This will be my first sailboat and so I am looking for the best that my money can buy. Have also looked at the Beneteau 35s5, but have leaned more toward the Hunter. Is gelcoat cracking around the chainplates normal for a boat of this vintage (1987 Hunter 37') ? What should I look for in the Hunter as far as integrety, and what is normal wear for a boat of this age? Have also considered a Hunter 35', what is the biggest difference between the two, I like the headroom in the 37', I'm 6'3" and need the extra room. Can i stand in the 35'? Thanks for the info. Chris.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
A
Alan Eland
Chain Plates
Chris, I looked at many used boats in my recent quest and finally purchased a 1989 Hunter 30. It became very apparent during my search that if the chain plates are not regularly maintained (rebedded) problems will result. At a minimum some interior leaking will occur. At the other end of the spectrum severe delamination and possible core damage can occur. Some stress cracking can occur in a lot of places on the deck. The extent of the cracks may signal a bigger probelm. A good survey will be able to inform you if there is a problem or not. I'm unfamiliar with the other models to answer your other questions. Best of luck. Alan
Chris, I looked at many used boats in my recent quest and finally purchased a 1989 Hunter 30. It became very apparent during my search that if the chain plates are not regularly maintained (rebedded) problems will result. At a minimum some interior leaking will occur. At the other end of the spectrum severe delamination and possible core damage can occur. Some stress cracking can occur in a lot of places on the deck. The extent of the cracks may signal a bigger probelm. A good survey will be able to inform you if there is a problem or not. I'm unfamiliar with the other models to answer your other questions. Best of luck. Alan
T
Tom Neal
Why not a 37-cutter
Hi Chris I have owned my current Hunter for 6 years now and the longer I sail her the more I like the boat. The 37 Cutter is a little different Hunter, maybe more durable and heavier, still has plenty of headroom and such. I installed an autopilot and made mine a great singlehander boat. Have a good one. Tom
Hi Chris I have owned my current Hunter for 6 years now and the longer I sail her the more I like the boat. The 37 Cutter is a little different Hunter, maybe more durable and heavier, still has plenty of headroom and such. I installed an autopilot and made mine a great singlehander boat. Have a good one. Tom
P
Paul Akers
I own one
Chris, I own a 1988 and another friend owns an '87. Plus we live right in your area. Get my email addr from the owners directory and give me a shout. We can talk it up. Good Luck.
Chris, I own a 1988 and another friend owns an '87. Plus we live right in your area. Get my email addr from the owners directory and give me a shout. We can talk it up. Good Luck.
S
SteveC
I also own one...
if you need another opinion.. I'm on Long Island Sound in NY and would be interested in the Sailing around ST. Lucie. Basically, I like the boat, although I had problems with it from the dealer. If you want to talk, give me a line at steve.chupak@avon.com....
if you need another opinion.. I'm on Long Island Sound in NY and would be interested in the Sailing around ST. Lucie. Basically, I like the boat, although I had problems with it from the dealer. If you want to talk, give me a line at steve.chupak@avon.com....
B
Bryan
Headroom in the 35
I have an '88 Legend 35. The headroom in the cabin is about 6'2 1/2". I know because I'm 6'3 1/2". If I spread my legs apart I can stand straight up, otherwise I have to duck my head a little. It's not that bad, not like you have to crouch. The V berth is just long enough to fit if I sleep along the side, the aft berth is almost 7' long so no problem (note that they changed the configuration in '89 to an athwartship layout, and I don't know how long the berth is in those later models (the 35.5)). The head is tall enough so I can stand up in it. All in all, I haven't found the headroom limitation to be a major inconvenience, tho' all things being equal, I'd rather have the headroom to be able to walk thru the cabin without bending my head.
I have an '88 Legend 35. The headroom in the cabin is about 6'2 1/2". I know because I'm 6'3 1/2". If I spread my legs apart I can stand straight up, otherwise I have to duck my head a little. It's not that bad, not like you have to crouch. The V berth is just long enough to fit if I sleep along the side, the aft berth is almost 7' long so no problem (note that they changed the configuration in '89 to an athwartship layout, and I don't know how long the berth is in those later models (the 35.5)). The head is tall enough so I can stand up in it. All in all, I haven't found the headroom limitation to be a major inconvenience, tho' all things being equal, I'd rather have the headroom to be able to walk thru the cabin without bending my head.
J
Jim Haynie
Mine is Great!
I dreamed of a Legend 37 from the time they first came out until I finally could afford a well used 88 one in Nov of 97 that was within my financial capability. GET A GOOD INDEPENDENT SURVEY is always your first move in buying a used boat by any company in any apparent cosmetic condition. If the STRUCTURE is sound you can fix any cosmetic problems. This is a fast, strong, and safe coastal cruiser loaded with extras for the dollar. I had been reading all the reviews and advertisements of all similar sized boats for over 15 years and even sailed on several with friends before I finally could buy and this is certainly the best for my purposes. The 37 is better than the 35 (which I also considered high on the list) for 2 reasons: More room and traveller in the front of cockpit where a single hander needs it. You can take this boat anywhere you are brave enough to go and do it alone. Once you get the boat and go through a couple of coastal or bay squalls, you will be in a good position to modify your definitions of "bravery" and "prudence", but it will not be the boat that makes this determination--the boat can take far more than the people in it! I have really had no real problems with this boat and love it very much. I did replace some worn out equipment, but the prices of these older ones VS newer boats of same size are quite reasonable. Hunter did NOT improve this boat when they went to the new 38. The transverse rear berth is not practical in any form of seaway, they dropped off the handy aluminum toerail, and the large roach main is just that much more unwieldy to manage. This model should be considered one of the greats for reasonably priced boats of this size and vintage. Hope you enjoy it, but get that survey. jim
I dreamed of a Legend 37 from the time they first came out until I finally could afford a well used 88 one in Nov of 97 that was within my financial capability. GET A GOOD INDEPENDENT SURVEY is always your first move in buying a used boat by any company in any apparent cosmetic condition. If the STRUCTURE is sound you can fix any cosmetic problems. This is a fast, strong, and safe coastal cruiser loaded with extras for the dollar. I had been reading all the reviews and advertisements of all similar sized boats for over 15 years and even sailed on several with friends before I finally could buy and this is certainly the best for my purposes. The 37 is better than the 35 (which I also considered high on the list) for 2 reasons: More room and traveller in the front of cockpit where a single hander needs it. You can take this boat anywhere you are brave enough to go and do it alone. Once you get the boat and go through a couple of coastal or bay squalls, you will be in a good position to modify your definitions of "bravery" and "prudence", but it will not be the boat that makes this determination--the boat can take far more than the people in it! I have really had no real problems with this boat and love it very much. I did replace some worn out equipment, but the prices of these older ones VS newer boats of same size are quite reasonable. Hunter did NOT improve this boat when they went to the new 38. The transverse rear berth is not practical in any form of seaway, they dropped off the handy aluminum toerail, and the large roach main is just that much more unwieldy to manage. This model should be considered one of the greats for reasonably priced boats of this size and vintage. Hope you enjoy it, but get that survey. jim
B
Bob Long
Great Boat: Bad Tanks
We recently bought an 87 Hunter 37 Legend and love the boat. However, our surveyor discovered that the aluminum holding tank was severely corroded. We made the Seller fix this and I am told that it would have been a $2500 job (difficult access and tank had to be custom made). Also, we had to replace the aluminum fuel tank. Be sure your surveyor looks closely at these tanks. Good Luck!
We recently bought an 87 Hunter 37 Legend and love the boat. However, our surveyor discovered that the aluminum holding tank was severely corroded. We made the Seller fix this and I am told that it would have been a $2500 job (difficult access and tank had to be custom made). Also, we had to replace the aluminum fuel tank. Be sure your surveyor looks closely at these tanks. Good Luck!
L
Larry S
Built like a brick %$#&house
I too waited along time to own a Legend 37. We started with an H27 (1978), H31 (1983), and finally in 1997 I bought a lightly used, but very dirty (88' L37)repossesion. This boat is easier to sail than the previous(2). It is built very well (structure), handles rough seas with ease, very roomy, motors and handles under power very well. Mine has plastic tankage, no problems. The only complaints are limited outside storage, and some of the fixtures are cheap (lights,hardware) but I replaced anything I didn't like anyway. I sail some of the roughest waters in the U.S., and one of features of this model I really like is that the ports/hatches are small, therefore safer than the newer boats with their greenhouse's. I would go most anywhere in the boat, I wish Hunter still built boats like this.If you buy one, get rid of the Hood roller furling and put a good Harken System on.
I too waited along time to own a Legend 37. We started with an H27 (1978), H31 (1983), and finally in 1997 I bought a lightly used, but very dirty (88' L37)repossesion. This boat is easier to sail than the previous(2). It is built very well (structure), handles rough seas with ease, very roomy, motors and handles under power very well. Mine has plastic tankage, no problems. The only complaints are limited outside storage, and some of the fixtures are cheap (lights,hardware) but I replaced anything I didn't like anyway. I sail some of the roughest waters in the U.S., and one of features of this model I really like is that the ports/hatches are small, therefore safer than the newer boats with their greenhouse's. I would go most anywhere in the boat, I wish Hunter still built boats like this.If you buy one, get rid of the Hood roller furling and put a good Harken System on.
P
Paul Akers
Steel Tanks, huh?
I have an '88 and the tankage is all plastic (holding, water, fuel). And I have to say I've had mine in some pretty terrible water also in Buzzard's Bay and Cape Cod Canal.
I have an '88 and the tankage is all plastic (holding, water, fuel). And I have to say I've had mine in some pretty terrible water also in Buzzard's Bay and Cape Cod Canal.
G
Gus sanchez
Just purchase Legend 37
I just purchased a 1987 Legend. Great boat. I love it. Definately get a good surveyor. Good luck!
I just purchased a 1987 Legend. Great boat. I love it. Definately get a good surveyor. Good luck!
- Status
- Not open for further replies.