Tradewind 33 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used market for a Tradewind 33 means taking seriously a 1975–1982 John Rock design that was built both by the yard and as owner-finished kits or bare hulls and decks. These long-keel ocean cruisers have a reputation for strength and seaworthiness, and the ones that come up for sale are typically vessels whose owners valued their dependable sea behaviour over speed. Because some were fitted out by amateurs, the single most important buyer's task is judging the individual boat's completion quality rather than assuming a uniform standard.
Layouts on the Used Market
Below decks the Tradewind 33 keeps a split-level plan: the saloon sits low with the galley and chart table raised two steps. The saloon has no coachroof, so light comes from two overhead hatches, and headroom runs from 2.1m aft to 1.78m forward. The forward cabin becomes a large double with an in-fill, and the saloon settees double as sea berths. A separate heads is to port with a big starboard locker. The cockpit is deep and safe but snug with four aboard; the teak sole grating is often raised for comfort. Both water and fuel tanks sit beneath the sole, and a cavernous lazarette adds stowage aft.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Used Tradewind 33s commonly carry chartplotter, solar, bimini, radar, autopilot, EPIRB, and life raft as standard cruising kit. A frequent owner upgrade is a diesel heater for warmth, while teak decks appear less commonly. On well-refitted boats you may find a Beta engine replacing the original Bukh, a bow thruster, and a feathering propeller for better control ahead and astern. Energy and navigation clusters matter most: solar and a wind generator support off-grid passage-making, and AIS with a chartplotter anchors the navigation suite. Canvas such as a bimini aids cockpit living, but the boat's ocean credentials rest on the rig and ground-tackle side — an electric windlass with chain to a forward locker and substantial bow rollers are consequential finds.
What to Inspect
The known issues are practical and worth a close look. Because some boats were owner-built from kits, finish and structural completion vary, so survey the hull-to-deck joint and interior joinery carefully. Check any rudder for past water ingress: on one boat the rudder was split and soggy foam replaced. Note how the gas bottle is stowed — a compartment of the port locker draining into the cockpit with drains beneath the waterline is a weakness; prefer outboard drainage. With shrouds outboard and no granny rails, there is little to brace on at the mast, and coaming-top winches can foul the guardwire through a full handle turn. Confirm engine access: it needs companionway steps and engine-box panels removed, though it then opens up well.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Tradewind 33s typically appear in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Netherlands. For a buyer, the checklist is short and pointed: verify the build route (factory or owner kit), inspect the rudder for water ingress, confirm gas storage drains outboard, assess mast bracing for safe reefing, and test astern handling for prop walk. Accept the weather helm as part of the character, and choose a boat whose refit history shows thoughtful upgrading rather than deferred maintenance.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Tradewind 33. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 7 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 1 | $52,417 | — |
| Dec 25 | 1 | $40,672 | -22.4% |
| Mar 26 | 1 | $40,672 | 0.0% |
| Apr 26 | 2 | $46,545 | +14.4% |
| May 26 | 1 | $57,659 | +23.9% |
| Jul 26 | 1 | $40,672 | -29.5% |
| Aug 26 | 1 | $40,864 | +0.5% |
Where they're listed
Tradewind 33 listings appear across 2 countries. United Kingdom has the most listings with 5 (62.5%), followed by Ireland.
Country view
8 listings · 2 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $40,672 | 5 | 2 | 62.5% |
| Ireland | $52,417 | 3 | 0 | 37.5% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
6 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tradewind 35 | 35.01' | $ 61,103 | 21 | 3 |
| Hans Christian 33 | 32.75' | $ 122,500 | 14 | 3 |
| Conyplex 33 | 32.25' | $ 24,500 | 13 | 2 |
| Cape Dory 33 | 33.04' | $ 31,750 | 10 | 2 |
| Tradewind 33You are here | — | $ 40,768 | 8 | 2 |
| Pearson Vanguard 33 | 32.58' | $ 8,500 | 3 | 2 |