Yachting_Monthly_2016-01

82 http://www.yachtingmonthly.com JANUARY 2016

USED BOAT TEST
Key cruising features

Her conservative sail area means she’s slow downwind under white sails alone, but stiff upwind

Like all IOR-infl uenced designs most similarly sized craftshe has a pinched stern, but the Deb 33 has a wider beam than The sail controls are all well positioned for singlehanded sailing in the tiller-steered model Two tons of lead ballast keep her stiff under sail while a centreboard offers fi ne upwind pointing ability Her coachroof is a constant height throughout its length, giving her a sleek profi le and good headroom below A deep vee hull and long overhanging bow give her a gentle entry and a comfortable motion at sea

a shallow line locker, due to the need for headroom below in the quarterberth, but Brian has recently converted this into a drained, two-bottle gas locker with no

adverse effect on the berth below.Living aboard I found climbing over the high bridgedeck

and manoeuvring safely down the vertical companionway steps to be a challenge with the sprayhood up, but thankfully there are plenty of stout handholds. Once below, the

need for the steep steps becomes obvious as you note the engine box in the centre of the corridor forward. This arrangement – fairly typical in S&S designs – puts the

engine in the optimal place for ballast.is straightforward and typical of 1970s boats. She has a long, cosy quarterberth Other than this, the layout of the Deb

directly behind the chart table to port, an L-shaped settee that can convert to a 1.15m wide double, a fold-down saloon table that stows neatly against a bulkhead, a 1.9m

long settee to starboard that provides an

excellent sea berth with a lee-cloth, and a forecabin with twin berths measuring 2.0m x 0.56m. Headroom is between 1.85-1.89m but drops slightly in the forecabin.

of her era. She has a loo to port and a sink opposite. The compartment can be closed off for total privacy by shutting the saloon The heads arrangement is also typical

and forecabin doors, but this obviously restricts access forward. Headroom is good at 1.83m, so a shower could probably be fi tted with a little ingenuity. Though the

portlight is fi xed, she has a small hatch above, along with a vent.oodles of solid wood trim, which gives Like all boats of this period she has

her a cosy and warm feeling. Her non-opening portlights are quite large, so she’s not gloomy below decks. She has a large hatch above the table to increase light and

ventilation, along with the fi xed vents.in large lockers above the settee backs, but most of the space underneath is taken up Accessible saloon stowage is very good

by two water tanks.

Chart tableThe good-size chart table is immediately to port on descending the steps and has chart stowage inside and plenty of

instrument mounting space on the half bulkhead forward. There are four drawers underneath for the bosun’s stores and emergency gear, as well as stowage in the

seat at the head of the snug quarterberth.GalleyThe well-appointed L-shaped galley has

room for a gimballed cooker and a decent sink. Stowage is good, with lockers above and below for food items, crockery and pans. Midsummer II has a front-opening

fridge behind the companionway steps.MaintenanceThe engine box – under the settee return

aft – allows far better access to all systems than most modern production yachts. Either the lid can be lifted for quick adjustments or the entire box can be

removed for a major overhaul.

Her beam makes her roomy and all the wood adds a cosy feeling below The fold-up saloon table is neat and gives extra space when stowed