Should I or Shouldn't I?

[Kper]

We currently own a Catalina 25 and even though we have gone through the entire boat and it's in great condition the admiral is not happy with a tiller and outboard. I knew it was a matter of time before we moved into another boat with a wheel and inboard. The last sail of last season was with friends who own an 84 Cherubini and the admiral liked it. Although I wasn't impressed with the engine, which sounded like an old hit and miss, I liked the boat. Well, they are moving and the Hunter may be available.

Can I get some input as far as what everyone likes about their Cherubinis and any problem areas I might want to look at?

Thank you.

 

[RoyS]

What model Cherubini are you looking at?

 

[Kper]

Uh oh. I have no idea.
I guess I'll have to get back to you.

 

[Benny17441]

The Hunters Cherubini came in various sizes all the way to 37'. The "old hit and miss" sounding engine might be a single cylinder Yanmar 1GM which for that years was used in the h25 and the h27.

 

[PBeets]

We have had a 1982 Hunter 27 for about 6 years and still love it. It has the Yanmar 1GM engine which is a little loud and rough but has never failed to start (except the time I let is run out of fuel). The only issue I have is that there is a good deal of prop walk in reverse, but once you learn how to control it, it is only an inconvenience If the boat is in good shape, I would say go for it.

 

[Kper]

Ok, it's a 27. For some reason I figured the Cherubini was specific to a certain model. I know better now.

 

[Bill1565]

We have had a 1982 Hunter 27 for about 6 years and still love it. It has the Yanmar 1GM engine which is a little loud and rough but has never failed to start (except the time I let is run out of fuel). The only issue I have is that there is a good deal of prop walk in reverse, but once you learn how to control it, it is only an inconvenience If the boat is in good shape, I would say go for it.

Prop walk is a blessing if you lack a bow thruster. True you an only turn in your own length in one direction, but if you have to you can do a 270. PRACTICE is the key.

 

[Benny17441]

The late John Cherubini was a designer of a line of boats for Hunter. The boats were well designed and strongly built which has resulted in many of them being still around. His son used to be a contributor in this forum but I have not seen a post from him in some years. He used to have records of the design blueprints and was helpful with the information. At the time he was refurbishing an h25 Cherubini.

 

[kito]

Two things I would look at first would be the chainplate bulkheads. 2 of the 6 on my H30 were rotted. Also, pull up the bilge cover and inspect the compression post base and inspect it's condition. Hunter used steel "I" beam. Mine was corroded so bad it broke in half.

 

[ggrizzard]

JC2 is still around, he just doesn't post often.

 

[DianaOfBurlington]

JC2 on H25

Sorry I have not been on the forums much lately. The boat is still underway but (by the grace of God) has a reprieve from further slowdowns of work; so things are moving fast now. I may have updated the blog pics with the paint and other stuff.

Right now little Diana is sulking under the shrink wrap. It's the first year I've done this but I'm adamant about preserving all the work that's already been done (and I still have cabin-window leaks. What were the odds?).

I have a short list of some major improvements that want only the next free weekend to get underway. Right now I am pressed into changing house; and there is nowhere to store personal stuff, boat stuff, work stuff, family stuff, etc. So Diana is (still) full of tools. It's more a budgetary matter than a logisitical one.

Till the house move is done I am not able to sort through drawings and produce copies or tech info from them. It's just that so much else has to be done. I may be developing an archive of all my dad's stuff, meaning as befits a museum exhibit-- there is just so much that needs to be shown and seen. But I'll be pursuing that later; after Diana's recommissioning event. So stay tuned!

Thanks for all the encouragement, boaties. :dance:

 

[ISABELLA5]

I too have an '80 H27. Very fine boat w/1gm10 and yep it is one banging noise maker but dependable power. Sails best in light air. Comfortable for 2.

 

[rardiH36]

The Hunters Cherubini came in various sizes all the way to 37'. The "old hit and miss" sounding engine might be a single cylinder Yanmar 1GM which for that years was used in the h25 and the h27.

We tend to forget that also a 54' Hunter Cherubini was manufactured and sold. I have read somewhere it was the probably the fastest production mono hull of it's time.

Want one? If you can sail away from Portland ...

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1984/Hunter-54-2737548/Portland-/OR/United-States#.VKR5JHuWzRY

And here is link to the original Hunter brochure:

http://marlow-hunter.com/wp-content/uploads/54.pdf

 

[pvtpotter]

One of the major features I like about my 1980 27' is wheel steering and a throttle control at the helm station. For the price / vintage, etc the 27 is a great small "big boat". I am blessed with a 2 cylinder Yanmar which sounds great, but as with all diesels is a bit loud with vibration. The P.O. insulated the engine box with lots of sound deadening material which helps.
Know that working on the Yanmar can be difficult in the confines of the engine box.
Will this be your first inboard? If so be ready for a extra maintenance. You can't just leave an inboard like you do in the winter and forget about it. Also you will be spending time thinking about the status of your diesel fuel. Is it clean, water free, and fresh? When I got my Cherubini I spent some time polishing the fuel.
I agree with Kito, pay special attention to the mast step, compression post and 'Ibeam' under it all.

If the Admiral likes it I'm not sure what there is to talk about, lol.

 

[Kper]

Looks as though it may not happen... they'd like to have $17k which puts it out of our hopes for the time being. I expected somewhere around $10k.

I am now better prepared for the next Cherubini.

Thanks everyone!