Birchwood 33 or 33GT

33 has a usable deck over the aft cabin, the 33 GT does not - so there is less sitting-about-on-the-aft space, BUT i think the GT looks far cooller

My money would be on the 33 - with the usable aft deck...
 
Agree- the GT is a nice looking boat, better lines and proportions however one complaint is the lack of outdoor entertaining space. The 33 solves that with the aft deck above the cabin. Look at the wheelhouse seating as many have the helmsmans seat on one side and a fore and aft bench on the other. The arrangements do vary and do not suit everyone, so look at a few. Also look at engine options as they also vary considerably although I think around 2 x 120 is about the norm, with some having 2 x 80 and some GTs with 2 x 180. Lots of nice ones on the Thames.
Added later - some (GTs only I think) were also not completed by Birchwood so interiors can vary from very professional to very DIY. I have noticed some flex in decks and the large forward cabin roof so check for cracks incase some are a little light on the lay-up and have been abused.
 
Birchwoods of this generation are good boats, well built and have stood the test of time. The Birchwood 33 or 33GT are great boats with lots of accomodation and value for money, can be used on inland waters or offshore, one other thing, if you keep it in good condition it will sell well when you have finished with it!, very important!

Good Luck
Barry
 
To John,

We are looking to buy one or the other. We wondered if there were anything you should look out for (either good or bad) when viewing one of these boats. Also what sort of performance you get with different engines. We mainly cruise on the river but also on the Bristol Channel so would be interested in any comments as to how the boat handles etc etc. Have read that the 33 is quite suitable for both and we also like the accomodation it offers.

Kathryn
 
I've had mine for 7 yrs now, she has twin ford 120's with borg warner gear boxes, with these she has a top speed of about 17 kts and touch wood other than servicing, the engines have been fine. I went on the GT when looking to buy and they are nowhere near as spacious as the Classic and as others have said the aft cabin deck is a real bonus. I have cruised the East cost quite a bit from the Humber to The Deben and been caught out in a few blows and thankfully she proved a good sea boat, but she is also fine for rivers subject to air draght.. On the downside then joinery is not of the highest standard, you dont need to wory about leaky windows cos you'll have em anyway. Oh and the fuel tanks are mild steel and by now should either have been replaced (i did mine) or will be very thin on the bottom. Other than that i cant think of any major problems but obviously a survey will show them up. If you want to know anything else i'll be happy to help.
 
I think the 33 Classic (full width rear cabin) carries a bit of a premium on price so if the money is tight you may get more for your £ with the GT.
Beware the home builds!
 
LeytonC said:
33 has a usable deck over the aft cabin, the 33 GT does not - so there is less sitting-about-on-the-aft space, BUT i think the GT looks far cooller

My money would be on the 33 - with the usable aft deck...
Click to expand...
I have a silly question, as I have a 33, I am thinking whether anyone has put some additional seat at deck over the aft cabin? any ideas will helpful? thanks
 
DJ.Davey said:
Does anyone know of a gt33 being broken up I'm after a port side P bracket
Click to expand...
It is highly unlikely that you are going to find a second hand "P" bracket for that boat or even finding somebody to remove one from a usable boat.
Whats wrong with the original unit ?, if bent somebody might be able to straighten it, or if corroded, rebuild and refinish back to useable condition.

Replacing with a custom bespoke copy could amount to a considerable percentage of boat value.
Look at repair first.
 
DJ.Davey said:
Does anyone know of a gt33 being broken up I'm after a port side P bracket
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum

I doubt the P bracket was specific to the boat. Replacements are readily available from propeller specialists such as Clements Engineering, Teignbridge Engineering, Hamble Propellers, T Norris, Lake Engineering as examples.
 
When searching for a replacement "P" bracket for a Princess 35 , enquires with Princess as to who supplied Princess with their stern gear in the 1990s drew a total blank.
Enquiries were made regards finding a matching replacement with all the above mentioned companies.
Reply was that the brackets for the boat were highly likely to be probably batch made to order for that hull, length of bracket and angle of cutless bearing for shaft. Think the bracket was also slightly recessed into hull.
Best one could suggest was to courier the old one off to them, they would make a mould and then cast and machine a new one at around £1-2 K provided happy to wait a couple of months.

Oops............
1772313739139.jpeg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

M
Which is the better propeller, Gori or Brunton
Replies
15
Views
663
Channel Sailor
C

Share this page

Top