37-cutter

[Art Barnes]

I am thinking of purchasing a Hunter 37-cutter (1979). The water off shore from the Golden Gate, which is my home waters, is usually a little rough. Could any of you tell me how the 37-cutter sails in rough seas and stong winds? Also, could any of you tell me how she is a long distance cruising as I wouldbe interested in sailing her (37-cutter) to Austraila. I also would be interested to learn how "she" sails to weather (windward); strong, average, doesn't point good, etc? I would be glad to hear from any of you current or past owners of the Hunter 37-cutter. Plase rely as soon as possible, as the boat may be lost to another buyer. Thanks, Art Barnes If you want to e-mail me directly my address is: sailorart@mlode.comThanks so much.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Check archives. . . . .

,use "h37C" and "australia", check "both. There was an H37C there but he was leaving for New Zealand. He sometimes responds here. Also one in Hawaii. I got on the web just now to check the Erie weather. We are going up to overnight on our 1979 H37C and then sail with the "Tall Ships" tomorrow. They will be near us as they sail from Cleveland to Detroit. I can tell you that I have been out in some pretty rough weather with reefs, no other boats were out, we were comfortable doing 6 knots. The cutter rig is ideal with no sail so large as to be hard to manage. Mid-stay is just the place for storm sail and she is not too unbalanced with just staysail and main or yankee and main. With a displ. of 18000# I think she will handle most seas. I am presently replacing the portlights with bronze and will shore up the rudder bearing platforms before venturing too far out. Some have upgraded all the wire to 9/32", shrouds are 1/4", all 1x19 I think. More later, gotta' go sailing. Check out the Cherubini forum and look for the Rainbow Chaser site and Cherubini photo site in the HOW archives.

 

[Debra Blatnik]

Check archives for upgrades

There was some discussion on what upgrades to consider.The one thing people seem to agree on is that you probably want to reinforce the hull in the v-berth. There are some fairly large sections of hull with no bulkhead. Add some ribs to prevent oil-canning.

 

[Jim Legere]

H-37C as long distance cruiser.

I am just a few steps ahead of you, having just purchased an '83 37C with similar cruising intentions. I just had her out for a first sail this weekend and am happy to report I was pleased - fairly stiff & well mannered. As a novice 37C owner,I already have a couple of caveats: pay close attention to the rudder (I am replacing mine) and consider reinforcing some of the large unsupported panels (e.g. watch out for oil-canning in sections of the forward cabin). From what I have seen so far, these boats were well designed for cruising and were built to typical production standards for the time, perhaps even a little above average. I believe I made a good choice and hope to go bluewater within a couple of years...

 

[Ed Schenck]

Oil canning?

Wondering where the oil canning topic originated? I have been tracking the H37C on the internet and with e-mail to many owners for almost four years. I think this is the first time I have read that. All previous discussion had been about how thick and solid the early hulls are. I've been out bashing through those six foot Erie whitecaps and seen none of that. The only squeaks/rattles are the leaves of the folding salon table. I have a long project list but reinforcing the hull was never on that list. Should it be?See Gene's list at the link below:

 

[Gene Gruender]

oil canning

We've been about 10,000 miles cruising in ours and I know what they are talking about. I don't know if is a thing to worry about or not, though.If you lay in the v-berth against the lewerd side as you go through rough water you'll feel the side flexing quite a bit. I first noticed it in the middle of the night going through the Windward Passage from Great Inagua to Jamaica. It concerned me for a bit, then I realized we'd been through MUCH rougher stuff before and it was still in one piece. I just hadn't been laying in the v-berth when we were in rough water.If it's caused anyone problems I'd be interested in hearing about it.Gene GruenderRainbow Chaser