Whether badged Truant or Saturna, the design combines a pilothouse, fin keel, and skeg-hung rudder with a masthead sloop rig. The package is aimed squarely at sheltered, secure living and sailing in unforgiving latitudes.
Design and Construction
Garden intended the Truant 33 to be a sturdy, comfortable coastal or offshore cruiser, and its numbers suit that temperament. Displacement is 13,500 pounds on a 26-foot-9-inch waterline, with 5,000 pounds of ballast, a 0.37 ballast-to-displacement ratio, and a displacement-to-length ratio near 315.
Those figures describe a heavy, settled hull rather than a light racer. Owners and reviews also highlight its solid fiberglass build, long fin keel, and skeg rudder. Above the water, the prominent bow, canoe stern, and pilothouse give the boat an unmistakable profile. The 30-inch-wide side decks and high bulwarks make the deck plan feel more like a secure working platform in a seaway than a sun-deck lounge.
Rig and Handling
Most Truant 33s left the yard as sloops. The standard 505-square-foot sail plan drives a boat that sails surprisingly well for such a heavy boat of this size. In rough weather, it gives a feeling of security and seaworthiness, reinforced by owner reports of good motion in a seaway.
Some owners added an inner forestay and running backstays to create a cutter rig, a practical change for carrying reduced sail in foul conditions. The standard sloop rig, however, handles the boat’s intended purpose without that conversion.
The cockpit is very secure and gains further protection from the pilothouse, but it trades guest space for safety. Its small size is welcome in heavy seas, though it can be a squeeze when entertaining.
Pilothouse and Accommodations
The pilothouse is the heart of the Truant 33. It’s rare on a boat of this size and offers welcome shelter from the region’s famous “liquid sunshine.” The enclosed steering station has excellent light and visibility.
In the most common layout, a quarter berth and navigation station sit to starboard, with the inside steering station just forward. Opposite, a dinette folds down into a double berth. A step leads forward to a small enclosed head and hanging locker to starboard and a galley to port that rivals that of many 40-foot vessels.
The bow contains either a large V-berth with stowage beneath or two staggered crew bunks, one raised to provide additional stowage below. There’s standing headroom throughout the cabin and sleeping space for up to five people. For a modest 33-footer, it offers genuinely livable accommodations for extended cruising in cooler climates.
Variants, Refits, and Ownership
Owners drawn to the Truant 33 tend to value its liveaboard suitability and its usefulness for year-round cruising in the Pacific Northwest or on the Great Lakes. The cutter-rig conversions described above are the most commonly reported owner-initiated change.
The Offshore variant was built without a pilothouse and suits sailors who prefer a traditional cabin top. The near-identical Saturna 33 shares the molds and layout for parts and reference. Tankage is 100 gallons each for water and fuel, supporting extended stays without immediate reliance on shore services.
Known Issues
The sources describe no structural defects, osmotic hull failures, or rigging faults specific to the Truant 33. Instead, they establish a few characteristics that buyers should keep in mind. The small cockpit limits guest accommodation, while the pilothouse—although one of the design’s chief virtues—is a complex enclosed structure whose seals and windows require careful inspection on any individual hull.
The Verdict
The Truant 33 is a purposeful Garden design that delivers protected steering, useful interior volume, and a reassuring feel in rough water from a compact, heavy hull. It isn’t a performance boat, and the cockpit is cramped for a crowd. As a secure cruiser for cold climates, however, it remains distinctive and well considered.
Pros
- Enclosed pilothouse with inside steering, abundant light, and good visibility
- Solid fiberglass construction with a fin keel and skeg rudder
- Roomy accommodations for a 33-footer, sleeping up to five and including a galley comparable to those on many 40-foot boats
- Secure deck with high bulwarks, 30-inch-wide side decks, and a protected cockpit
Cons
- Small cockpit limits guest space
- Heavy displacement and modest sail area favor comfort over speed
- Pilothouse seals and windows require diligent inspection
