Hello! My husband and I are seriously considering purchasing a 1987 Hunter Legend 37.5. We are new to sailaboat buying and are wondering if anyone has any advice on what we should look for / check out. Is there anything specific to this model of which we should be aware? Any positive or negative feedback in regards to the year, make model? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you all! Amanda & Jeff
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Hunter 37s
The Hunter 37.5 is a great boat, but I think the H376 series is a big improvement. You should look at those also.
The Hunter 37.5 is a great boat, but I think the H376 series is a big improvement. You should look at those also.
Love the boat
We bought our 1988 37.5 Legend last summer as our first boat and have had a wonderful time on her...the only thing I dont like is the lack of head room in the aft cabin...more than once while sleeping have we bumped our head...other than that, she is very easy to sail, especially for us novices..
We bought our 1988 37.5 Legend last summer as our first boat and have had a wonderful time on her...the only thing I dont like is the lack of head room in the aft cabin...more than once while sleeping have we bumped our head...other than that, she is very easy to sail, especially for us novices..
Good to know!
Thank you for your response Jenny. We are novices as well and planning to take the learning curve slowly. As such, we will be living aboard and learning as we go (with a lot of expert assistance). We appreciate all comments and advice. --Amanda
Thank you for your response Jenny. We are novices as well and planning to take the learning curve slowly. As such, we will be living aboard and learning as we go (with a lot of expert assistance). We appreciate all comments and advice. --Amanda
Excellent boat
My only major suggestions are to look at the rudder for delamination and check out the tankage. My 1991 has aluminum tanks which were apparently bleached by the previous owner. I have replaced the fresh water tank which was plugged by salt and plan to replace the holding tank this spring. Take her out and give her a good workout. Really rock her around to slosh the water in the fresh water tank a lot and then run a little into a clear glass. Better do this with the tank half full so it can slosh better. If you see a lot of particles, you may have the same problem. You can also take a look at the fresh water filter for the aluminum salt. We had a few issues when we first got her which were probably existing when she was delivered to her first owner. 1. The furler was not tied down to the front of the boat and it floated up and down with halyard tension. It was an easy fix. The shackle was there but had never been attached. The furler would work but was very very difficult. 2. The control lines on the mainsail flaking system and topping lift were misadjusted and that caused a lot of binding on the slugs. It was a lot of huffing and puffing to raise the main the last 20 percent. In fact the last three feet required using the winch and much effort. Battslides are a good idea, too. 3. The traveller blocks were bent to the point of needing replacement. Probably a result of someone using a winch to adjust the traveller without releasing the other side. 4. Check and ask about the exhaust elbow. See if it is cracked. Our engine was horribly out of line but anything like that should have been corrected on yours by now. The surveyer will probably know about some of these things (and others too) but you can look also.
My only major suggestions are to look at the rudder for delamination and check out the tankage. My 1991 has aluminum tanks which were apparently bleached by the previous owner. I have replaced the fresh water tank which was plugged by salt and plan to replace the holding tank this spring. Take her out and give her a good workout. Really rock her around to slosh the water in the fresh water tank a lot and then run a little into a clear glass. Better do this with the tank half full so it can slosh better. If you see a lot of particles, you may have the same problem. You can also take a look at the fresh water filter for the aluminum salt. We had a few issues when we first got her which were probably existing when she was delivered to her first owner. 1. The furler was not tied down to the front of the boat and it floated up and down with halyard tension. It was an easy fix. The shackle was there but had never been attached. The furler would work but was very very difficult. 2. The control lines on the mainsail flaking system and topping lift were misadjusted and that caused a lot of binding on the slugs. It was a lot of huffing and puffing to raise the main the last 20 percent. In fact the last three feet required using the winch and much effort. Battslides are a good idea, too. 3. The traveller blocks were bent to the point of needing replacement. Probably a result of someone using a winch to adjust the traveller without releasing the other side. 4. Check and ask about the exhaust elbow. See if it is cracked. Our engine was horribly out of line but anything like that should have been corrected on yours by now. The surveyer will probably know about some of these things (and others too) but you can look also.
Re: Legend 37
My first choice when I bought my boat(L35.5) was an L37.5. The only reason that I didn't was that the budget didn't allow at the time. I've raced and sailed on a few and my opinion is that it's a great boat, very forgiving, has great speed potential with some upgrades, and is very comfortable for cruising.
My first choice when I bought my boat(L35.5) was an L37.5. The only reason that I didn't was that the budget didn't allow at the time. I've raced and sailed on a few and my opinion is that it's a great boat, very forgiving, has great speed potential with some upgrades, and is very comfortable for cruising.
Legend 37...
...Not 37.5. The Legend 37 came first and was produced in 1986 thru 1989. Then it became the Legend 37.5 (1990 thru 1996) although it had the same hull. We love the boat. I have a 1988 and the tankage is all polyurethane. This is great becuse of the problems of aluminum tanks in latter years. I changed the mixing elbow, but that is normal wear & tear for a diesel. I did have the engine aligned the first year I had it (1994) - again, normal. I change the water intake thru-hull to a slotted strainer type because of a tendency to draw in debris into the strainer unit. Seems OK, now. Boat love 12-15kts of wind and just flies along. I've replaced the mainsail this winter because it has "had its day". And it's about time to do so. Good Luck.
...Not 37.5. The Legend 37 came first and was produced in 1986 thru 1989. Then it became the Legend 37.5 (1990 thru 1996) although it had the same hull. We love the boat. I have a 1988 and the tankage is all polyurethane. This is great becuse of the problems of aluminum tanks in latter years. I changed the mixing elbow, but that is normal wear & tear for a diesel. I did have the engine aligned the first year I had it (1994) - again, normal. I change the water intake thru-hull to a slotted strainer type because of a tendency to draw in debris into the strainer unit. Seems OK, now. Boat love 12-15kts of wind and just flies along. I've replaced the mainsail this winter because it has "had its day". And it's about time to do so. Good Luck.
We love ours
The 37 Legend is a great boat. We have an 89 and spend almost every week end on it in the summer. They are fast and have great lines, with the wide beam they are pretty stable. The big main makes sail handling easy. The systems are simple and easy to maintain. The biggest issue I've seen is gel coat cracking . My boat has some but I've looked at quite a few and they all had some. I noticed that Hunters in general have some debugging that needs to be done to get them perfect. I think this to be common of all boats and if the PO was not a picky individual you may get to do the debugging. Sailing - fast upwind and when you get into a reach in winds over 15 MPH you will be smiling. I have seen my GPS mark 10 knots in the right wind/wave conditions. Could be a little better downwind but even new boats will be the same. This site is the best source of information you will find. I would buy mine again.
The 37 Legend is a great boat. We have an 89 and spend almost every week end on it in the summer. They are fast and have great lines, with the wide beam they are pretty stable. The big main makes sail handling easy. The systems are simple and easy to maintain. The biggest issue I've seen is gel coat cracking . My boat has some but I've looked at quite a few and they all had some. I noticed that Hunters in general have some debugging that needs to be done to get them perfect. I think this to be common of all boats and if the PO was not a picky individual you may get to do the debugging. Sailing - fast upwind and when you get into a reach in winds over 15 MPH you will be smiling. I have seen my GPS mark 10 knots in the right wind/wave conditions. Could be a little better downwind but even new boats will be the same. This site is the best source of information you will find. I would buy mine again.
"Boat Information" Great Resource
If you haven't checked already, look at the home page and put the cursor on the "Boat Information" tab then slelect "Model Information". There is a lot of information here that will probably be of interest, including links to owner reviews. Hope this helps. http://www.sailboatowners.com/boats/model.tpl?sku=30179116948436&fno=0&bts=T
If you haven't checked already, look at the home page and put the cursor on the "Boat Information" tab then slelect "Model Information". There is a lot of information here that will probably be of interest, including links to owner reviews. Hope this helps. http://www.sailboatowners.com/boats/model.tpl?sku=30179116948436&fno=0&bts=T
the 37.5, a great boat
We bought our 1992 37.5 in 1995 and have loved it ever since. It is fast, comfortable and easy to sail. We are retired racers so we have put some nice sails on it. We also sail with a folding prop which makes it extremely fast in light air. The only issues we have had are with the cheap foam in the berths(replaced),Aluminum holding tank replaced last summer, conversion of stove to propane, stanchions froze up and needed replacement. We feel the 37.5 is probably one of the best models Hunter ever built. It is very sleek and sails right by most 40 footers. If the boat is in good shape, you won't be disappointed. Alice C.
We bought our 1992 37.5 in 1995 and have loved it ever since. It is fast, comfortable and easy to sail. We are retired racers so we have put some nice sails on it. We also sail with a folding prop which makes it extremely fast in light air. The only issues we have had are with the cheap foam in the berths(replaced),Aluminum holding tank replaced last summer, conversion of stove to propane, stanchions froze up and needed replacement. We feel the 37.5 is probably one of the best models Hunter ever built. It is very sleek and sails right by most 40 footers. If the boat is in good shape, you won't be disappointed. Alice C.
Frozen Stanchion Remedy
My first set of stanchions froze up, too. Had to have them replaced. Drill a "weep" hole at the base of each stanchion, between the "feet" on the inboard side. This will allow the rainwater to drain and not accumulate. Thereby, not freezing and ruining your stanchion.
My first set of stanchions froze up, too. Had to have them replaced. Drill a "weep" hole at the base of each stanchion, between the "feet" on the inboard side. This will allow the rainwater to drain and not accumulate. Thereby, not freezing and ruining your stanchion.
frozen stanchions on 37.5
When we replaced the stanchions on our 37.5, we did drill the weep holes. We also discovered that our pedestal guard was full of water and drilled two small holes in the bottom of it. When we did that a geyser of accumulated water poured out. We were lucky it had not cracked. Alice C.
When we replaced the stanchions on our 37.5, we did drill the weep holes. We also discovered that our pedestal guard was full of water and drilled two small holes in the bottom of it. When we did that a geyser of accumulated water poured out. We were lucky it had not cracked. Alice C.
Great Boat!
I have an 89 Legend 37 and really love the boat. Fast for racing and roomy for cruising. Only drawback is small cockpit, when racing we are cramped. Now if I can just get my rating up to a reasonable number!
I have an 89 Legend 37 and really love the boat. Fast for racing and roomy for cruising. Only drawback is small cockpit, when racing we are cramped. Now if I can just get my rating up to a reasonable number!
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