Hi Dave, I would like to know what you think about the Cherubini Hunters. Some say they were over built, some say they are better than the newer Hunters, some say all Hunters are junk. I wanted a coastal cruiser so I bought a 1979 H33. I hear of people blue water cruising these old boats and getting by ok, I personally dont know if I would. Kevin
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dave abt
older Hunters
Hi Kevin, It is true that many of the boats built in the late 70's and early 80's were built much heavier than boats are today. The bottom line is that we didn't know as much then about the strength of fiberglass. The challenge and compromise we make as coastal cruisers is that, what works well for coastal cruising, is often not ideal for offshore (bluewater) passagemaking. When coastal cruising, one often encounters tight manuevering situations, light air and shallow areas. These tend not to be the same situations encountered when making blue water passages. It has been said time & time again (& I can't agree more) that the boat can withstand much more than the crew. We recently delivered a very competitive racing machine to New England. The boat was very easy to handle and very fast, and although it was a sound vessel, I would not have wanted to spend a stormy night at sea with her. It's not what she was designed for. The same is true for coastal cruisers and offshore passagemaking vessels. The Hunter family of boats was designed in my opinion for light coastal cruising, and sailing enjoyment. They meet these requirements and provide many hours and days of enjoyment. It is very important, in our opinion, to identify the type of cruising you wish to do and match the boat to your lifestyle needs. After all, some people need a jag & some a F250 pick up truck. Which is right for you? Good luck & many happy sunsets under way. dave
Hi Kevin, It is true that many of the boats built in the late 70's and early 80's were built much heavier than boats are today. The bottom line is that we didn't know as much then about the strength of fiberglass. The challenge and compromise we make as coastal cruisers is that, what works well for coastal cruising, is often not ideal for offshore (bluewater) passagemaking. When coastal cruising, one often encounters tight manuevering situations, light air and shallow areas. These tend not to be the same situations encountered when making blue water passages. It has been said time & time again (& I can't agree more) that the boat can withstand much more than the crew. We recently delivered a very competitive racing machine to New England. The boat was very easy to handle and very fast, and although it was a sound vessel, I would not have wanted to spend a stormy night at sea with her. It's not what she was designed for. The same is true for coastal cruisers and offshore passagemaking vessels. The Hunter family of boats was designed in my opinion for light coastal cruising, and sailing enjoyment. They meet these requirements and provide many hours and days of enjoyment. It is very important, in our opinion, to identify the type of cruising you wish to do and match the boat to your lifestyle needs. After all, some people need a jag & some a F250 pick up truck. Which is right for you? Good luck & many happy sunsets under way. dave
You go.
Kevin, if Phil leaves this post on here long enough you will get a hill of responses vouching for the ruggedness, sailing ability and elegance of the Cherubini-designed boats. May I only say from my own view that with a '79 H-33 you have got one of the best. J Cherubini II Cherubini Art & Nautical Design Org.
Kevin, if Phil leaves this post on here long enough you will get a hill of responses vouching for the ruggedness, sailing ability and elegance of the Cherubini-designed boats. May I only say from my own view that with a '79 H-33 you have got one of the best. J Cherubini II Cherubini Art & Nautical Design Org.
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Debra Blatnik
yes and no
Many of the old Hunters have been on long passages. I am not familiar with the 33, but on the 37, a few upgrades are recommended. The V-berth leaves some fairly large sections of the hull w/o internal support. Most people considering long distance add some ribs (fiberglass and closed-cell foam) to add some addional strength. Same is true in the quarterberth. The layouts of the older boats are more in tune with passagemaking than many of today's production boats (decent sea berths, OK tankage.) Bon Voyage!
Many of the old Hunters have been on long passages. I am not familiar with the 33, but on the 37, a few upgrades are recommended. The V-berth leaves some fairly large sections of the hull w/o internal support. Most people considering long distance add some ribs (fiberglass and closed-cell foam) to add some addional strength. Same is true in the quarterberth. The layouts of the older boats are more in tune with passagemaking than many of today's production boats (decent sea berths, OK tankage.) Bon Voyage!
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David Foster
Checklist for taking a Cheribini to sea
There are several good checklists for taking a Cherubini to sea. Look at Tom Manilli's modifications in his review of an h27 he has had to sea at the link below. His mods look a lot like those listed by the owner of a newer h42 reported from Australia. They involve: Strengthening the hull with ribs and maybe a partition. Strengthening the rigging and its attachment points. This usually includes some redundancy in the stays. Making the hull more waterproof. Providing for the necessary creature comforts and safety. None of the mods I have heard of sound difficults, costly, or massive - I could do any of them myself. Also, the hull shape, sail plan, and capsize ratios all look like "offshore" to me. There are a number of great threads on this subject if you want to check the archives. David Lady Lillie (A Lake Erie Cruiser)
There are several good checklists for taking a Cherubini to sea. Look at Tom Manilli's modifications in his review of an h27 he has had to sea at the link below. His mods look a lot like those listed by the owner of a newer h42 reported from Australia. They involve: Strengthening the hull with ribs and maybe a partition. Strengthening the rigging and its attachment points. This usually includes some redundancy in the stays. Making the hull more waterproof. Providing for the necessary creature comforts and safety. None of the mods I have heard of sound difficults, costly, or massive - I could do any of them myself. Also, the hull shape, sail plan, and capsize ratios all look like "offshore" to me. There are a number of great threads on this subject if you want to check the archives. David Lady Lillie (A Lake Erie Cruiser)
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Tim Schaaf
My Cherubini 33,
a 1980 model, has done just fine up and down the Pacific Coast of California and Mexico. And, the sailing in that area can be pretty challenging for crew and boat. We have been hundreds of miles offshore, far from any shelter. I did a little beefing up, built a turtle for the main hatch, washboards to deflect overboard the water that cascades along the side decks and into the cockpit, installed positive latches for such things as floorboards and drawers, added some pumps and rigged and outfitted her very well. This was done over a period of many years, so I was able to modify and add as experience suggested. She is a good boat, and as a previous answer notes, the Cherubinis are much more of seaboats than the more modern, dare I say marina condo, models. Since the 33 is a narrow tender boat (with the attendant advantages and disadvantages), I think that a good suit of sails is particularly important. Baggy ones will really lay you on your ear if you have too much canvas up. I really like my full battened main, although she still needs early reefing!
a 1980 model, has done just fine up and down the Pacific Coast of California and Mexico. And, the sailing in that area can be pretty challenging for crew and boat. We have been hundreds of miles offshore, far from any shelter. I did a little beefing up, built a turtle for the main hatch, washboards to deflect overboard the water that cascades along the side decks and into the cockpit, installed positive latches for such things as floorboards and drawers, added some pumps and rigged and outfitted her very well. This was done over a period of many years, so I was able to modify and add as experience suggested. She is a good boat, and as a previous answer notes, the Cherubinis are much more of seaboats than the more modern, dare I say marina condo, models. Since the 33 is a narrow tender boat (with the attendant advantages and disadvantages), I think that a good suit of sails is particularly important. Baggy ones will really lay you on your ear if you have too much canvas up. I really like my full battened main, although she still needs early reefing!
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