Extended Blue Water Cruising

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Walt Dudley

Hello everyone. I am the proud new owner of a 1981 Hunter 37 Cutter. Just signed the papers. I need a new compass. The original is trashed. Anyone know if there is a replacement that will fit the same area without modifications? Also My surveyor and other brokers has told me that the 37 cutter is NOT a blue water vessle. Coastal cruising only! He said that that the cutter model is not a strong sailing vessle. Told me not to go greater than 25 miles off shore. I was wanting to go to the Caribbean’s in about a year or so with this vessle. Maybe also to Bermuda. Would anyone like to build on this subject that has a 37 cutter? If that was the case I could just keep my Catalina 25 for that. I took it over to the bahamas early this year for 3 weeks and live aboard. I had no problems at all. The reason I picked this vessle was that the price was what it should be and that I compared all of the numbers from a book called "The complete guide for choosing a cruising sailboat", to all of the high dollar cruising sailboats. I found that the Hunter 37's numbers compared very close to those Blue Water Boats. Anyone can e-mail me personally if desired about the 37 cutter... Walt kf8tc@charter.net
 
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Ed Ruiz

Technically, he's right.

The 37 is rated "B" (coastal cruising). Blue water boats get the "A" rating (Ocean). Nonetheless, there are plenty of "B" boats sailing the World's oceans, and some have circum-navigated it. If you want to cross oceans with the 37, you'll likely need to add tankerage for both water and fuel (at least 100 gals. of water, and at least 50 gals. of fuel). You'll need good hand-holds in the cabin, and at least one decent sea-berth. Add a good jackline and tethers on deck, get a good four-man raft, perhaps an auto-becon, and when the weather permits - you should be set to go. ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
 
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Don Berger

Congrats!

Best of luck with the new boat Walt. As far as offshore capability, if it's set up and crewed properly, you could take it anywhere. The biggest problems you'd find are limited tankage for water and fuel, storage space. You already have the cutter rig which is a big plus. Don K1vsk@cox.net
 
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Richard Briggs

great boat

Hi Walt, I also have the 1981 37c. I am leaving in 4 weeks to sail it to Rio Dulce, Guatemala. I have NO reservation about the stability of the boat. I will carry an extra 15 gal of fuel, I feel the 100 gal fresh water is adequate.I have installed radar as I think it more a necessity than a luxuary. I will be happy to let you know she she performed. enjoy!!! Richard s/v La Vida Feliz wa7mtf@winlink.org
 
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Walt Dudley

Thank you

Thank you Richard for restoring my Faith in the 37 cutter. Wish I could go with you. You have a Fun and Safe trip. When you come back let me know how it went. Walt kf8tc@charter.net
 
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Richard Briggs

not returning

Hey Walt, I say with tongue in cheek, unfortunatley I will not be coming back. I will miss this forum when I leave and will check in when ever I get near a cyber-cafe. Are you active on the HF bands? Enjoy your Hunter as much as I enjoy mine.. Regards, Richard LA Vida Feliz
 
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Walt Dudley

Ham

I just sold my Icom 765. I am going to get a Marine version. Not sure which to get at this point but will get something. I have another radio, ham bands only. I reside in WV, I had a world class station 5 years ago but lost my home and all equipment due to weather... Any info would be appreciated. If I wasn't so far away I could keep in touch but if you give me a place and a time I can listen for you. I am licensed Extra. Have a good 1 Walt KF8TC
 
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Gene Gruender

Just go!

Walt, I'm sorry to hear my boat isn't capable of offshore sailing. I'm glad I didn't hear it BEFORE we cruised 10,000 miles in it, though. Seriously, though, it's probably tougher than you are, and we've put ours though some tought stuff. I have some information oh our website that may bve of interest to you. It's at: http://www.geocities.com/rainbow_chaser.geo/upgrades.html One thing I would recommend is at least checking the chain plates, and if possible replacing with thicker ones. Many owners have found cracks in theirs, including yours truely. Gene Gruender
 
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Richard Briggs

Admiration Gene

Hey Gene, I admire all your ambition, what a great web site you have. thanks for sharing. Richard La Vida Feliz
 
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Ed Allen

I get a kick out of this 25 mile crap.

O guess the broker thinks it doesnt get rough in the ist 25 miles? I have been hearing it for 30 years, all the while these so called coastal boats have sailed all over the world in all kinds of conditions. great joy came to me a couple of years ago when a hunter 37c towed a big off shore double-ender who had a broken mast and deck damage while travling in the same storm. Could knowing what your doing have something to do with it. If my last pearson had as much glass in it as the h-37c id still own it.
 
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Gene Gruender

You make me blush!

Now I'm embarassed. We are looking for a little boat to play in while we can't cruise. I found a little 24 footer with standing room, a 50% keel weight and a diesel. Unfortunately, the budget is saying no, so I may have to start rebuilding an old wreck. Or just go back and sail Rainbow Chaser! By the way, in 10,000 miles, the worst weather we've seen is next to the Texas coast. MUCH closer than 25 miles.
 
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Ed Schenck

More detail here.

Walt, Gene is every Cherubini owners hero. He has done the work and walked the walk. There are many other H37Cs out there as you will learn by following this forum. Not sure where Ed Ruiz gets his info. The Related Link is something you will want to study. Much related to the book that you have. Read "Fuzzy Logic" then at the bottom of the menu, "Cruising Boats under 100K". The H37C makes that list. To summarize the upgrades that might improve the breed: 1) Upper rudder bearing mounting. See Photo Forum for Tom Hadoulias project. Also Gene's site. 2) Chainplates. Probably fine if fresh water, suspect if salt water. Might consider 9/32" shrouds to match backstay(instead of 1/4"). 3) Cockpit scuppers should be larger and exits should be bronze with seacocks. 4) My Simrad WP30 autohelm does really well in Lake Erie 6-footers and 30 kts of wind. But I still feel that offshore requires a below-deck unit. You will also find that in Photo Forum. 5) Unnecessary but I replaced my portlights with bronze/safety glass. I hope to join the Caribbean Rally to the islands one day. So I use their checklist as a guide. Best of luck. http://www.carib1500.com/c1500/equip.htm
 
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Ed Ruiz

Contact Hunter

They should be able to acknowledge that their 37 was not rated "A" for ocean sailing. However, please go back and read carefully what I originally wrote. I also said that there are plenty of "B" rated boats sailing the world's oceans. ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
 
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Ed Schenck

No ratings in early 80's.

As Mr. Ruiz suggested I contacted Hunter. As I suspected there were no ratings given to the Cherubini Hunters. Mr. Don Martin of Hunter Marine customer service replied to my e-mail in just one day.
 
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Jim Legere

What makes a blue water boat blue?

Walt, What makes a boat 'ready for blue water' has a lot to do with how you prepare it. The DESIGN of a H37C is pretty solid - visit the site linked below, and do a comparison between a H37C and an Island Packet 38. Pretty interesting how close the two are, huh? Now, take 10% of the money you saved buying a Hunter instead of an Island Packet and put it into the sort of upgrades suggested in a book like Daniel Spurr's "Upgrading the Cruising Sailboat" and you will have one hell of a bluewater boat. Check out the archives here and you will get an idea of what folks are doing with their 37Cs, both in the boatyard and on the cruising grounds. I'm working towards going blue - see you out there! Jim
 
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Ed Allen

I like what jim has to say

while your at it plug in a tarten 37 too. you will be pleasantly suprised.
 
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D. Prior

More support

I again seem to be late in this conversation. I agree with a previous statement, I am glad I did not know my Hunter was not recommended for offshore before I went. I have had my '84 Hunter 37 since '84. Until I came to the Pacific Northwest I was in Corpus Christi, Texas and spent every weekend more than 25 miles offshore. I have been thoroughly thrasheed once in the Galveston to Vera Cruz race in 1986. The cockpit was full of water (literaly)and the green water was up to the base of the mast a couple of times after surfing down the face of waves and burying the bow. In hindsite it was exciting. At the time it was terrifying. No damage other than a lot of water below. It took days to dry the interior. Don't be foolish with the weather but don't underestimate your Hunter 37. Check the recommendations listed and make your own decisions. The only one I would definately do before my next trip would be to re-enforce the rudder post area. The rest is nice but a lot of work. Good luck. Just go for it. Fair winds.
 
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