[/ QUOTE ]33C indicates the Cruiser version. Great boats - sail very well and even the 33OOD version is not half as racy as some modern race boats. If you don't overpress them they sail very very well with just a family on board.
Downside - 2 cabin accomodation. The forepeak is the 'owners' double and there's no-where to stand up and get undressed - shut the door and its only bunk space left!
Upside - great sailing and a real yacht at a bargain price.
We moved on because of teenage children wanting some privacy. If your children are happy, they are great boats.
The 33C has a shorter mast with a masthead rig and has less draft than the 33 OD which should make it simpler to handle.
The extra ballast on that specific yacht may also improve the stability.
The only other comment I would make on that yacht is that the Flavel Vanessa does not have flame failure on all the burners. If I was going to use it I would plan on replacing the cooker.
We looked at Sigma 33's for a while 2 or 3 years back....
As others have said, they are very sailable... a nice combination of solid safe boat and perfromance...However, I would echo the sentiments of at least one other poster above.... the vast majority of the ones we looked at were very tired, and showed distinct evidence of their racing heritage...
Look at things like the hull/deck joint and the toe-rail condition for evidence of broadside knocks from racing... the rigging for evidence of stressed stays from over tensioning, or cranked on backstays... the gooseneck for evidence of violent gybes, the stanchion bases for damage from coming togethers, etc etc....
But.... if you can find a good one, then they are cracking boats to sail...
Overpriced for the location, it is an under ventilated northern European design far away from its natural market. Layout wise it is just a scaled up CO32, a Westerly Fulmar 32 feels bigger and is nearly as much fun to sail.
The IOR pinched stern means it will lack some downwind stability, but otherwise great sailing characteristics. I enjoyed sailing mine around the English Channel.
Check out the state of the galvanized fuel tank, hopefully it would have been replaced with a stainless steel one by now.
I've sailed 33c and 33OOD and I've found the C's rig to be a bit small. The 33c I sailed with regularly was based in Singapore and the layout worked well for the climate (despite what others on here hav said).
You need to go land look at it to see if you like it. Esp if you are keeping it in the med. If you are planning to bring it up here - then I sure you can find better alternatives for less overall cost based up here. Don't underestimate the extra costs of buying abroad not to mention and delivery costs if you need it moved up here.
There is someone who charters 3 Sigmas in the Solent. He always advertises in YM. You coudl try them out with him. SWMBO was very impressed by the boat and the sailing. No connection, but I did charter from him over the New year's break 6-7 years ago.
We had a 33OOD for seven years, both racing and cruising. It really depends on the age of the family - we moved on when our daughters got to later teens and privacy etc became more important. We have cooked meals (dinner and breakfast - full Ulster Fry) for eight with no trouble. Under sail /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif they are fun and the cruising version will stand up to the sails a bit better than the OOD. You can get a lot of boat for the money. Under engine they are also fine once you have got the hang of the prop walk - easy. Our daughters thoroughly enjoyed sailing on our Sigma - the eldest took the quarter berth and the youngest loved the starboard pilot berth. The forecabin is tight but as it opens on to the head there is easy dressing space there. One big advantage for the Med is that the cockpit is quite large and that's where you will spend a lot of time. The price for a 1983 version is not excessive but neither is it a bargain - maybe an opportunity for some serious negotiation. Good luck.
[ QUOTE ]
We had a 33OOD for seven years, both racing and cruising. It really depends on the age of the family - we moved on when our daughters got to later teens and privacy etc became more important. We have cooked meals (dinner and breakfast - full Ulster Fry) for eight with no trouble. Under sail /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif they are fun and the cruising version will stand up to the sails a bit better than the OOD. You can get a lot of boat for the money. Under engine they are also fine once you have got the hang of the prop walk - easy. Our daughters thoroughly enjoyed sailing on our Sigma - the eldest took the quarter berth and the youngest loved the starboard pilot berth. The forecabin is tight but as it opens on to the head there is easy dressing space there. One big advantage for the Med is that the cockpit is quite large and that's where you will spend a lot of time. The price for a 1983 version is not excessive but neither is it a bargain - maybe an opportunity for some serious negotiation. Good luck.
[/ QUOTE ]You experience squares exactly with ours - even to the berths preferred by the children! We had great fun in our 33 and we sailed her all over the place - as far West as Ireland, South as far as Belle Isle, Houat and Hoedic, and East to the Solent. Daughter still misses the foredeck work, although she does like her private cabin now she's 16!
Thanks for that info the space for the family is a issue but weve got 2 boys 9 and 10 so i think we would get a few years of fun before any cries of "do i know you get out of here"
Regards
Thanks for your comments i will take a good look and get a survey before any money changes hands
It is i thought a good price we dont want to spend to much as we will only use it for a max of 8-9 weeks a year and its about the price of 20 weeks charter I phoned the bropker and asked how he thought the owner would react to a offer he didnt seem to over joyed
What would be a starting offer for that sort of boat ?
Regards
Good performance yacht but not ideal for the Med. Cramped cockpit,poor ventilation. not much usable room inside.
Also be careful about the vat -- I don`t think this is vat paid -- W & S usually say "vat paid" on the sale price but they don`t on this yacht.
W&S never seem keen for buyers to make offers -- if you really want to but it INSIST that they make your offer to the seller. Too dear anyway there are better boats out in the Ionian in my opinion.
Doesn't look in bad nick. However, looks like chart table area has been altered (smaller than standard). Also, bridgedeck has been filled in. Cannot be longer than standard boat unless the mean the anchor platform which I reckon would be a PITA.
If you like them as a marque (I had one for 11 years) I would buy an OOD and fit furling gear, fridge etc. Some have already done this. The OOD stands a greater chance of retaining value than the 33C.