J/33 Review by Sailing World Magazine:

The new J/33 is a handsome, simply styled performer with excellent helm response, an easily driven hull, a clean open deck, and a no-fuss interior. This design, conceived to excel in light to moderate air, is a cross between the J/27 and J/35 hull types with proportionally longer waterline, yet the same distinctive J/Boat bow and cabin house.

Designer Rod Johnstone conceived the boat as an entry-level offshore one-design with strict class rules written to allow low-cost ownership and equitable competition. He borrowed the "bath tub" cockpit from his IOR J/34, allowing ample working room underway on any point of sail. All sail controls lead neatly to the companionway, making easy work of any adjustments.
The boat lives up to performance expectations as evidenced by a first in class at its debut regatta, Block Island Race Week. With the combination of full main and 130 in eight knots of breeze, I found the helm lively, but a challenge to balance upwind.

On deck and below, the J/33 epitomizes simplicity. The cabin is open and all aspects are completely functional. Weight is saved on deck by leading the running backstay tails forward and up to the secondaries, yet owners may want to rethink this arrangement as it ties up the weather side secondary. Racers may also want to lead hydraulic controls forward from the backstay.

-Daniel Dickison

Construction: Baltek Contourkore end grained balsa laminated with biaxial and unidirectional roving, and vinylester resin on the outer hull layer for blister resistance. Main bulkhead is molded GRP, faced with a teak veneer and bonded to hull and deck with three layers of glass tape. Solid transverse fiberglass beams over the keel provide additional rigidity. Winch bases are reinforced with marine grade ply and extra glass, and stanchions are mounted on solid gloss. Hull lamination schedule meets Lloyd's standards.

Hull/Keel/Sailplan: Lines are pure and pleasing, moderately narrow beam and low freeboard, with a short raised cabin and slightly reversed transom, Conventional lead fin keel, bolted, epoxy-bonded, and glass wrapped at joint to deep molded structural sump. Continuous Navtec rod rigging on a fully anodized two spreader masthead Kenyon spar. Martec 14 x 14 folding prop.

Deck/Hardware: Layout is open and clean with genoa tracks well inboard and on the toe rail. Cockpit has no ino, but an ample bridgedeck and a wide deep well with centerline foot tails. Two cabin hatches and opening portlights provide more than adequate ventilation below. Standard hardware includes Lewmar winches, Spinlock halyard stoppers, 6:1 Harken mainsheet system, and 3:1 Harken traveler system, Sparcraft pneumatic solid boom vang with 12:1 Harken purchase system, and a Navtec hydraulic backstay adjuster.

Interior: Simple and functional. Almost six feet of headroom under cabin trunk no obstructions in main cabin. Teak and holly cabin sole, with teak veneer elsewhere and light laminate on counter surfaces. Two settee berths and optional V-berth forward make up the sleeping accommodations. Galley is spartan and split athwartships with ice box to starboard and sink and two burner stove to port.

Tankage/Electricity: Fresh water, 30 gallon molded tank. Fuel, 15 gallon aluminum tank with gauge and inspection port. Two 90 amp deep cycle batteries, electrical panel includes battery condition meters.