I am looking for a little guidance here…. I am trying to narrow down the shopping list. I am looking at the Morgan 382, 3 & 4 and the Hunter 37Cutter the Cherubini design built from ’77-’84. It seems that both boats have a very similar design and specs. I have read the owners reviews on both boats. They are both great boats, according to the reviews. Any reason I should get on over the other? Anybody, have any first hand experience with both boats? Care to point out any obvious stuff I may have missed? Build quality? I have been aboard a Hunter but have only seen the Morgan online. It seems like there will be enough room for my wife, an occasional guest and me. I am also interested in the performance characteristics of each boat. Thanks of your reply’s Osprey
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Holding tank issues
I looked into Morgan 382's specifically, before buying a 37c. Not sure if the following applies to the later models, but they are more $$. Just like the 37c there are issues with the holding tank. It is built into the keel and has a tendency to leak, not to mention extemely difficult to access the top. There are fixes discussed on the Net if you search various boards and use Google. Glassing over the top or just filling it up with cement or something. One of the issues that concerned me was if it got punctured it might be a big problem, plus it seemed to me that the boat might behave differently depending on it being full or empty. Another issue I recall was something with the head pan. Possibly the tabbing or the corner of the pan against the hull, I don't remember exactly. This was fixed by the factory on some of them, I think. Sorry I don't remember the specifics. Check this site if you haven't already, should be able to get the details. Good luck.
I looked into Morgan 382's specifically, before buying a 37c. Not sure if the following applies to the later models, but they are more $$. Just like the 37c there are issues with the holding tank. It is built into the keel and has a tendency to leak, not to mention extemely difficult to access the top. There are fixes discussed on the Net if you search various boards and use Google. Glassing over the top or just filling it up with cement or something. One of the issues that concerned me was if it got punctured it might be a big problem, plus it seemed to me that the boat might behave differently depending on it being full or empty. Another issue I recall was something with the head pan. Possibly the tabbing or the corner of the pan against the hull, I don't remember exactly. This was fixed by the factory on some of them, I think. Sorry I don't remember the specifics. Check this site if you haven't already, should be able to get the details. Good luck.
weaknesses are known
since both have long histories, the weak points have showed up a long time ago. On most of the H37Cs I have seen, including mine, the obvious things were fixed. The holding tank was done, and while I may redo it again someday, it is not an overwhelming job or expense. The ports eventually need replacing. That's a bigger job, so I am doing it one at a time. The overall quality was good, but most 25 year old boats have been worked on, and hopefully improved. Also remember that the boats built from 78-85 (Cherubini designs) were considerably stronger, thicker hulls etc., than later generation Hunters. Some some of the workmanship issues of newer boats do not apply. A surveyor can tell you about the big ticket items common to all boats: sails, rigging and engines. If you need lotsa electronics, that's another category. All these but the engine will need work, rehab or replacement every seven years or so. The engine will run darn near forever if taken care of, but the 27 horse is better than the 20 imho... Morgan's a good boat, but I'd doubt if the owners' network is as good as this one! Good luck, Sanders
since both have long histories, the weak points have showed up a long time ago. On most of the H37Cs I have seen, including mine, the obvious things were fixed. The holding tank was done, and while I may redo it again someday, it is not an overwhelming job or expense. The ports eventually need replacing. That's a bigger job, so I am doing it one at a time. The overall quality was good, but most 25 year old boats have been worked on, and hopefully improved. Also remember that the boats built from 78-85 (Cherubini designs) were considerably stronger, thicker hulls etc., than later generation Hunters. Some some of the workmanship issues of newer boats do not apply. A surveyor can tell you about the big ticket items common to all boats: sails, rigging and engines. If you need lotsa electronics, that's another category. All these but the engine will need work, rehab or replacement every seven years or so. The engine will run darn near forever if taken care of, but the 27 horse is better than the 20 imho... Morgan's a good boat, but I'd doubt if the owners' network is as good as this one! Good luck, Sanders
Sail them.
You need to sail them both. When I was shopping I was told the H37C was a great boat to sail. I was doubtful but bought one anyway, without first sailing her. I really wanted a cutter that I could afford. Now after six seasons in every condition(almost) that Lake Erie can dish out I can tell you. This is a great sailing boat! I single-hand a lot so location of winches, sheets, and smaller sails mean a lot. And a lot faster than I expected. Here she is making well over 7 knots(pic).
You need to sail them both. When I was shopping I was told the H37C was a great boat to sail. I was doubtful but bought one anyway, without first sailing her. I really wanted a cutter that I could afford. Now after six seasons in every condition(almost) that Lake Erie can dish out I can tell you. This is a great sailing boat! I single-hand a lot so location of winches, sheets, and smaller sails mean a lot. And a lot faster than I expected. Here she is making well over 7 knots(pic).
Rudder Post Failure?
Of course, I posted this on the Morgan 38 owners site as well...) One thing that was brought up is the lack of a skeg support for the rudder. Has this been a problem on these boats? Has anyone ever had a failure or had cracks show up in survey? Is this something to be concerned about for offshore sailing? Thanks Again
Of course, I posted this on the Morgan 38 owners site as well...) One thing that was brought up is the lack of a skeg support for the rudder. Has this been a problem on these boats? Has anyone ever had a failure or had cracks show up in survey? Is this something to be concerned about for offshore sailing? Thanks Again
I looked at both
That's not entirely true since since I looked at a Morgan 33 out-island. The Morgan's are extremely roomy. The cabin top runs all the way to the toe rail providing over 6 feet of head-room inside from toe rail to toe rail, so it feels huge inside, especially a 38. My friend's Morgan 33 feels about as big or bigger than my 37C inside the salon, although, it has no shower, or separated quarter-berth. Another thing to think about is the keel, the 37C can turn on a dime with its fin-keel, but the Morgan really needs serious weigh on in order to make it through a tack. This difficulty, as well as being slow, and getting pushed around like a beach ball by the wind, at anchor, in port, out on the water (because of the deck design that I mentioned above--the wind has a lot of surface area to push the boat broadside) my friend might get rid of his Morgan. I also don't think that they were built as bullet-proof as the 37C--which is obvious when you look at the rigging and hull and deck contours (I don't know about hull thickness, although I know the older 37C's are hand laid up and very thick). On the other hand, if space inside is really important, the Morgan will feel much larger than the 37C hands down. The furniture and table layout in its salon are also well-done.
That's not entirely true since since I looked at a Morgan 33 out-island. The Morgan's are extremely roomy. The cabin top runs all the way to the toe rail providing over 6 feet of head-room inside from toe rail to toe rail, so it feels huge inside, especially a 38. My friend's Morgan 33 feels about as big or bigger than my 37C inside the salon, although, it has no shower, or separated quarter-berth. Another thing to think about is the keel, the 37C can turn on a dime with its fin-keel, but the Morgan really needs serious weigh on in order to make it through a tack. This difficulty, as well as being slow, and getting pushed around like a beach ball by the wind, at anchor, in port, out on the water (because of the deck design that I mentioned above--the wind has a lot of surface area to push the boat broadside) my friend might get rid of his Morgan. I also don't think that they were built as bullet-proof as the 37C--which is obvious when you look at the rigging and hull and deck contours (I don't know about hull thickness, although I know the older 37C's are hand laid up and very thick). On the other hand, if space inside is really important, the Morgan will feel much larger than the 37C hands down. The furniture and table layout in its salon are also well-done.
Great Picture
Ed Great picture of your H37C. I am stuck with an extended program in Papua New Guinea and have not seen my H37C for four months. Love the picture. It makes me homesick for the Pacific Northwest. Themperature here has been over 100 degrees F during the recent barge loading exercise which makes me dream about sailing in cool waters. Morgan - Hunter, who cares. It is the sailing that counts. Of course my H37C will sail circles around a Morgan but I am more interested in the cool beer right now. Fair winds. Don
Ed Great picture of your H37C. I am stuck with an extended program in Papua New Guinea and have not seen my H37C for four months. Love the picture. It makes me homesick for the Pacific Northwest. Themperature here has been over 100 degrees F during the recent barge loading exercise which makes me dream about sailing in cool waters. Morgan - Hunter, who cares. It is the sailing that counts. Of course my H37C will sail circles around a Morgan but I am more interested in the cool beer right now. Fair winds. Don
About that H37C rudder.
Over the years I have read of numerous rudder failures. Not just on Hunters and not just here on 'sailboatowners.com'. But I cannot remember even one in connection with the H37C. They are not without potential problems however. Many of us have strengthened the rudder bearing support area. Some have added a second bearing to prevent the rudder from floating up against the hull. They will allow water ingress where the stock enters the top of the rudder. I keep that sealed with epoxy. If they fill with water they will freeze and crack the outside skin. But I do not think any of these issues is unique to the H37C. Many mfgs. use Foss rudders. And you can always buy a new one from them(Related Link).
Over the years I have read of numerous rudder failures. Not just on Hunters and not just here on 'sailboatowners.com'. But I cannot remember even one in connection with the H37C. They are not without potential problems however. Many of us have strengthened the rudder bearing support area. Some have added a second bearing to prevent the rudder from floating up against the hull. They will allow water ingress where the stock enters the top of the rudder. I keep that sealed with epoxy. If they fill with water they will freeze and crack the outside skin. But I do not think any of these issues is unique to the H37C. Many mfgs. use Foss rudders. And you can always buy a new one from them(Related Link).
Good Old Boat
The last issue of Good Old Boat has the history of Morgan's career as a designer and builder of boats. Not much specific on the boat you are considering, but excellent background. David Lady Lillie
The last issue of Good Old Boat has the history of Morgan's career as a designer and builder of boats. Not much specific on the boat you are considering, but excellent background. David Lady Lillie
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