. The navigation station has a good-sized chart desk, with the electrical panel mounted there; later boats added a chart-storage locker below. A decent-sized quarterberth lies behind the navigation station.
The saloon has facing settees and a table that folds against the main bulkhead when not in use. Eight opening portlights provide terrific cross-ventilation.
When the doors to the saloon and forward cabin are closed, the head spans the full beam. The mast also passes through this compartment. Although the arrangement provides generous space for showering, no one can enter or leave the forward cabin while the head is occupied.
The forward cabin has a comfortable V-berth with a water tank beneath it. A hanging locker with drawers is fitted to port.
Known Issues and Refit Considerations
The void along the keel stub on deep-fin boats results from using the same production tooling for both the Scheel and deep-fin models; it is not described as a structural failure. The full-beam head is roomy for showering, but it blocks access to the forward cabin whenever the compartment is occupied.
Because both the hull and deck are balsa cored, owners need to remain alert for moisture intrusion, though old Tartans have a track record that offers some reassurance. The Tartan 33 is not the easiest boat to refit, and parts for this discontinued design can be difficult to source.
The Verdict
The Tartan 33 is a thoughtfully executed S&S coastal cruiser that combines traditional Tartan styling with a low-maintenance exterior and a practical interior. She rewards sailors who keep her flat and reef early. Her shoal Scheel keel opens access to shallow harbors without demanding a racing rig.
The accommodations are clever, though the full-beam head brings a clear compromise. Overall, the build quality helps explain the model’s enduring presence on the water.
Pros
- Classic Sparkman & Stephens Tartan profile with minimal brightwork
- Structurally integrated aluminum toerail and accessible keel bolts
- Tracks well and is easily handled under mainsail alone
- Proven on Bermuda passages
- Well-ventilated interior, with numerous lockers in later B models
Cons
- Scheel keel limits pointing ability, and the fractional rig reduces downwind performance
- Head blocks access to the forward cabin when occupied
- Somewhat tender, requiring early reefing of the large mainsail
- Not the easiest boat to refit, with parts sometimes difficult to source
