Do I have a Cherubini Hunter?

[SamNelson]

I just purchased a 1981 Hunter 27 "fixer-upper". From my research I feel that I have a "Cherubini Hunter" and am asking for confirmation.
Is it automatically a "Cherubini" because of when it was made?
Thanks for your help.

 

[MrUnix]

Is it automatically a "Cherubini" because of when it was made?

Yes, yours is a Cherubini.. and it's 'automatically' a Cherubini because it was designed by a dude named John Cherubini

Cheers,
Brad

 

[Ed Schenck]

Brad is right of course. As seen at the top of the page: "The Cherubini Hunters Hunter models 25, 27, 30, 33, 36, 37 cutter, and 54". Then generally the years from 1975 through 1985. But there is some overlap after 1983 with, for example, the H31 in '83 and the H40 in '84 which were not Cherubini designs. If you look under the "Boat Info" tab you can see where boats are designated with the years like your H27, also the H30, H33, and the H36. Welcome aboard.

 

[Jim Legere]

Ed, don't forget the Hunter 34 - another non-Cherubini design from the early '80s. There's a lot of them about. They do look vaguely like a Cherubini Hunter - I guess Cort Steck was cutting his designer teeth back then and still stealing a glance at John's drafting board once in a while...

 

[John New]

I'll just add my own verification - it's a Cherubini.

And Congratulations!! I've owned a 1981 H27 for 11 years now, and you'll find that she's a very sturdy, capable little coastal cruiser. I sailed her all over southern Lake Michigan for years and now she's out here with me now exploring the Chesapeake.

 

[rardiH36]

Hi SamNelson

Hope that you will participate in this forum a lot as you go to task on your "fixer upper". She's worth it.

Here is a "cut-and-paste" of a post I made several years ago in response to a query by another new owner of a Hunter Cherubini 27 classic:

=================================

" ... the Cherubini Hunter classic design and sound construction were/are great. All-in-all a perfect boat for restoring to original glory.

On central San Francisco Bay quite a few times over the last several years I've seen a wonderfully restored Hunter Cherubini 27 ... with new sails ... out for a day cruise. When I notice it, I will alter my course to get a better look. (Unfortunately the owner may not know much about the Cherubini mystique since there has been no sign of recognition that my 1980 Cherubini Hunter 36 is part of the same line.)

I don't think there is any other 27' sailboat that under sail looks so much like a real mid/large cruiser. On the water, it gives the impression of a much bigger boat. Just wonderful. The brochure in the link that Ed sent shows the beautiful lines of the Cherubini H27."

====================================

Presumably you have found a copy of the owner's manual and the original brochure?

Good choice!

 

[SamNelson]

Beginning to find the issues....

I ordered a new mainsail, replaced the top hatch (forward hatch needs replacing as well, but that will be a beast of a job). I had tried to close the sliding door between the salon and the head, but it was stuck. Applying more force made the door come apart. Today, I decided to get the pieces out and glue them back together... when I discovered the root cause of the door weakness.
Whatever you call that timber between the mast and (I suppose) the keel... it's damp, rotted and has termite damage. I have no idea why the mast is still standing.

I'm gonna name this boat "Cha-Ching".

This seems like a serious, expensive and difficult undertaking to repair.
Darn and drat!

 

[rardiH36]

Unanticipated problems can be a challenge. The post from the underside of the deck to the bottom is called the compression post

There was a recent thread about the H Cherubini 36 mast step which might help.

You might try to search the archives for something more specific regarding your model.

Are you a DIY type of person with some time? If so, I guess there are two types of fixes for this type of issue. The one that will restore to original --- or the type that will do the trick but not so quite so perfect.

Other forum members probably will weigh in. But if it was my problem and I wanted to save some $'s, and if the compression post failure hasn't already caused a depression on the deck I might look at:

- Loosening the standing rigging -- but still leave firm enough that the mast won't work loose.
- Place a couple of 4x4's cut to the appropriate height fore and aft of the rotted post and car-jack firmly between the keel and the underside of the deck. You might be able to raise the depressed deck an inch or so?
- Replace the rotted post with high quality pressure treated wood (maybe even the really extended in-ground grade). Maybe also soak the bottom end in copper green for added protection.
- Release/remove the car jack temporary compression posts.

The Cherubini Hunter 36 has wood a compression post (in several long pieces) from underside of the deck down to the cabin floor. Then for the remaining 10-12 or so inches from the underside of the floor to the bilge/keel surface, there is a 4" metal post. Don't know if this arrangement is the same on the 27.

Another item about the mast base is at the deck. Issues can occur there as well. Here is the url to thread a way's back for the 27 mast step.

http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=707764&highlight=27 step

 

[SamNelson]

looking forward

Thanks Rardi. I was thinking along those lines. I don't know where the original dampness comes from. I read in the archive you showed me that a common problem is water leaks from where the mast and compression post come together at the deck, that could be it. I would hate to lower the mast, but it may be necessary to repair whatever is leaking.

I'm trying to do some research on the job.. the internet is a wonderful thing.. thanks to Al Gore.

Sam

 

[DianaOfBurlington]

Recognizable Cherubini Hunter features

Don't forget that one of the most readily-recognizable features of my dad's work is the more-or-less 60-degree bow rake. My 1974 H25 is exactly 60 degrees (according to the stem fitting for it). This feature was conspicuously admired and copied by Cort Steck in the early '80s as Hunter wanted to retain some semblance of family unity amongst the model line. Of course this concept was quickly forgotten.

I am not looking at drawings at the moment; but I'd be willing to bet most of us will report a bow stem angle of about 60 degrees from horizontal. I wonder if my dad was going for the golden-mean figure of 61.9-- though, knowing him as I have known him, I suspect it was purely by eye.

 

[H33CRich]

Don't forget that one of the most readily-recognizable features of my dad's work is the more-or-less 60-degree bow rake. My 1974 H25 is exactly 60 degrees (according to the stem fitting for it). This feature was conspicuously admired and copied by Cort Steck in the early '80s as Hunter wanted to retain some semblance of family unity amongst the model line. Of course this concept was quickly forgotten.

I am not looking at drawings at the moment; but I'd be willing to bet most of us will report a bow stem angle of about 60 degrees from horizontal. I wonder if my dad was going for the golden-mean figure of 61.9-- though, knowing him as I have known him, I suspect it was purely by eye.

Also, the bustle seems like a JC Signature on his boats.
Sailboat Data lists it as a JC boat. Check it out at http://sailboatdata.com/view_designer.asp?designer_id=68

 

[dakno]

Re: Beginning to find the issues....

Sam I also have a 1981 h27 based out of new orleans. It has been in my family since 1982. I replace the plastic Grey marine hatches with bomar low profile alunimum. The foward one needed minor modification of opening, the salon one fit right in. I also have a 5/16 depression in cabin floor which makes opening and closing head door difficult and am currently looking for fixes for the cabin floor befoe it gets any worse. let me know how you resolve this issue. good luck, these are good boats