Is the L 37.5 a good boat?

[Brett]

I am currently looking at a 1996 Hunter 37.5. Are there any issues with this boat I should look out for?I read about the aluminum holding tank problem and also there were issues with the lifeline stanchions as well as some problems with the hood roller furling system in 18 knot winds.Are there any other issues regarding this boat?Any feedback regarding how it sails would also be great since it is in the yard.Thanks,Brett

 

[Bud Cook]

Hunter 37.5

BrettWe have a 1991 37.5 and have sailed her ("Rum Runner") for the last 10 years. We love the boat! It's very quick (we have raced very sucessfully and took first or second in all of the Hunter Rendezvous in the Northeast)and has been a very satisfactory cruising boat (my wife and I returned last May from our second eight month trip to The Bahamas). The Yanmar engine has been superb and we are still using the original factory UK Hong Kong sails. The aluminum holding tank is about to be replaced with a plastic tank, I think we may have a leak in the water tank and the counter weight for the salon table is hung up in the compression post. All in all, pretty minor problems. I think you will like the way it sails and it has loads of room. If you want to talk further, suggest you e-mail me at "budvilma@aol.com"

 

[D.Wilbert]

Its great !!

We have had our 375 for 5 seasons, and have raced it sucessfully. Its fast, especially off the wind. I don't do as well to weather in 15kn, as Its a little top heavy, and an early reef is usually called for.We also cruise Lake Huron every summer. Its the best under 40 foot cabin afloat. I have only had minor problems that include trying to keep the lousy Barient winches working, a head hose to replace, a rebuild of the lousy Hood furler.Otherwise Its the best under 40 foot production sailboat afloat. Good luck

 

[George Dibble]

Legend 37.5

Mine is a 1996 model, one of the last to come off the line. I had a choice between it or a 37.6. Chose this one and have been extremely happy with it. Agree with the other posts, but have had no problems other than a few while under warranty that Hunter covered. Have not yet had to replace the holding tank, but know it is coming. That is the only flaw that I know of. I have been in 28-30 knot winds and have had no problem with the roller furling other than an initial problem centering around a misaligned turning block. If your proposed purchase is in great shape, I say go for it.

 

[Brian Leney]

7 great seasons

We've just completed our 7th season sailing our 1995 year 37.5 on the Chesapeake Bay. We do the Boat Show "thing" every year, but we have no interest in replacing our beloved 37.5. Like everything else, you need to weigh your specific requirements. We love the spaciousness, comfort and sailability for cruising. I would not bother to equip her for racing. And my personal preference would be for something beefier if I were to cross oceans.Maintenance problems have been few. We have the "stanchion" problem, but this is minor and does not affect sailability or much else. When the time comes to replace the lifelines, we will get the stanchions fixed in another few years (you can still buy new stanchions from Hunter, last time I checked). Later models like ours used Lewmar winches, not Barient, and no problems with ours. Holding tank is still original.We still have the original UK sails. One issue with them is that the standard plastic sail slugs for the main (that go in the mast track) seem to deteriorate over the course of a few years. We are about to replace them all (17 or so) for the second time. Costs about $25 if you do it your self.We reef early since we have like to have an enjoyable ride and we usually find we can go just as fast, but more upright with a reef at 15 knots. The jiffy reefing makes that very easy to do. The Hood furling system has not been a problem for us (single-line).Had our 2 first engine problems this year, neither one caused us to not get home: 1) slow drip on raw water petcock (replaced it), 2) seal on freshwater recirc pump failed, weeping (replaced it). Engine access is fabulous.The only handling shortcoming I would point to, easily fixed, is lack of mid-ship cleats. We often have to warp in and out of our slip. We added cleats at midship on the genoa car tracks to do just that. The beauty of the 37.5 vs. say the 37.6 and other later models, is that you have a metal toe rail to bump against things and leave no marks on your boat (newer models use rubber strips).Love the boat!