37 cutter portlights

[Thomas Loftus]

Does anyone have information on when the 37 cutter design changed from 5 opening ports per cabin side to two opening/two fixed? All the photos and specs show the 5 opening version, but the boat that is available in my area has the latter. It is an 86, and the forum doesn't seem to have any info on this model year which is, I believe, the last year the 37 cutter was made.I am very happy with my 1981 Hunter 33, and can't seem to help considering the move up to the 37. Reading through the posts in the forum, there seems to be a fair amount of water seepage issues with the 37, and I wonder if that is a constant also in the model with less el cheapo portlights (wishful thinking!). Thanks Tom Loftus

 

[Ed Schenck]

What I know.

And that ain't much. But the 1978 through 1982 models had the ten opening ports. In 1982 they added the galley portlight facing the cockpit. The 1984 and newer definitely had the two long fixed portlights on each side. I am unsure about the '83.My 1979 Gray portlights did not leak. When I removed them there was some dampness in the plywood core. But the silicon was still good! I think a lot of moisture damage around the portlights comes from other sources. The water travels through the coring from the maststep, the traveler(s), the handrails, etc. This is not a Hunter or H37C phenomenon, just read the posts on any site about any boat.

 

[John Coleman]

ThomasThe portlights on the 37 Cutter have changed a number of times. I have an 83 model with the 10 opening ports. However if you look closely the main cabin has 2 - 7.5'x15" and 1 - 5"x12" per side. The earlier models had three of the larger ports in the main cabin. This change the took place sometime in the 1983 model year. It was in 1984 that the fixed ports were introduced into the cutter. As Ed pointed out the portlights are not the main problem with water leakage. Check the cabin top area where the dorade vents are for water incursion as well as the usual areas where anything has penetrated the deck. You are correct, 1986 was the last year for the cutter.There was an article published in Good Old Boat Magazine on the Churbini Hunters written by Don Bodemann Issue 17 March/ April 2001. It gives a good history of the boats.Good luck with the boat John