I'm looking at a Hunter 37c as my first sailboat. I'm looking for a seaworthy and spacious liveaboard. Am I barking up the right tree? I like the valiant 40 but that darned budget thing is holding me back. It seems the more seaworthy boats are in higher demand and therefore they retain a higher value.
Hunter 37c
- Thread starter Dustin the wind
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The 37 is one of the best Hunters and certainly equal to or better than most other so-called production boats. Whether it fits your needs is more a function of what you plan to do and where you plan to go.
By comparison, the Valiant 40s are heavy cruisers and, depending on what year, suffer from significant hull blistering.
By comparison, the Valiant 40s are heavy cruisers and, depending on what year, suffer from significant hull blistering.
Thank you Don for your reply. I would expect this first boat to sail me to the USVI, so for the most part it would be costal and then island hopping the rest of the way down. Once there, I plan to live on her for quite some time. I plan on doing more island hopping to the BVI and get better acquinted with her in that area before I proceed further south and east. I've already made plans with a licensed captain to get me to the USVI and hope to learn on the way how to single hand her. I understand from talking with other sailors in that area that the seas can get ruff along that journey south and although this is not listed as a blue water boat, wondered if this boat could handle this type of journey? From what I've read the Valiant is more than capable. And thank you as well for the heads up on the blister problem on pre '81 valiants due to the use of fire retardant in the resin. There doesn't seem to be much in the way of reviews on the Hunter 37 that I could find to read. Are there any other problems with the Hunter that I should be aware of before I purchase one? I'm realistic and know that this may not be my last boat but in your opinion, and for the intended use, will it make a good first boat? My ultimate goal would be circumnavigation, but along the way stop and experience the local culture and diet of many foriegn lands.
You should be fine with the Hunter for that use. I currently have a 85 H40 and sailed that one from san Diego to Thailand via Australia. For an ebook comparing production boats go to www.smashwords.com and search for John champion, good luck.
Thanks JWC. I enjoyed the read, it was informing and I like John Champions writing style. I'll be sure to read more of his books along the way. Sounds like an awesome voyage, makes that part of me all antsy and ready for my own journey.
Assuming a good survey of the boat and sound keel bolts, Hunter 37c hull would be fine for what you plan. Mast also. I would replace the chainplates and standing rigging as you cannot see the corrosion inside and they may be 30 years old. 40 gallon fuel tank will not give you much over 200 miles motoring. Less if you run it to recharge the batteries. Plan on sailing a lot or hopping to big islands with fuel every couple of weeks.
I believe the Valiant factory after the mistake was discovered took every valiant 40 back and did a total hull refinishing on each boat. I believe they are the only yacht manufacture that take enough pride in their work to stand behind there product!!Don S/V ILLusion said:
BTW.... For extreme ocean cruising a solidly built thick hulled with a totally encapsulate keel such has Valiant or similar ocean rated boat it going be more likely to keep you safe and secure and survivable.... When the bad sh....t hits the fan!!
Then a thin hulled bolted on keel coast cruiser.
I believe I read somewhere that some boats we repaired and some were not. Boats that spent all their lives in cooler northern waters could be prone to show this only after heading into the warmer waters to the south. After 1984 the company corrected the problem by switching to isophthalic resin. Once the blistering occurs the entire layer of GRP needs to be removed and replaced. I don't imagine this to be an inexpensive process, so I plan to stay away fro these older models, if I find a ppost 84 in a feasable price range. Thank you both for your advice and input. Did hunter make two different styles of 37's in 1984?
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