My name is Captain Jim Elfers, author of The Baja Bash and currently working on a new book for publication in 2013 about the best production cruising boats available on a modest budget. The Hunter 37 is one of the boats featured. I am looking for owner input- especially if you have cruised but even just daysail use. Also some high resolution pix either under sail or at anchor. What do you like best? What is worst? How long was the 2 cylinder Yanmar installed and when did the 3 cylinder become standard? Any input appreciated! Respond here or my email is bajasurveyATyahooDOTcom
Calling All Hunter 37 Owners!
- Thread starter bajajim
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Hi Jim, I'll e-mail you with our latest iteration of the H37C history. It is four Excel spreadsheets and includes a chart showing when various changes were made to the model years.
Thanks Ed and Jim- you guys have a strong association as I can see plenty of good data to use. Photo files up to 4 MG each are fine, but don't send more than 8 MG in any total email. The email again is bajasurveyATyahooDOTcom
Also I guess I may not have been very clear that I was talking about the Cherubini cutter and not the Legend 37, but of course that is why I posted in "Cherubini owners".
What is the best way to get email addresses from the members-owners? Or do I just post and wait and hope?
Also I guess I may not have been very clear that I was talking about the Cherubini cutter and not the Legend 37, but of course that is why I posted in "Cherubini owners".
What is the best way to get email addresses from the members-owners? Or do I just post and wait and hope?
Ed I received your email- great and useful files thanks! And now I see the owners email addresses are included (which I will use with discretion). Fair winds . . .
Rardi, I think if you have davits or even a LifeSling on the outside of the stern pulpit you should be able to apply for admission to our club (at least as an honorary H37C)...the cutter part might be a little more difficult - maybe we could waive that since Blaise and others have done away with that part of the rig on their boats
Since I have yet to make an extensive sail, I would still be happy to share any experiences if you email me. I have my first cruise planned for April if you want me to document it. (Detroit to Savannah).
We've used or boat for an extended 10 month cruise, starting from Montreal (Canada) all the way to the Turks & Caicos via the Bahamas and back. Here are some strenght and weaknesses.
Strength:
- It's a real beauty
- Classic, balanced and manageable cutter sailplan
- Thick hull construction
- 4 foot shallow draft version for island hoping
- Heavy (stable)
- Beautiful wood joinery inside
- Roomy
- Very good ventilation (10-11 ports, 4 hatches, 2 dorade boxes)
- Good handholds inside and out
- Small and safe cockpit (not confortable to sleep in though)
- etc.
Weaknesses:
- 30 y.o. production boat
- Heavy (making the boat slow)
- Poor layup technique for the top skin of the deck. Inconsistent thickness; very thin in some areas.
- Deck hardware poorly bed, leading to core problem (delamination and rot), the core being plywood, water migrates easily and affected areas are generally wide.
- Mast step and mast base suffers from galvanic corosion.
- Rudder bearing and supporting shelf offer limited support.
- Cockpit drains are small
- Anchor locker is quite small, adequate if daysailing, not for cruising
- bow offer limited reserve buyoncy
- Vanity drain is at water line level, it's a nightmare at anchor when waves start to pitch and roll the boat.
- The original battery location is far from ideal
- Cheap original portlight
- Small cleath
- etc.
this is what I'm thinking of right now... Part of the trip is documented here:
mathurin2.blogspot.com
I do have some pictures for you, I'll send them to you as soon as I can look for them.
Strength:
- It's a real beauty
- Classic, balanced and manageable cutter sailplan
- Thick hull construction
- 4 foot shallow draft version for island hoping
- Heavy (stable)
- Beautiful wood joinery inside
- Roomy
- Very good ventilation (10-11 ports, 4 hatches, 2 dorade boxes)
- Good handholds inside and out
- Small and safe cockpit (not confortable to sleep in though)
- etc.
Weaknesses:
- 30 y.o. production boat
- Heavy (making the boat slow)
- Poor layup technique for the top skin of the deck. Inconsistent thickness; very thin in some areas.
- Deck hardware poorly bed, leading to core problem (delamination and rot), the core being plywood, water migrates easily and affected areas are generally wide.
- Mast step and mast base suffers from galvanic corosion.
- Rudder bearing and supporting shelf offer limited support.
- Cockpit drains are small
- Anchor locker is quite small, adequate if daysailing, not for cruising
- bow offer limited reserve buyoncy
- Vanity drain is at water line level, it's a nightmare at anchor when waves start to pitch and roll the boat.
- The original battery location is far from ideal
- Cheap original portlight
- Small cleath
- etc.
this is what I'm thinking of right now... Part of the trip is documented here:
mathurin2.blogspot.com
I do have some pictures for you, I'll send them to you as soon as I can look for them.
Permission to quote
Thanks Mathurin2- can I get your full name and permission to quote you? And what was the condition of your deck and deck core when you bought the boat? Did it flex under your weight?
Thanks Mathurin2- can I get your full name and permission to quote you? And what was the condition of your deck and deck core when you bought the boat? Did it flex under your weight?
Jim,
The 37C that I have,( 1979 / 3rd owner, ) still has the original 2QM20 Yanmar . Just general maintenance on the motor since I've had it. Still pushes to about 8 knots with very little smoke on start up. Great engine.
Replaced the original plywood sole with 3/4" Brazillian Cherry , the original Gray ports with Tri Matrix and a sundry of other cosmetic fixes. But on the whole a very stable, sturdy built boat able to put up with my abuse. Having been around wood all my life I have a great appreciation for the cabinetry and teak that was original. Being loaded down with heavier added on amenities by myself and the P.Os, not very fast but then I'm not either. Good Luck with you project.
Wally
The 37C that I have,( 1979 / 3rd owner, ) still has the original 2QM20 Yanmar . Just general maintenance on the motor since I've had it. Still pushes to about 8 knots with very little smoke on start up. Great engine.
Replaced the original plywood sole with 3/4" Brazillian Cherry , the original Gray ports with Tri Matrix and a sundry of other cosmetic fixes. But on the whole a very stable, sturdy built boat able to put up with my abuse. Having been around wood all my life I have a great appreciation for the cabinetry and teak that was original. Being loaded down with heavier added on amenities by myself and the P.Os, not very fast but then I'm not either. Good Luck with you project.
Wally
Hi Bajajim,
You have my permission to quote me, my full name is Philippe Mathurin, the captain of the boat is Robert Mathurin (my dad). The deck would flex pretty much everywhere under our foot. You can look here to find some pictures of the core related problems:
http://www.mathurin2.blogspot.com/2010/09/les-renos.html
This link will give you a good example of the rot problem with the plywood core (we are doing the cabin side this winter). The video is pretty much self explanatory:
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=136363
One thing I forgot to mention, deck frequent issue on many of the H37, that said, the mast being keel stepped, and the bulkheads being glased to the hull, a soft deck is not that big of an issue if you are not against heavy weather. We've day sailed for 4 years with a fully soaked deck, and never did we have to retention the stays. The boat is built very strong.
And I aven't been home in a while so I aven't had the opportunity to provide you with some pictures. You can have a look here. You have my permission to use any of the pictures in my Blog (Mathurin2.blogspot.com)
http://www.mathurin2.blogspot.com/2010/09/notre-chez-nous.html
Our boat is hull 225 built in 1981.
Phil
You have my permission to quote me, my full name is Philippe Mathurin, the captain of the boat is Robert Mathurin (my dad). The deck would flex pretty much everywhere under our foot. You can look here to find some pictures of the core related problems:
http://www.mathurin2.blogspot.com/2010/09/les-renos.html
This link will give you a good example of the rot problem with the plywood core (we are doing the cabin side this winter). The video is pretty much self explanatory:
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=136363
One thing I forgot to mention, deck frequent issue on many of the H37, that said, the mast being keel stepped, and the bulkheads being glased to the hull, a soft deck is not that big of an issue if you are not against heavy weather. We've day sailed for 4 years with a fully soaked deck, and never did we have to retention the stays. The boat is built very strong.
And I aven't been home in a while so I aven't had the opportunity to provide you with some pictures. You can have a look here. You have my permission to use any of the pictures in my Blog (Mathurin2.blogspot.com)
http://www.mathurin2.blogspot.com/2010/09/notre-chez-nous.html
Our boat is hull 225 built in 1981.
Phil
Hi,
My name is John Roe, Port Aransas, Texas. Just purchased a 1979 Hunter 37. HIN - 37120M80A. Not sure what the numbers indicate. The title says 1979, 36'7". Was sold to me as a 37C. Don't know if that matters beyond knowing which boat we are talking about. I saw your post regarding the spreadsheet for the 37's. Would it be possible to obtain a copy of the history? If so I would very much like to get a copy.
email: john.tengap@gmail.com and indicate any costs you need to recoup.
thanks, john roe
My name is John Roe, Port Aransas, Texas. Just purchased a 1979 Hunter 37. HIN - 37120M80A. Not sure what the numbers indicate. The title says 1979, 36'7". Was sold to me as a 37C. Don't know if that matters beyond knowing which boat we are talking about. I saw your post regarding the spreadsheet for the 37's. Would it be possible to obtain a copy of the history? If so I would very much like to get a copy.
email: john.tengap@gmail.com and indicate any costs you need to recoup.
thanks, john roe
Your boat pics are very nice Jim!
Can you email me the one of it sailing from a distance?
(Top of the Blog page.)
rblevens@conocophillips.com
Can you email me the one of it sailing from a distance?
(Top of the Blog page.)
rblevens@conocophillips.com
Rick - I'm not clear about who you are asking for pictures - me, the original poster Bahajim, or Philippe (MAHURIN2), who actually posted links to a blog? (Sometimes using the "Reply with quote" feature makes it easier to follow...)
Best wishes,
Jim (Legere)
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