A victim of its own success perhaps, but the ubiquity of the F33 combined with current market forces mean that these boats are now seriously good value.
Our test boat, built in 2000 and fitted with the most popular engine option, is comfortably under the psychological £100,000 barrier at £89,950 and for a modern British twin diesel flybridge craft, that has to be great value. Earlier, almost identical, 330 Statesmans can be sometimes be found starting with a six.
A few boats were fitted with the larger AQAD 41 200hp engines, which are smoother and faster than the four-cylinder KAD 32 option but add weight. They’re nice to have, but as a cruising boat the increased performance is less relevant than it would be in the sportier S34, and as such they add only a little value. MerCruiser diesels are not uncommon but are typically about £10,000 less than an equivalent Volvo boat.
Equipment levels can affect price, but original navigational electronics will be getting old now compared to current kit. Davits are useful if you use a dinghy regularly, but can clutter the bathing platform if you don’t. Eberspächer heating is a very worthwhile option, as is a holding tank, and a bow thruster will give inexperienced helmsman confidence in close quarters given the windage and sterndrive layout of the boat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgxH65t0klA
Price as reviewed:
£89,950.00
Verdict
A good value and immensely popular first flybridge boat, the F33 and earlier 330 Statesman continue to satisfy the home-from-home craving of many a family. To buy it solely for that reason though is to miss a trick. With it’s fully enclosed lower helm and (when specified) diesel-fired central heating, this baby Sealine is a fantastic way to extend your boating season to a full 12 months. Now that’s good value.
