I plan to purchase my first boat toward the end of this season. I have been to your forum a number of times and I have been keeping my eye on about five H-C 37's up and down the east coast. I need a boat that I can single hand. I plan to moor the boat in the upper Chesapeake. Two questions: a number of you have indicated that it single-hands very well. Why, comparatively speaking? Also, can anyone recommend a surveyor who knows the H-C 37 in the Chesapeake area? By the way, you guys do good 'forum', listing both the pros and cons of your boats. The other boats that I am looking at (but some too rich for my blood) include the Bristol 35/35.5 and the Allied Seabreeze/Princess.Thanks, Brian
- Status
Out on a Limb
Brian, There is a fellow in Canton, Ohio named Ed Schenck that knows the H37C inside and out. Look him up in the owner's directory and send him an email asking your questions. If I know Ed, he will be glad to advize you. When you find your boat and you want to have it delivered. Look me up. I am the Commodore of the OBX Hunter Sailng Association and pickup delivery work when I can. Moreover, I have very intimate knowledge of the "Ditch" (ICW) from Oriental to Norfolk. Let me know if I can assist you with my guide. It is free.
Brian, There is a fellow in Canton, Ohio named Ed Schenck that knows the H37C inside and out. Look him up in the owner's directory and send him an email asking your questions. If I know Ed, he will be glad to advize you. When you find your boat and you want to have it delivered. Look me up. I am the Commodore of the OBX Hunter Sailng Association and pickup delivery work when I can. Moreover, I have very intimate knowledge of the "Ditch" (ICW) from Oriental to Norfolk. Let me know if I can assist you with my guide. It is free.
The H37C.
Mike is too kind. What I know about the H37C I learned from longtime owners that share on this website. And from the fact that the boat is far from perfect. So I have spent untold hours in every nook and cranny. The boat single-hands well because of her cockpit layout and the fact it is a cutter. None of the sails are large. She is very neutral but only if all the canvas is up. With main and yankee there is some weather helm. My '79 sheet winches are right next to the helm. My traveler is in front of the companionway on the bridgedeck. I have it rigged so the mainsheet is at the helm. I got rid of the routing down the boom to the deck and back to a cabintop winch. It is only 5:1 so I either head up to take the pressure off or use a sheet winch to trim when the breeze is up. If I am alone and the wind is over 20 then I might sail with the main and self-tacking staysail. But that is rare since I like the rail in the water and have a nice, new oversized yankee(jib). An autohelm is a great add-on. But I sailed alone for a season before adding one. I could leave the helm for five or ten minutes with just the wheel lock she is that balanced. Besides being a great sailing boat(for the money) the H37C is just really solid. Study the Rainbow Chaser site(Related Link) and maybe Gene won't scare you away. Also read all of the Owner Reviews under "Boat Information".
Mike is too kind. What I know about the H37C I learned from longtime owners that share on this website. And from the fact that the boat is far from perfect. So I have spent untold hours in every nook and cranny. The boat single-hands well because of her cockpit layout and the fact it is a cutter. None of the sails are large. She is very neutral but only if all the canvas is up. With main and yankee there is some weather helm. My '79 sheet winches are right next to the helm. My traveler is in front of the companionway on the bridgedeck. I have it rigged so the mainsheet is at the helm. I got rid of the routing down the boom to the deck and back to a cabintop winch. It is only 5:1 so I either head up to take the pressure off or use a sheet winch to trim when the breeze is up. If I am alone and the wind is over 20 then I might sail with the main and self-tacking staysail. But that is rare since I like the rail in the water and have a nice, new oversized yankee(jib). An autohelm is a great add-on. But I sailed alone for a season before adding one. I could leave the helm for five or ten minutes with just the wheel lock she is that balanced. Besides being a great sailing boat(for the money) the H37C is just really solid. Study the Rainbow Chaser site(Related Link) and maybe Gene won't scare you away. Also read all of the Owner Reviews under "Boat Information".
If you are looking up and down the east coast concider mine. It is a 1980 with a lot of upgrades. If you wand photos please contact me at mfiorito@comcast.net. I have a zip file @ 20 meg of pictures
Have read and re-read Ed's comments
I have read and re-read Ed's comments. I am appreciative of his comments over the years, as I am of yours. From what I have read, I have to go up a long learning curve in finding remedies to expected ailments. I am looking for a turnkey boat and am specifically looking for a '37'which has had a knowledgeable and handy owner; a boat whose deck/port problems have been, for the moment, managed, whose rudder/componentry has been strengthened, and whose engine has been rebuilt. I like mundane muscle work (hull, interior), but when I took the tests to get into the Air Force (Vietnam Era), I am sure they concluded that I should not mess around with anything electrical or mechanical. It is in these areas that my learning curve will be steep. Next week I will spend a week on a newer Hunter 41 to get Barefoot certified, so I hope to know more about these matters shortly.
I have read and re-read Ed's comments. I am appreciative of his comments over the years, as I am of yours. From what I have read, I have to go up a long learning curve in finding remedies to expected ailments. I am looking for a turnkey boat and am specifically looking for a '37'which has had a knowledgeable and handy owner; a boat whose deck/port problems have been, for the moment, managed, whose rudder/componentry has been strengthened, and whose engine has been rebuilt. I like mundane muscle work (hull, interior), but when I took the tests to get into the Air Force (Vietnam Era), I am sure they concluded that I should not mess around with anything electrical or mechanical. It is in these areas that my learning curve will be steep. Next week I will spend a week on a newer Hunter 41 to get Barefoot certified, so I hope to know more about these matters shortly.
An additional two bits worth
Brian, I bought a 37 cutter (1979) as my first sailboat, after sailing club boats and chartering. I was actually looking for a smaller boat (30?) but became convinced the 37 with cutter rig was very managable for my wife and self, for the same reasons Ed mentioned (sail size, stability etc). Two additional comments: - I am unqualified to do sophisticated repairs, particularly electrical or mechanical, but have found that most of the needed maintenance and project work can be done, often with the help of folks on this site, by taking one small step at a time. Examples: I have installed new bilge pump, cleaned out old wiring, replaced broken stanchions, and learned how to do minor fiberglass repair. My next project is replacing ports. By taking it slow, and finding knowledgable friends on the dock, much is possible. -- I would caution you not to expect a turnkey boat, of any make or model or age. I do not believe they exist. Every boat needs something. It's the nature of boats. Mine looked like a turnkey boat when I bought it, and within a month an elbow on the clogged and blew the exhaust. There was no way to spot that ahead of time, so I paid the $700 bill and went sailing. As in life, stuff happens. But I think I got the best and most boat for the money, and have no regrets. Good luck, Sanders
Brian, I bought a 37 cutter (1979) as my first sailboat, after sailing club boats and chartering. I was actually looking for a smaller boat (30?) but became convinced the 37 with cutter rig was very managable for my wife and self, for the same reasons Ed mentioned (sail size, stability etc). Two additional comments: - I am unqualified to do sophisticated repairs, particularly electrical or mechanical, but have found that most of the needed maintenance and project work can be done, often with the help of folks on this site, by taking one small step at a time. Examples: I have installed new bilge pump, cleaned out old wiring, replaced broken stanchions, and learned how to do minor fiberglass repair. My next project is replacing ports. By taking it slow, and finding knowledgable friends on the dock, much is possible. -- I would caution you not to expect a turnkey boat, of any make or model or age. I do not believe they exist. Every boat needs something. It's the nature of boats. Mine looked like a turnkey boat when I bought it, and within a month an elbow on the clogged and blew the exhaust. There was no way to spot that ahead of time, so I paid the $700 bill and went sailing. As in life, stuff happens. But I think I got the best and most boat for the money, and have no regrets. Good luck, Sanders
Turnkey?
Interesting concept that. One sailor's project boat is some other sailor's turnkey boat. When I bought my '79 there was an '80 right beside it. It had much better outfitting like a full enclosure and the bigger engine. But it failed the survey, the yard estimated moisture repair to the deck at $8000. Someone bought that boat and sailed off. It is still sailing and no work was ever done. But I have to admit it would have been nice to find one with all the goodies. I have redone the head and holding tank, replaced the portlights, added autohelm, redone the electrical including newer alternator, added radar, ham radio, music, new sails, new instruments, new running rigging, barrier-coat, better stove, refrigeration, bimini, and on and on. The cost of all that would have been a lot less if bundled into the original purchase price. But look at all the fun I would have missed.
Interesting concept that. One sailor's project boat is some other sailor's turnkey boat. When I bought my '79 there was an '80 right beside it. It had much better outfitting like a full enclosure and the bigger engine. But it failed the survey, the yard estimated moisture repair to the deck at $8000. Someone bought that boat and sailed off. It is still sailing and no work was ever done. But I have to admit it would have been nice to find one with all the goodies. I have redone the head and holding tank, replaced the portlights, added autohelm, redone the electrical including newer alternator, added radar, ham radio, music, new sails, new instruments, new running rigging, barrier-coat, better stove, refrigeration, bimini, and on and on. The cost of all that would have been a lot less if bundled into the original purchase price. But look at all the fun I would have missed.
On-and-on-and-on..........
Brian........ This board is a very valuable resource, but remember one thing...especially about H-37c owners....they LOVE their boats! They LOVE working magic with them. Even though they sail beautifully, these boats inspire their owners to tweak and massage them because they are so rewarding. Mr Cherubini did a masterful job of design, and when we make even the slightest improvement on what was, you must remember, a production boat built to a price-point, we are anxious to share it with the others! After years of watching and occasionally contributing here, I believe there are only two weaknesses you will find shared by most owners of these boats: the cheap Grey ports and the insanely placed holding tank. I think you will find that virtually every other project/weak point discussed here can be found on any other production boat of the era. Even the steering is problematic; some boats have weak-appearing rudder bearing structures, others don't. What you will find, if not a "turnkey" boat is one designed and built better than any of her contemporaries. Also, remember, these are at least 20-25 year-old boats, and they have stood the test of time very well indeed. Dave
Brian........ This board is a very valuable resource, but remember one thing...especially about H-37c owners....they LOVE their boats! They LOVE working magic with them. Even though they sail beautifully, these boats inspire their owners to tweak and massage them because they are so rewarding. Mr Cherubini did a masterful job of design, and when we make even the slightest improvement on what was, you must remember, a production boat built to a price-point, we are anxious to share it with the others! After years of watching and occasionally contributing here, I believe there are only two weaknesses you will find shared by most owners of these boats: the cheap Grey ports and the insanely placed holding tank. I think you will find that virtually every other project/weak point discussed here can be found on any other production boat of the era. Even the steering is problematic; some boats have weak-appearing rudder bearing structures, others don't. What you will find, if not a "turnkey" boat is one designed and built better than any of her contemporaries. Also, remember, these are at least 20-25 year-old boats, and they have stood the test of time very well indeed. Dave
Thanks
Thanks for the feedback. Hopefully I will buy by late summer. There is a nice listing in the lower Chesapeake - says 'Military owner' - that I have had my eye on for some time.
Thanks for the feedback. Hopefully I will buy by late summer. There is a nice listing in the lower Chesapeake - says 'Military owner' - that I have had my eye on for some time.
Dave, you said that. . . .
so well!! I think you may have missed a calling. Of course contracting on Catalina Island ranks pretty high on my list too.
I would remind Brian however that there is a very large difference between salt water boats and fresh water boats. A Great Lakes boat is going to be in much better condition given the same year and owner maintenance.
so well!! I think you may have missed a calling. Of course contracting on Catalina Island ranks pretty high on my list too.
I would remind Brian however that there is a very large difference between salt water boats and fresh water boats. A Great Lakes boat is going to be in much better condition given the same year and owner maintenance.- Status