Based on the popularity of its 33 ProFish, Coastal Craft, the well-regarded builder of aluminum boats in British Columbia, has just launched a Coastal Craft 33 Express with two cabins and outboard power. The new 33 Express has a top speed of 42 knots and a range of 400 nm at 30 knots, according to the company.
Coastal Craft, with a model lineup from 30 to 56 feet, makes its boats out of marine welded aluminum, with polyurethane foam insulation in the hull and cabin, for strength and fuel efficiency. The factory is in Gibsons Landing, B.C., a remote small town that cannot be reached by road; it’s a 40-minute ferry ride from Vancouver.
Because of its location, and its emphasis on high quality, the company does everything there, including stainless steel fabrication and welding, joinery and cabinetry work, painting and finishing, and design and engineering. I tested a Coastal Craft cruiser in Vancouver several years ago with Jeff Rhodes, the company’s founder and CEO, and was impressed with the boat’s quality, inside and out, as well as its soft ride and superior handling.
The Coastal Craft 33 Express, as well as the 33 ProFish, is trailerable. With the outboards, it only draws 2’ 2”, and it has an air draft of just 10’ 7”, so it can pass under most of the bridges along the ICW or even the Great Loop. The ride is sure, strong and quiet.
Below, the forward stateroom has a V berth with storage underneath. The aft stateroom, under the salon settee, has a double berth. There’s one head with a shower and a vanity with a Corian countertop.
For cruising, the 33 Express has a fully equipped galley up. Sightlines from the helm are excellent. The boat is said to have immaculate interior joinery and attention to detail.
Specs.: LOA: 39’6”; Beam: 10’11”; Draft: 2’2”; Disp.: 13,500 lbs.; Fuel: 300 gals.; Water: 57 gals.; Power: 2×350-hp Mercury Verado outboards.
