Yamaha 33

W

Way

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East Molesey, Surrey (boat in Portsmouth Hbr)
yachts.apolloduck.co.uk
Has anyone heard of the Yamaha 33? Have seen one advertised out there and also that it is similar to the Simga 33 (apparently Yamaha bought the design rights and made their own version?). Huge deep keel, looks seaworthy although I'm sure people will have opinions.

There are the original brochures out there ( www.yamahasailboats.org ) but wondering if anyone's got any real-world experience of them/the 33?
 
I am sure I read a mag review when they first came out-some time ago so probably YM and definitely before the advent of the newer mags from other stables.
 
Hamble School of Yachting had one for ages in the late 80s. A terrific boat, v well made and as such too expensive to compete in the real market over here.
 
Way said:
Has anyone heard of the Yamaha 33? Have seen one advertised out there and also that it is similar to the Simga 33 (apparently Yamaha bought the design rights and made their own version?). Huge deep keel, looks seaworthy although I'm sure people will have opinions.

There are the original brochures out there ( www.yamahasailboats.org ) but wondering if anyone's got any real-world experience of them/the 33?
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I have sailed a Yamaha 33 several times, and liked it a lot. Quite fast, handled very nicely, pretty boat, generally very well put together. Only odd bit is the weird engine installation - tiny Yanmar right up in the bow with an ultra-long propshaft that ran right through the bilge to the stern gland under the cockpit. There is at least one in England - I may have it on brokerage next year if the owner can identify a good replacement.

In fact the only weirder engine installation I've ever met was a rather lumpen Cheoy Lee sailing cruiser with the engine right aft high in the lazarette, driving via a sort of Z-drive. Really odd as some of the other Cheoy Lees (including the one I once had) are very pretty and traditional boats from good designers.
 
Wasn't that the Solent School of Yachting's originally(David Olly's firm) and with his Westerly Fulmars as well? Saw it during this summer at Warsash and Cowes, Still goes well. Brochure says 37footer?

ianat182
 
Twister_Ken said:
Once visited a boat (1/2 tonner?) where the engine box also served as the base for the saloon table. Good place - right on top of the keel for weight distribution and you could take all the panels off for access to all four sides.
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Engines under the saloon table quite common, and much to be said for it (weight distribution, access etc) - but on the Yamaha 33 the engine is actually right up in the forecabin !
 
There are quite a few in Hong Kong which is were I bought my previous boat a Peterson 30 halftonner.
The Yamahas were very well built with overenginered keel stepped masts still my halftonner would sail rings around them.This is not to say they were slow just that those Petersons were really fast especially to windward.
I once saw a Yamaha33 chainplate that had failed to crevice corrosion because it had been made by welding two smaller bars together instead of just using a larger single bar.The water got between the plates and corroded them right through taking the mast down when it failed.A point to check.
 
Thanks for all of the replies...as always, very useful.

Makes sense...the broker said it was an ex-Sailing School boat and I think it might be Southern Sailing's they are selling. She does look good and well put together. Doesn't look "cramped" to me, although I currently have a Trapper 28 so campared to her she is absolutely huge.

Not sure about the engine comment...maybe the sailing school moved the installation as it was right under the campionway in the 'normal' position? Didn't look like an alteration either.

I take it noone knows about the Sigma 33 / buying of design rights then?

Thanks for the help.
 
The Scampi had the same engine forward arrangement, as did the Norlin 34 as originally penned. Peter Norlin obviously liked it that way. Some Swan 36s have the less extreme engine midships, as do other S&S designs of that era.
 
jwilson said:
Engines under the saloon table quite common, and much to be said for it (weight distribution, access etc) - but on the Yamaha 33 the engine is actually right up in the forecabin !
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Not on all of them, I sailed on a Yamaha 33 some years back and the engine was in the conventional under the companionway steps place.

Good strong seaworthy boats but if used as a seaschool boat may have had some hard use and abuse.
 
graham said:
Not on all of them, I sailed on a Yamaha 33 some years back and the engine was in the conventional under the companionway steps place.

Good strong seaworthy boats but if used as a seaschool boat may have had some hard use and abuse.
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Looking through the Yamaha brochures online it says on one page "the engine is now aft", or words to that effect, and the engine is a 3GM (27hp). Clearly it was an early model boat I sailed that had a 9 hp 1GM under the forepeak berth. It worked OK though, though if you wanted to get anywhere quickly you were better off under sail except in a flat calm.
 
Twister_Ken said:
I think Southern Sailing ran one as a school boat for many years. Some measure of reassurance, I guess.
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The Southern Sailing School boat is indeed up for sale. It used to have 'Port' and 'Starboard' written either side of the companionway next to the compasses and if you look closely you can still see a trace of that. I still have fond memories of 'Solent One' and she certainly looked after me during my Day Skipper course in February 2010, in temperatures below zero for most of the week and winds up to gale force 8! I'm now actively involved in yacht racing and appreciate how well this boat performed. I seem to remember that the engine was easily maintained too and can be found behind the steps in the companion way with the sea cock under the sole just in front.

Oh yes, and if you have an RYA log book, take a look at the photo for Coastal Skipper - I was told that was Solent One...
 
If it is the Southern Sailing one , the engine is in the normal place! I did my YM practical in it. Good solid boats that took a LOT of battering!
 
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