Hi, I am considering my next boat. We have a C30 and are looking to upgrade to a slightly larger boat without a huge additional investment in the water. Can anyone shead info on the early 80s H37s???...how do they like them, what do they like best, like the least, specific problem area, etc. We would like a boat that is bigger than the C30 for the opportunity of extended trips of several weeks or more at a time. Several of the H37s we have seen have the upgraded electronics, refrig, ac, etc already installed...plusses for our intentions. Also, does anyone have any opinions on the cutter rig design. I have never sailed one. If you have any "suggested reading" web pages, that would be of great help. It appears that early years have cockpit mtd travelers and newer ones have the cabin top travelers. Does anyone know when the change took place? And, finally, I live in Atlanta but sail in Charleston,SC. Does anyone have one I could take a look at in one of these two general areas?? Many thanks, Paul
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Sanders LaMont
Love it
The 37cutter is an easy boat to sail, well designed and very safe. We've had ours a year and a half, put about 2,000 miles on the water, and have never experienced a serious problem. Spend some time in the archives (simply plug in "37cutter" and you will find a wealth of info. Good boats, strong hulls and good overall design. Asking prices tend to be from 30k to 60k, depending upon condition and equipment. The boat was designed for "a couple in their 50s" to cruise or live aboard, so the boat is very manageable. Cutter rig means three slightly smaller sails to handle, so no heavy lifting required. We sail in San Francisco Bay, routinely do 8 knots and will put in one reef at about 20k of wind. Have been in winds of 30 plus with no serious concerns. Just roll in the jib/Yankee and use the staysail and reefed main. We have the cockpit traveler (1979) and that works fine, is strong and safe, but limits the size of the dodger. Check the owners list, but I know there are several in Florida (Port Canaveral and Miami) and should be one closer to you. We just spend ten days aboard and enjoyed it all, even the day recoating the varnish! Good luck. Check the photo forum too. S.
The 37cutter is an easy boat to sail, well designed and very safe. We've had ours a year and a half, put about 2,000 miles on the water, and have never experienced a serious problem. Spend some time in the archives (simply plug in "37cutter" and you will find a wealth of info. Good boats, strong hulls and good overall design. Asking prices tend to be from 30k to 60k, depending upon condition and equipment. The boat was designed for "a couple in their 50s" to cruise or live aboard, so the boat is very manageable. Cutter rig means three slightly smaller sails to handle, so no heavy lifting required. We sail in San Francisco Bay, routinely do 8 knots and will put in one reef at about 20k of wind. Have been in winds of 30 plus with no serious concerns. Just roll in the jib/Yankee and use the staysail and reefed main. We have the cockpit traveler (1979) and that works fine, is strong and safe, but limits the size of the dodger. Check the owners list, but I know there are several in Florida (Port Canaveral and Miami) and should be one closer to you. We just spend ten days aboard and enjoyed it all, even the day recoating the varnish! Good luck. Check the photo forum too. S.
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Ed Schenck
Couple on St. Simons
Good choice, easy to single-hand and pretty fast. Solid and seaworthy. But NOT roomy. The v-berth is a hassle for 60+ year olds. No walkthrough transom either. Would St. Simons Island be out of your way Paul? See Related Link. Most large marinas will have two or more, maybe you could find a friendly owner. I love my 1979 but wish I had gotten a later model. The traveler in the cockpit is fine but mine has the smaller 2QM engine. They moved the traveler in 1982 I think. In '83 they started with less opening portlights. My boat had no blisters but I still barrier-coated it. My portlights did not leak but many spigots were cracked or missing so I replaced them all. It had a bladder tank as a replacement for the original under showerseat tank. I replaced that with a Ronco under the v-berth. Otherwise everything has been upgrades: sails, rigging, anchor and rode, windlass, autohelm, Nexus system, etc., etc.
Good choice, easy to single-hand and pretty fast. Solid and seaworthy. But NOT roomy. The v-berth is a hassle for 60+ year olds. No walkthrough transom either. Would St. Simons Island be out of your way Paul? See Related Link. Most large marinas will have two or more, maybe you could find a friendly owner. I love my 1979 but wish I had gotten a later model. The traveler in the cockpit is fine but mine has the smaller 2QM engine. They moved the traveler in 1982 I think. In '83 they started with less opening portlights. My boat had no blisters but I still barrier-coated it. My portlights did not leak but many spigots were cracked or missing so I replaced them all. It had a bladder tank as a replacement for the original under showerseat tank. I replaced that with a Ronco under the v-berth. Otherwise everything has been upgrades: sails, rigging, anchor and rode, windlass, autohelm, Nexus system, etc., etc.
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Bill Bell
Legend 37 Great Boat also
We moved from a C30 to a Legend 37 13 years ago. The 37 is a great boat. The Legend 37 was produced starting in 1987. The 37's have a centerline queen berth in the aft cabin and a walk thru transom. We recently sold ours for about $45,000. Most people never get the inflated asking prices of $55-65K for these boats. Good luck and hope you find a good boat. Bill
We moved from a C30 to a Legend 37 13 years ago. The 37 is a great boat. The Legend 37 was produced starting in 1987. The 37's have a centerline queen berth in the aft cabin and a walk thru transom. We recently sold ours for about $45,000. Most people never get the inflated asking prices of $55-65K for these boats. Good luck and hope you find a good boat. Bill
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Chuck Curtis
Love mine, too
We have the 1982 version, has the cockpit traveler. It gets in the way of the companionway if we have the traveler midships, but we don't find that a serious problem. We sailed out of the Columbia River in September 1999 and headed for Mexico. We have had the boat down there since, as far south as Manzanillo, and call it home from October to April each year. Quite comfortable for my wife and I and our boat cat. After four seasons in Mexico I think I am in a position to give a credible "thumbs up" to the H37C. We have been through winds approaching 40 kts, several times in 30+ and find it a fine seakindly boat, easy to handle for two old farts (I'm 66 and my wife is 56). We've had to replace almost all the original ports. They are plastic and after 20 years they got a little tired. Most common problem was the tabs used to dog down the ports would break. But replacements are still available and it's not too much of a chore to replace them. Other than that we haven't had any real problems. I wish you well in finding one in good condition! Chuck
We have the 1982 version, has the cockpit traveler. It gets in the way of the companionway if we have the traveler midships, but we don't find that a serious problem. We sailed out of the Columbia River in September 1999 and headed for Mexico. We have had the boat down there since, as far south as Manzanillo, and call it home from October to April each year. Quite comfortable for my wife and I and our boat cat. After four seasons in Mexico I think I am in a position to give a credible "thumbs up" to the H37C. We have been through winds approaching 40 kts, several times in 30+ and find it a fine seakindly boat, easy to handle for two old farts (I'm 66 and my wife is 56). We've had to replace almost all the original ports. They are plastic and after 20 years they got a little tired. Most common problem was the tabs used to dog down the ports would break. But replacements are still available and it's not too much of a chore to replace them. Other than that we haven't had any real problems. I wish you well in finding one in good condition! Chuck
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Paul
Thanks everyone
Thanks for the input. I have just returned from our lake and located 2 37Cs. I have tried to contact the owners to see how they like their boats and possibly take a closer look a them. I have also found alot of info in the archives. Thanks for the tip also about the legend. Paul
Thanks for the input. I have just returned from our lake and located 2 37Cs. I have tried to contact the owners to see how they like their boats and possibly take a closer look a them. I have also found alot of info in the archives. Thanks for the tip also about the legend. Paul
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Bob Bashaw
Love my 37c
I have sailed my 37c extensively for the past 7 years... all in the channel islands area. The boat is seakindly and a great cruiser for my wife and myself. He have been in no less than three storms, with winds gusting over 40k. We have always felt safe. I am in my 60's and do a bit of single handling. The 37c is friedly for singlehandling.
I have sailed my 37c extensively for the past 7 years... all in the channel islands area. The boat is seakindly and a great cruiser for my wife and myself. He have been in no less than three storms, with winds gusting over 40k. We have always felt safe. I am in my 60's and do a bit of single handling. The 37c is friedly for singlehandling.
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D. Prior
Hunter 37 Cutter
I do not know where to start! I have a 1984 Hunter 37 Cutter. I bought it new in Houston but I am now in the Seattle area. I did not sail to Seattle, I sent it by truck. I can only say good things about the cutter rig and the boat in general. I have maintained the boat in almost new condition for the entire 20 years and I still love it. Once you have sailed a cutter you will never be happy with a sloop again. I mostly sail single handed which is relatively easy with a cutter rig. My longest trip was across the Gulf of Mexico (Galveston to Vera Cruz) which was 7 days out of sight of land. I would do it again tomorrow. I am seriously thinking of going to Hawaii next year. The boat is great but it is not a floating condo. It is more like a great camping experience rather than a condo but I like it. I have the original engine (Yanmar 3QMF)but I changed out the kerosene stove for propane one very quickly. Other than that I would recommend you check the holding tank and the stuffing box tube for leaks. It is a great boat. Go for it. Fair winds. Don
I do not know where to start! I have a 1984 Hunter 37 Cutter. I bought it new in Houston but I am now in the Seattle area. I did not sail to Seattle, I sent it by truck. I can only say good things about the cutter rig and the boat in general. I have maintained the boat in almost new condition for the entire 20 years and I still love it. Once you have sailed a cutter you will never be happy with a sloop again. I mostly sail single handed which is relatively easy with a cutter rig. My longest trip was across the Gulf of Mexico (Galveston to Vera Cruz) which was 7 days out of sight of land. I would do it again tomorrow. I am seriously thinking of going to Hawaii next year. The boat is great but it is not a floating condo. It is more like a great camping experience rather than a condo but I like it. I have the original engine (Yanmar 3QMF)but I changed out the kerosene stove for propane one very quickly. Other than that I would recommend you check the holding tank and the stuffing box tube for leaks. It is a great boat. Go for it. Fair winds. Don
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