Hunter 37.5 - Setting Up for Singlehanding

[Neill Parker Jr]

I am considering purchasing a 1995 Hunter 37.5 was hoping there are some Hunter 37.5 owners who could help me with a question.

I single hand my current boat much of the time, and what's more difficult than that, I do it with lots of people (non-sailors) on board. With my tiller-steered ODay 30, I have the genoa winches and the mainsheet on the bridgedeck right at hand while I'm steering. Although the jib winches on the aft coaming pad are nice and handy, I don't think I'll be comfortable with the mid-boom mainsheet with its line stopper and winch all the way at the front of the cockpit, particularly with all those people in the way.

I was hoping a 37.5 owner could tell me if the mainsheet requires a winch. I note that the early model years of this boat had a bridgedeck traveller with no winch nearby, but maybe with that big main and the mid-boom configuration it is different? I was thinking I could lead both ends of the mainsheet down the side decks to stoppers or cam cleats at the aft end of the port & starboard decks. If I need extra power for those last inches of trim when beating to windward, maybe I could add an extra block on one of those side decks to double the power. Or maybe try to find a space aft for a winch?

I like the mid-boom mainsheet location for how it frees up space for the bimini, I would hate to give that up. Maybe if the double-ended sheet idea doesn't work, I'd have to bite the bullet and put in one of those metal arches like the newer Hunters?

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Rick D]

Give it some time. I singlehand my 40.5. You really need an auto pilot. With that, handling the main isn't a big deal, nor is raising or dropping it. I would suggest a Dutchman or Lazy Jacks for dropping it. Tacking the main isn't a problem nor is a jibe in light to medium air. Heavy air; do a chicken jibe. I wouldn't consider modifications until you get a feel for it. It will be a pretty easy boat to handle IMHO.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Had a 37.5, the mainsheet is a duel speed type of block and tackle system. You pull both lines and you get a fast but weak pull, pull one and you get a slow but powerful pull. The jib sheets are going to be a problem unless you have an autopilot.

 

[Lee Scott]

I don't have any problem single-handing my 37.5, even with the jib sheet winches mounted on the forward coaming pads rather than the aft ones. You do have to assume a different position for steering sometimes, but it's not a real problem.

Most of the time, I use the traveler rather than the main sheet to adjust the boom, and I've got the traveler control lines long enough that I can reach the wheel and pull the lines without having to be two places at the same time.

The wheel brake usually gives me enough time to do what I need to do.

 

[neilleparkerjr]

Thanks a lot, and a couple more questions....

Thank you Rick, Bill, and oldjags,

Those sound like good pieces of advice.

I certainly use my autopilot alot now and wouldn't expect that to change much, and I have a good feeling about the jib winches on the aft coaming pad. And the value of giving it time before making modifications is real, as long as I am convinced I can live with the boat one way or another. For meits very improtant, being able to control the sails all by myself not just when I'm solo, but also when the cockpit is full of non-sailors who are obstructions in my way. So I have a couple more specific questions:

1) Does the mainsheet require a winch with the mid-boom set-up? Perhaps the dual-ended setup was for an earlier model with the mainsheet led to the cockpit instead of the coachroof on the 1995 model that I am considering?

2) I see how the traveller control could be as important as the mainsheet on this boat. But can it be hauled up while close-hauled, without a winch? Wouldn't the long line through the cockpit hit the people in the cockpit in the face, or knock the drinks out of their hands, if I had to pull on it suddenly?

Thanks again,
Neill

 

[Lee Scott]

Thank you Rick, Bill, and oldjags,

Those sound like good pieces of advice.

I certainly use my autopilot alot now and wouldn't expect that to change much, and I have a good feeling about the jib winches on the aft coaming pad. And the value of giving it time before making modifications is real, as long as I am convinced I can live with the boat one way or another. For meits very improtant, being able to control the sails all by myself not just when I'm solo, but also when the cockpit is full of non-sailors who are obstructions in my way. So I have a couple more specific questions:

1) Does the mainsheet require a winch with the mid-boom set-up? Perhaps the dual-ended setup was for an earlier model with the mainsheet led to the cockpit instead of the coachroof on the 1995 model that I am considering?

2) I see how the traveller control could be as important as the mainsheet on this boat. But can it be hauled up while close-hauled, without a winch? Wouldn't the long line through the cockpit hit the people in the cockpit in the face, or knock the drinks out of their hands, if I had to pull on it suddenly?

Thanks again,
Neill

We usually put the guests in the stern rail seats, where they are out of the way. Those are the best seats in the house, anyway. With more guests, it's 'I need you to move over there for a second.'

Or, I show them a simple task and tell them, 'OK, when I give you the signal, pull on that blue line there until the boom is centered.' That way they feel like they are contributing, and I don't have to crawl over everybody to do it myself. One person on the traveler, and one on each jib sheet, and I can pretty much stay behind the wheel and steer.

 

[Lee Scott]

Forgot the other question: The mainsheet usually only needs the winch if you are close hauled and the wind is stiff. For us on our inland lake, 15 knots is a stiff breeze. Most of the time we're sailing in 10 or less, and the winch is not needed then.