Dear sailors: At the beginning of this sailing season (Midwestern US sailing season that is) I wrote a novice note to this bulletin board announcing that I was about to close on a 1980 H25 not ever having owned a boat of any kind or sailed a minute in my life. I received many well wishes and loads of encouragement about this leap of faith and the experiences ahead. I would like to report to you now that the 2002 sailing season – the first season – on a small Iowa lake was FANTASTIC! I must admit that in the first couple of weeks while I was single handing and getting my butt kicked in high winds and wondering if I was about to die, I considered the idea that I had made a serious mistake in jumping into this business. I soon learned, however, that I was not going to die and that this fine old H25 was going to take good care of me even while I was making my mistakes. When I bought this boat I knew nothing of the Cherubini Hunter legacy – I just lucked out. I am fortunate. I just want to report that you all were right and I have found out at the ripe old age of 51 that I was born to sail. What a gift. Thanks, Dennis Bidney Breezin
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Just add ten. . .
to get MY "ripe old age". And this upcoming season will be my fifth with Ladylove, an H37C on Lake Erie. And every Spring I look forward to the splash more than the previous. Wonder when that stops?
Thanks for sharing.
to get MY "ripe old age". And this upcoming season will be my fifth with Ladylove, an H37C on Lake Erie. And every Spring I look forward to the splash more than the previous. Wonder when that stops?
Thanks for sharing.Great Sport Isn't It
It is a great sport Dennis. I did a similiar thing. I went sailing a few times with some friends on a 24' boat in Lake Erie. It was VERY relaxing and peaceful with or without a beer. Soon I found myself looking at used sail boats. Made a couple of offers but could not come to terms. Then I made a BIG mistake, I went to the Annapolis Sail Boat Show. Do NOT attend this show. I repeat, DO NOT attend this show. The boats and features are out of this world. I did not know you could get the equivalent of a floating motor home or a floating condo. I talked to other sail boat owners and they all said you start out with a 20' or 30' something and keep trading up, loosing money on each transaction. Well I do not like loosing money, I was 60 years old and I did not have time for all that trade up mombo jumbo. I am on the south side of the hill and I want to maximize my sailing years. Bottom line bought a new Hunter 460. My first boat. I never thought a grown man could get such a rush doing 8 knots plus in 20 to 25 knot winds. The challenge, the rush, the excitement, the adventure brings back your youth. It is not for everyone, some people want to sit in front of their TV or swing a golf club, but for me when the wind is singing and the sails are full, I am a kid again. I am living on the edge again. Life is exciting again. Good Luck and if you get around the west end of Lake Erie give me a call, after May 1 to Oct 15, and we will go for a kick ass ride, wind permitting. Hunter gives you a lot of value for the dollar. I looked at a lot of boats and dollar for dollar, feature for dollar, it is hard to beat Hunter.
It is a great sport Dennis. I did a similiar thing. I went sailing a few times with some friends on a 24' boat in Lake Erie. It was VERY relaxing and peaceful with or without a beer. Soon I found myself looking at used sail boats. Made a couple of offers but could not come to terms. Then I made a BIG mistake, I went to the Annapolis Sail Boat Show. Do NOT attend this show. I repeat, DO NOT attend this show. The boats and features are out of this world. I did not know you could get the equivalent of a floating motor home or a floating condo. I talked to other sail boat owners and they all said you start out with a 20' or 30' something and keep trading up, loosing money on each transaction. Well I do not like loosing money, I was 60 years old and I did not have time for all that trade up mombo jumbo. I am on the south side of the hill and I want to maximize my sailing years. Bottom line bought a new Hunter 460. My first boat. I never thought a grown man could get such a rush doing 8 knots plus in 20 to 25 knot winds. The challenge, the rush, the excitement, the adventure brings back your youth. It is not for everyone, some people want to sit in front of their TV or swing a golf club, but for me when the wind is singing and the sails are full, I am a kid again. I am living on the edge again. Life is exciting again. Good Luck and if you get around the west end of Lake Erie give me a call, after May 1 to Oct 15, and we will go for a kick ass ride, wind permitting. Hunter gives you a lot of value for the dollar. I looked at a lot of boats and dollar for dollar, feature for dollar, it is hard to beat Hunter.
37c
Great to hear this. My wife and I bought a 1982 hunter 37c about 1 1/2 years ago. We had never sailed in our lives before. Took a couple of lessons and off we went. We love our boat. Spend every week end on it. We will go to the boat this afternoon after work and come back Sunday. Too cold to sail now but we enjoy the boat anyway. We're close to Oriental , nc. We have put in new water heater, recovered the settees, painted the non skid, added lazy jackes, made covers for winches, outboard engine, etc. and wanting to add a tv antennae now. And managed to sail the neuse river quite a bit. Planning a trip to Cape Lookout in the spring. Our boat looks great and takes care of us well also. Very stable and seaworthy. My wife loves the boat as much as I do.
Great to hear this. My wife and I bought a 1982 hunter 37c about 1 1/2 years ago. We had never sailed in our lives before. Took a couple of lessons and off we went. We love our boat. Spend every week end on it. We will go to the boat this afternoon after work and come back Sunday. Too cold to sail now but we enjoy the boat anyway. We're close to Oriental , nc. We have put in new water heater, recovered the settees, painted the non skid, added lazy jackes, made covers for winches, outboard engine, etc. and wanting to add a tv antennae now. And managed to sail the neuse river quite a bit. Planning a trip to Cape Lookout in the spring. Our boat looks great and takes care of us well also. Very stable and seaworthy. My wife loves the boat as much as I do.
First weekend in Feb...
will mark the second aniversary since I splashed my new-to-me '78 H27. I had some sailing experience with a friend on his Newport 30. But since I got my own I have single handed most of the time in conditions from very calm to VERY exciting. I am in love with my boat. These Cherebinis are great. I have upgrade mine considerably to make it more reliable and comfortable. Recently married, my wife had no sailing experience but has also fallen in love with sailing and our boat. She wants to be able to single hand by the end of this summer. We plan to be cruising/living aboad in about 5-7 years on a larger boat of course. We all make mistakes but these boats are very forgiving, well made and SAFE for us novice sailors. Fair winds to all.
will mark the second aniversary since I splashed my new-to-me '78 H27. I had some sailing experience with a friend on his Newport 30. But since I got my own I have single handed most of the time in conditions from very calm to VERY exciting. I am in love with my boat. These Cherebinis are great. I have upgrade mine considerably to make it more reliable and comfortable. Recently married, my wife had no sailing experience but has also fallen in love with sailing and our boat. She wants to be able to single hand by the end of this summer. We plan to be cruising/living aboad in about 5-7 years on a larger boat of course. We all make mistakes but these boats are very forgiving, well made and SAFE for us novice sailors. Fair winds to all.
marcus..we just bought the same boat....
We just purchased a hunter 27 , same year. We got a heck of a deal in an end of the season buy. The season ends here at the end of Sept. We haven't even taken delivery on ours yet. I plan to visit it this weekend, remove the cover and do some measuring. The boat needs a little cleaning up, but seems as though it is in good shape. Some of our immediate upgrades will include: a see through forward hatch, holding tank for the head, light sanding of the cabinetry and refinishing. The countertops were recently replaced, cockpit cushions. I have been looking at some of the teak-holly upgrades in the sole that have been posted here. It looks terrific. We plan to wait on this type of upgrade until we get our feet wet with her. No roller furling on this one. However, we currently have a 23 footer without one and have survived quite well. This boat has a brand new main. We are very excited and crossing our fingers. One of my concerns is the 8 hp yanmar diesel. I have never had a diesel before and am not sure what to expect. I am pretty handy and repaired many outboards. This diesel looks like it could use a new coat of engine paint, but seems to run very well. The previous owner was good about changing the impellar and the oil frequently. I would love to hear about yours..and what you have done. thanks
We just purchased a hunter 27 , same year. We got a heck of a deal in an end of the season buy. The season ends here at the end of Sept. We haven't even taken delivery on ours yet. I plan to visit it this weekend, remove the cover and do some measuring. The boat needs a little cleaning up, but seems as though it is in good shape. Some of our immediate upgrades will include: a see through forward hatch, holding tank for the head, light sanding of the cabinetry and refinishing. The countertops were recently replaced, cockpit cushions. I have been looking at some of the teak-holly upgrades in the sole that have been posted here. It looks terrific. We plan to wait on this type of upgrade until we get our feet wet with her. No roller furling on this one. However, we currently have a 23 footer without one and have survived quite well. This boat has a brand new main. We are very excited and crossing our fingers. One of my concerns is the 8 hp yanmar diesel. I have never had a diesel before and am not sure what to expect. I am pretty handy and repaired many outboards. This diesel looks like it could use a new coat of engine paint, but seems to run very well. The previous owner was good about changing the impellar and the oil frequently. I would love to hear about yours..and what you have done. thanks
Gangratulations John....
You will love that boat. Glad you got a great deal. So did I. Mine had been on the hard for 4 years before I got her. The 8hp Yanmar is a bullet proof engine. When I bought her she had been winterized. I replaced the old fuel with new, all filters, impeller, and put a new engine battery in. When I splashed her the engine fired up the first time. The engine may be weak for coastal cruising and you may want to upgrade it at some time. Since then I splashed her I have added 2 house batteries, and charger, battery switch. pressure water for the galley and a major cleaning. This past Christmas I made a new cover for the main and a hatch umbrella for the foward hatch. She does not have a furler either but have managed just fine with out one. I had thought about putting in a head with holding tank but honestly the port-a-pottey works out well. I made a shelf that goes in the peak of the V-berth to hold a small TV/VCR that is great. I am going to replace the interior cushions. The old ones are just worn out. I've done a lot of other smaller stuff just to make her more comfortable. Overall you have bought a good boat and will enjoy her for a long time. Fair winds.
You will love that boat. Glad you got a great deal. So did I. Mine had been on the hard for 4 years before I got her. The 8hp Yanmar is a bullet proof engine. When I bought her she had been winterized. I replaced the old fuel with new, all filters, impeller, and put a new engine battery in. When I splashed her the engine fired up the first time. The engine may be weak for coastal cruising and you may want to upgrade it at some time. Since then I splashed her I have added 2 house batteries, and charger, battery switch. pressure water for the galley and a major cleaning. This past Christmas I made a new cover for the main and a hatch umbrella for the foward hatch. She does not have a furler either but have managed just fine with out one. I had thought about putting in a head with holding tank but honestly the port-a-pottey works out well. I made a shelf that goes in the peak of the V-berth to hold a small TV/VCR that is great. I am going to replace the interior cushions. The old ones are just worn out. I've done a lot of other smaller stuff just to make her more comfortable. Overall you have bought a good boat and will enjoy her for a long time. Fair winds.
20th season
When I 31 I bought a 25 foot Buccaneer sailboat, no longer in production. I never even been on a small boat before then. I did take the Coast Guard safe boating course, it can give you a discount on insurance. I also took some sailing lessons. Now at 51 I might buy a Hunter 30, 27, or a 25. I miss sailing too much to stay away. It's FUN! Larry
When I 31 I bought a 25 foot Buccaneer sailboat, no longer in production. I never even been on a small boat before then. I did take the Coast Guard safe boating course, it can give you a discount on insurance. I also took some sailing lessons. Now at 51 I might buy a Hunter 30, 27, or a 25. I miss sailing too much to stay away. It's FUN! Larry
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