Hello, I don't know if I am in the right forum for this. I will be buying a (used) boat next fall. I suspect it will be a H37. Is this boat (in general) good enough for The whole US East Coast, Bahamas, and Caribberan? I am in the Navy, on Guam for 18 more nonths, and I will buy something as soon as I retire. I am not an around the world adventurer, but I want to take some time off form work and do some cruising. All in all, is this boat up to the task, (a used one is about all I will be able to afford). Thanks, Jim
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Love our cutter
Jim, We bought a ''79 cutter almost four years ago now (I just made payment 44) and love the boat. Since we sail in the Chesapeake with lots of water but not much depth we wanted a shallow draft and the shoal draft of 4 feet is wonderful in a boat that size. Had some good blows on the bay but have not felt overly threatened by the shallow draft. The cutter rig is wonderful since you can knock the jib down easily and still have sail in the fore triangle. Keep in mind that in buying an older boat like that you will have some upgrading to do unless the previous owner has done it already. If you follow the forum here you will see that about the first thing most people do is to replace all the ports. There has also been discussion of holding tanks and replacement. Check the archives for lots of good advise on what to do with the boat. I have not read a lot about blistering on the early cutters and we have not had a problem with it. About the only real major problem along those lines are water leaks that may rot the core out and could lead to some expensive repair bills. A good surveyer will help you with that. Since this is early on in fiberglass technology the boats are laid up with lots of glass and are solid. This adds more weight if you check the specs between a 79 and 89 or 99 boat. All in all it has been a great boat and we look forward to spending more time on it eventually. Ha! Maybe after retirement. Frank SV *Stargazer
Jim, We bought a ''79 cutter almost four years ago now (I just made payment 44) and love the boat. Since we sail in the Chesapeake with lots of water but not much depth we wanted a shallow draft and the shoal draft of 4 feet is wonderful in a boat that size. Had some good blows on the bay but have not felt overly threatened by the shallow draft. The cutter rig is wonderful since you can knock the jib down easily and still have sail in the fore triangle. Keep in mind that in buying an older boat like that you will have some upgrading to do unless the previous owner has done it already. If you follow the forum here you will see that about the first thing most people do is to replace all the ports. There has also been discussion of holding tanks and replacement. Check the archives for lots of good advise on what to do with the boat. I have not read a lot about blistering on the early cutters and we have not had a problem with it. About the only real major problem along those lines are water leaks that may rot the core out and could lead to some expensive repair bills. A good surveyer will help you with that. Since this is early on in fiberglass technology the boats are laid up with lots of glass and are solid. This adds more weight if you check the specs between a 79 and 89 or 99 boat. All in all it has been a great boat and we look forward to spending more time on it eventually. Ha! Maybe after retirement. Frank SV *Stargazer
Small world...
as I am ex-Navy and was stationed in Va. Beach although was at sea most of the time. And I own a 1979 H37C that is planned for exactly what you want to do, sail the East Coast and the islands. This, my second Spring, I took the bottom to bare fiberglas. There were a few dozen small blisters, size of a pencil eraser, which I Dremeled and filled. Then three coats of Interlux 2000E barrier coat and two coats of good A/F and she's ready for saltwater(currently in Lake Erie). I have no leaks but the portlights are the tacky plastic ones. The spigots(frames) stick out from the cabin and people step on them and crack them. Will eventually replace with bronze, around $2000. for the set. The later models, 1982-, have some nice features that you will want. But they are definitely seaworthy, I have sailed in the North Atlantic and Erie can be just as tough. A good H37C goes for $35000. to $40000.(asking) on the Great Lakes. Paid less than $35k for my 1979. You'll want a good surveyor($500.) and a good sea trial. Ed(schencked@bfusa.com)
as I am ex-Navy and was stationed in Va. Beach although was at sea most of the time. And I own a 1979 H37C that is planned for exactly what you want to do, sail the East Coast and the islands. This, my second Spring, I took the bottom to bare fiberglas. There were a few dozen small blisters, size of a pencil eraser, which I Dremeled and filled. Then three coats of Interlux 2000E barrier coat and two coats of good A/F and she's ready for saltwater(currently in Lake Erie). I have no leaks but the portlights are the tacky plastic ones. The spigots(frames) stick out from the cabin and people step on them and crack them. Will eventually replace with bronze, around $2000. for the set. The later models, 1982-, have some nice features that you will want. But they are definitely seaworthy, I have sailed in the North Atlantic and Erie can be just as tough. A good H37C goes for $35000. to $40000.(asking) on the Great Lakes. Paid less than $35k for my 1979. You'll want a good surveyor($500.) and a good sea trial. Ed(schencked@bfusa.com)
H37C VIRGIN ISLANDS
I owned a H37 (82) for 11 years. The first five years I sailed NJ coastal waters and Long Island Sound as far East as Newport and Block Island. I had the boat taken to St Thomas, USVI and sailed the US and British Virgin Islands for six years. I sold the boat in 1993 and bought a Passage 42. The boat is now in Antigua for sale by a broker. It's a very seaworthy and reliable boat and my favorite of all the boats I've owned. Good luck.
I owned a H37 (82) for 11 years. The first five years I sailed NJ coastal waters and Long Island Sound as far East as Newport and Block Island. I had the boat taken to St Thomas, USVI and sailed the US and British Virgin Islands for six years. I sold the boat in 1993 and bought a Passage 42. The boat is now in Antigua for sale by a broker. It's a very seaworthy and reliable boat and my favorite of all the boats I've owned. Good luck.
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