The Danish manufacturer Quorning Boats The new model breaks with its predecessor both visually and technically, instead incorporating key innovations from the larger flagship, the Dragonfly 36. The trimaran is being launched in two trim levels. The Touring version is aimed at cruising sailors, whilst the Performance version is designed for sport-oriented crews. Both boats share the same hull construction and differ mainly in their rigging and sails.
The design features three Wavepiercer hulls made from hand-laminated vinyl ester with a Divinycell foam core. The previous model had only adopted the more modern design for the swim platforms. The manufacturer supplies the hulls with a white gelcoat finish. The cabin deck and GRP components are also made from vinyl ester laminate with a foam core sandwich. The four wings and the forward structural bulkhead are produced using the vacuum infusion process with unidirectional and biaxial fibres. The aft bulkhead consists of fully infused carbon. All infused parts undergo post-curing. The centreboard and rudder are fitted with kick-up systems. The centreboard is made of vinyl ester composite, whilst the rudder is made of prepreg carbon. Watertight collision bulkheads secure all three hulls in the bow area.
Differences between Touring and Performance
The touring version of the Dragonfly 33 is fitted with a 15.20-metre-high carbon mast finished in white. The mainsail measures 50 square metres and is made from Elvström XRP Ultra with Single Taffeta Grey. Six battens stiffen the sail, whilst two reefing points allow the sail area to be reduced. The furling jib has a sail area of 27 square metres and is made from the same material. A Ronstan batten traveller system with ball bearings guides the mainsail up the mast.
The Performance version is fitted with a 17.20-metre-high carbon mast. The mainsail has been increased to 60 square metres and utilises Elvström EPEX laminate with Technora Black fibres and Double Grey Taffeta. Seven battens, instead of six, provide rigidity for the larger sail area. The furling jib measures 30 square metres and also uses EPEX laminate. A manually adjustable genoa track completes the specification. The price difference between the two versions is 26,000 euros.
Deck and cockpit
Two trampoline nets made of UV-stabilised material in light grey connect the floats. Four electric Ronstan winches control all the lines. Two size 40 winches and two size 30 winches are positioned around the cockpit.
Steering is provided by two Jefa wheels, 700 millimetres in diameter, made of white GRP. An emergency tiller serves as a backup. Four shrouds made of 14-millimetre Dyeform cable stabilise the rig. The bow and stern platforms, as well as the handrails on the cabin roof, are made of stainless steel. SmartDeck in grey covers both helm seats. A stainless steel swim ladder on the starboard float facilitates access to the water.
Interior and features
The interior of the Dragonfly 33 combines ash-coloured laminate with plywood and lacquered wooden mouldings. The colour of the upholstery can be chosen from a sample collection. Six acrylic cabin windows and four flush-fitted deck hatches in the centre section provide natural light. An emergency exit hatch is located in the aft cabin. Each float is fitted with a deck hatch.
The water tank has a capacity of 120 litres. Two sinks in the galley and toilet compartment are supplied with pressurised water. A two-burner hob with oven runs on a 3-kilogram camping gas cylinder. Two automatic 12-volt bilge pumps plus a hand pump for the main bilge form part of the safety equipment. The hand pump can be operated from the cockpit. The marine toilet is fitted with an 80-litre waste tank. This can be emptied either over the side or via a deck outlet. Gauges for the water and waste tanks indicate their fill levels.
Powertrain and electrical systems
A 30 PS, three-cylinder Yanmar diesel engine powers the boat via a Saildrive. The two-bladed folding propeller is made of stainless steel. The stainless steel fuel tank holds 70 litres and is fitted with a deck-level filler neck and a fuel gauge. A 70 Ah battery powers the engine. A main switch cuts off the power supply.
The 12-volt system comprises two maintenance-free 82 Ah Exide AGM batteries. A main switch and automatic fuses protect the electrical system. A dual USB-C socket is located in the main cabin. LED lights illuminate the interior and deck. Navigation lights and the masthead anchor light comply with regulations.
Rigging and sail systems
The aluminium boom is fitted with two single-line reefing systems and a lazy jack system with Dyneema reefing lines. The boom vang also acts as a preventer. All the controls lead into the cockpit. The Dyneema mainsail halyard operates with a 2:1 ratio. A fixed bowsprit enables the setting of asymmetric sails. The Code 0 halyard also utilises a 2:1 pulley ratio.
Comparison with the previous model, the Dragonfly 32
| Cockpit & Controls | Tiller or central steering column (wheel); closed stern. | Two steering wheels (Twin Wheels), a modern dual-zone cockpit and an open stern for direct access to the water. |
| Hull design & bow | Classic main hull; Evolution version with Wave Piercer floats. | A complete wave-piercing design for all three hulls, as well as a permanently fitted bowsprit. |
| Construction & Structure | Fibreglass sandwich (GRP). | Increased use of carbon fibre: the forward bulkheads are infusion-moulded, whilst the aft bulkhead is made entirely of carbon fibre for maximum rigidity. |
| Weight (ready to sail) | Approx. 3,500 to 3,800 kg. | 3,900 kg. |
| Sail area (close-hauled) | 77 m² (Touring) / 87 m² (Evolution). | 77 m² (Touring) / 90 m² (Performance) – thanks to Elvström EPEX sails. |
| Interior & Wood | Standard maple, elm as an upgrade. | Light ash in the standard Scandinavian style; elm is optional. |
Tried-and-tested solutions
Swing-Wing system: The Dragonfly 33 can also be folded up in the harbour in less than two minutes. This drastically reduces its width (from 8.10 m to 3.70 m in the case of the DF 33), meaning it can use standard monohull berths.
Variable draught: Neither model has a fixed keel weight, but instead features a retractable centreboard. On the DF 33, the draught can be adjusted flexibly between 0.55 m and 1.85 m.
Living comfort: Despite their sporty design, both boats offer full headroom and sleeping accommodation for up to 5–6 people. [1, 2]The Touring version costs 469,000 euros, the Performance version 495,000 euros. All prices are ex-works, excluding VAT and taxes
Prices and technical specifications for the Dragonfly 33
- Touring price: EUR 469,000 (excl. VAT, ex-works)
- Price: 495,000 EUR (excl. VAT, ex works)
- CE category: A (suitable for the open sea)
Construction method
- Design: Trimaran with wave-breaking hulls
- Material: Hand-laminated vinyl ester with a Divinycell foam core
- Colour: White gelcoat
- Deck: vinyl ester laminate with a foam-core sandwich
- Wings: Vacuum infusion using unidirectional and biaxial fibres
- Rear bulkhead: Fully infused carbon fibre
- Blade: vinyl ester composite with kick-up system
- Oars: Prepreg carbon with kick-up system
- Collision bulkheads: Watertight in all three hulls
Touring version
- Mast height: 15.20 m (carbon fibre, painted white)
- Mainsail: 50 m² (Elvström XRP Ultra, Single Taffeta Grey, 6 battens, 2 reefing points)
- Furling jib: 27 m² (Elvström XRP Ultra, Single Taffeta Grey)
Performance version
- Mast height: 17.20 m (carbon fibre, painted white)
- Mainsail: 60 m² (Elvström EPEX laminate, Technora Black, Double Grey taffeta, 7 battens, 2 reefing points)
- Furling jib: 30 m² (Elvström EPEX laminate, Technora Black, Double Grey Taffeta
Drive
- Engine: Yanmar 30 PS, 3-cylinder diesel, Saildrive
- Propeller: Two-bladed folding propeller, stainless steel
- Fuel tank: 70 l (stainless steel, with deck filler neck and gauge)
Electrics
- On-board voltage: 12 V
- Service batteries: 2 x 82 Ah Exide AGM (maintenance-free)
- Engine battery: 1 x 70 Ah
- USB socket: 1 x dual USB-C socket in the main cabin
- Lighting: LED cabin lights, navigation lights, anchor light
Water system
- Water tank: 120 l
- Sinks: 2 (galley and toilet)
- Water supply: pressurised cold water
- Toilet: Marine toilet with an 80-litre waste tank
- Draining: Overboard and deck connection
Deck and cockpit
- Trampolines: 2 x UV-stabilised, light grey
- Winches: 2 x Ronstan 40 electric, 2 x Ronstan 30 electric
- Winch handles: 2 pieces
- Cleats: 4 x stainless steel
- Mooring lines: 4 x 14 m
- Steering wheels: 2 x Jefa, 700 mm in diameter, white composite
- Emergency tiller: 1 piece
- Water-resistant: 4 x 14 mm Dyeform cables
- Swimming ladder: 1 x stainless steel (starboard)
- SmartDeck: Grey, both driver’s seats
- Dragonfly 32 review: A blisteringly fast all-rounder from Denmark – The original YACHT test of the predecessor model, which has been in production since 2012. It provides a direct benchmark for performance, living comfort and the design concept of the 32 at that time.
- Dragonfly 32 Evolution: New floats and greater reserves – The launch of the Evolution version illustrates the evolutionary step towards more voluminous Wavepiercer floats and thus ties in perfectly with the Dragonfly 33’s new hull design.
- Dragonfly 28: A generational comparison – A comparison of two development stages of the smaller Dragonfly. The article shows how new floats, rudders and centreboards affect control and performance.
- Dragonfly 36 in the YACHT test: Cruising in the fast lane – A review of the larger sister model, whose design and aesthetic features are echoed in the Dragonfly 33. Particularly relevant for topics such as carbon fibre construction, cockpit layout and fast cruising.
- Astus 22.5 in the YACHT test – A compact, trailerable trimaran featuring a different design to reduce the width required in harbour: the floats are positioned parallel to the centre hull.
- Astus 24 review: an entry-level tri for travelling – A review of a smaller and comparatively affordable cruising trimaran for sailors who want to combine trailerability with suitability for cruising.
- Corsair 760: New folding-blade fan from Vietnam – A comparable foldable trimaran in a compact size. The article discusses, amongst other things, the Wavepiercer floats and Corsair’s folding system.
- Corsair 880: A rival to the Dragonfly 28 – Shows the differences between the folding mechanisms: the Corsair folds its floats in, whilst the Dragonfly swivels them sideways towards the stern.
Fridtjof Gunkel
Deputy Chief Editor YACHT