376 Horsepower?

[Dave Sharp]

I see many references to the horsepower rating on the 376 as 36 horsepower. I'm certain they refer to the turbocharged JE version. My 1998 has a naturally aspirated 28.5 HP. What's the deal?

 

[Don Alexander]

28.5 Kilowatts

Dave,My H376 (1996) is fitted with a Yanmar 3JH2E normally aspirated diesel.The makers leaflet rates it as:-Maximum Output at crankshaft of 28.5 KW at 3600rpm which equals 38.7 BHp at this speed.The continuous rating is 25.7 KW at 3400 rpm which is 34.9 Bhp. KW is kilowatts and BHp is brake horsepower - usually shortened to horsepower.For information 2.7 Bhp are lost in the gearbox - but boat builders ALWAYS show the max,max figures so Hunter do likewise.I hope this helps.Don A.

 

[Dave Sharp]

Thanks, Don

We are just buying this boat and I quickly looked at the engine tag and missed the reference to "KW." By the way, how do you like the 376? We have been sailing a long time but never had the luxuries on this boat. Our last boat was a strippeed-out J/41, fast but sparse and tough to sail due to the large loads, big rig, and runners. We are excited to join the Hunter owners family.

 

[Don Alexander]

376 - Dave

Dave,We love our 376. It is light enough to have some performance and, as we have the deep keel, we often outsail other 37 footers.As a former "dyed in the wool" racing man I am pleased with the performance but it will be nothing like Rod Johnson's J41.One thing to note is not to crank the jib flat as you might have been doing with the 150% genoas on other boats. If you do you will outpoint everything and be the slowest by far. Simply select another boat and free off until you are on a parallel course and this is your optimum too. You can take the jib in a notch to creep up out of their wind shadow though.Re sail loads, you will find the 376's mainsail just as much a handful as the J 41 and it might even be larger - unless it is in mast furling. The mid-boom sheet attachment point means you will need the winch most of the time.Also I had larger winches put on my boat at the factory but still we find the jib loads to be quite high. The knack is to tack fairly gently then the little jib is in before the boat is on the new tack.Enjoy.