The good AND the bad qualities for livingaboard

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Kathy

I am considering buying a Hunter 37’ cutter and I would like to hear from owners, past & present, the good AND the bad. I especially would like to hear the bad so I will be prepared for any problems that might come along. The good is much easier to take :)!! I am planning on living aboard but with costal cruising and the possibility of going to the Bahamas and Caribbean after I retire. I will most likely be living aboard for 3 to 5 years. Or if anyone has any suggestions as to other boats to consider I would like to hear from them also. I am looking for livability, space, storage, tankage, good strong & fast sailing AND motoring abilities. Thank You!!!! Kathy
 
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scott wilson

Kathy, check the archives

as the 37C owners are active posters and as a group are knowledgable concerning the "guts" of their boats. I was looking at the 37C a little over a year ago and my Qs were posted and answered. Scott
 
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richard shelby

living aboard

Kathy: I lived alone on my H37C for about a year at a marina in Fort Pierce, FL. I could write a book about it. The short answer is I loved it, and am planning to do it again someday. You want only the bad? 1) You have to walk to the head, unless you want to pump the holding tank every week. 2) You can't buy a lot of groceries at one time. 3)You can't have a lot of "stuff" (perhaps not so bad). 4) There's not too much privacy, and you will discover more about your neighbors than perhaps is desirable. For two people the H37C is about the right size. Remember: overall expenses (maintenance and other hassles)are proportional to the CUBE of the waterline length.
 
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Ed Schenck

H37C is too small.

See the difference in the sterns of the two boats in the picture taken today. My H37C to the left and a 31-foot Bene to the right. There is more interior room and storage in the Beneteau. I could live on my H37C with my First Mate, no problem. But she has a hard time spending a long weekend aboard. It is just a matter of preference. Can you buy a boat as safe and solid as the H37C with lots of room? Sure you can but be prepared to spend double the money. Have you read the Owner's Reviews for the H37C in the "Boat Directory"? There are many, many liveaboards on the H37C.
 

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barbara franks

living aboard

I have lived aboard with my husband for 5+ yearsall year round.We have made some improvements over the years but the boat is basically the same.The head and shower arrangement is a big plus and we hav e found the boat bid enough.It could use some more storage space. but we have found it a nice boat to sail and good value,
 
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Dave Simpson

Lovin' Livin' Aboard

My wife and I moved aboard Duet, our '81 37c about six months after we bought her, back in 1988. We lived in a slip at a marina for 13 years, now on a mooring in Avalon Harbor on Catalina Island in SoCal. We have made LOTS of modifications over the years, for both safety and comfort considerations. You might find a few described in the archives. The boat is great for living aboard, but there is one ingredient you need that the boat cannot provide.....that other soul on board with you. He/she must be both compatible and willing. Willing to take the rocky nights, the minor inconveniences and such, but also willing to feel the gentle lap of the water, the generally wonderful people you'll find as neighbors, and the odd sunset from the cockpit that'll knock you out! Go for it!
 
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Richard Briggs

It's Great

Hi Kathy, I recently sailed my 81 37c to the Rio Dulce in Guatemala. Although I havn't lived aboard her long, I have been very pleased with her especially during the passage. I knew I would be a live aboard so I took this in to consideration when looking at boats. Enjoy your 37c she is a wonderful boat and very comfortable. As far as storage space she has enough for all I NEED, now if she has enough storage for everything I want? probably not. If I wanted to keep a lot of STUFF I would probably still be in a house. Fair Winds, Ricardo s/v La Vida Feliz :)
 
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Ed Schenck

But Richard?

Briggs that is. You do not state how many of your crew resides on the boat. Your very nice website has four crew. Surely there are not that many staying aboard. My H37C would be ideal for me. Many of you are lucky enough to have a spouse or special friend who shares the dream. So I can see that two might be comfortable. My Admiral would use my 400 amp hours just drying and curling her hair every morning. When we go to the beach we rent a 3-bedroom condo!!! Some people just need a LOT of room and "things". We are starting to reach some kind of compromise. Maybe two or three weeks on the boat before renting a car and going home for awhile. It's that or I find other crew. Hmmm. :)
 
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Richard Briggs

point well taken Ed

Yes Ed I did omit a very important factor. The web site is a little mis-leadin and is under re-construction. During the passage there were max 3 person. Now the Admiral did not take the passage, she flew down when the boat got there. Now it is only her and I and mostly "I" as she spends a lot of time in the states. So the bottom line is.... For two people we find it comfortable at this time as we havnt spent that much time together on the boat. Gadz I hope I cleared this up... Ricardo s/v La Vida Feliz :)
 
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