1995 Hunter 37.5 Questions

[737flyerdog]

I'm new to sailing. I live near San Diego and want a boat that is comfortable for the weekend overnights in the marina. Eventually some coastal cruising and the occasional trip to Catalina once my experience level is there. Not looking for something to sail to Hawaii. But I want something that is safe for me and my family, easy to sail and not a lot of problems. I seem to see a lot of negative responses about Hunters. The particular boat I'm looking at seems like it is in good shape and is set up nicely for weekend liveaboard. But again, don't know much about how Hunters sail and there safety record. I'm a professional pilot so just like flying, I'm well aware that a lot depends on the skippers expierence level as it relates to whether a boat is safe or not. I would never plan to sail in bad weather but just like flying, sometimes weather doesn't cooperate. I want to know that the boat can make it safely back to shore.

Any info on the Hunter would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thank you!

[Tkeeth]

My wife and I live on a 1997 Hunter 430, boat is built well and we take it on extended trips all the time. I also get alot of compliments from others. The issues you see on an old hunter are issues you see on other boats from the same era. Look up known issues for your exact boat and have someone look to ensure they have been addressed. My only real problems are 20 yo boat issues, and have nothing to do with Hunter.

[ctl411]

To find known issues go to Hunter owners.com
Lot of specific model info available.

[robert sailor]

Hunters tend to get beat up on forums but so do other boats built the same way. Facts are that for your purposes,if the boat has been well kept it might well be a great choice. Hunters do have some great layouts that make them good coastal cruisers. We have been cruising a number of years and have run into Hunters in many ports. Get a good survey and enjoy. They usually sail well in lighter air which would be a good fit for your area in Southern California.

[reed1v]

You can not go wrong with a Catalina. They were built for the So. Cal waters and make regular sailings to Hawaii.

[hamburking]

I owned a 1994 Hunter Legend 35.5.

GREAT Boat. Excellent sailing and comfort. Beautiful below. Never gave me any trouble. I always felt safe and in control. I wish I had never sold it.

Get the Hunter. You will NOT be disappointed!

[737flyerdog]

Thank you for the quick responses! Very insightful.

[Capt n Ron]

I also owned a 1993 37.5 and echo the same as the previous post, overall a great boat, great sailing boat, (won some silver) strong, easy to sail single handed, cruised it all over NC & SC no issues, just make sure if it has nor already been done to replace the aluminum holding tank.
I do believe the Hunter Legend series were the best boats Hunter ever built,
(now have the bigger brother the 40.5, and bought it based on my experiences with the 37.5, you won't (hopefully) regret it.
Happy sailing
Capt. Ron

[lunasee]

My brother bought a hunter last year. It turned out to have been grounded on it's winged keel and poorly repaired. When we hauled it out to paint, the keel was leaning to one side a couple of degrees. It had extensive cracking, the pedestal was shattered with nothing showing on the ourside or inside. We spent a month of yard time and about 7000$ in glass and epoxy to rebuild the keel pedestal.
After many days of grinding glass it's a job I will never volunteer for again. In my opinion there poorly designed for enything other than a weekend sailor.
Dan R

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by lunasee

My brother bought a hunter last year. It turned out to have been grounded on it's winged keel and poorly repaired. When we hauled it out to paint, the keel was leaning to one side a couple of degrees. It had extensive cracking, the pedestal was shattered with nothing showing on the ourside or inside. We spent a month of yard time and about 7000$ in glass and epoxy to rebuild the keel pedestal.
After many days of grinding glass it's a job I will never volunteer for again. In my opinion there poorly designed for enything other than a weekend sailor.
Dan R

A big rock hit at speed will damage any boat. I ran aground on a rock with my 1994 35.5 with winged keel...no damage other than some lost paint and a big dent in my ego.

You make a good case for getting a survey...but that's true for any boat.

[lunasee]

I do not think it is what you hit single much as how you hit it. It seems to have been bounced on the bottom in one wing, repeatedly as if run aground while under sail. The added leverage of the length of the wing created side torsion on the keel pedestal that it was poorly designed to withstand, and it shattered.
While rebuilding it we got a chance to see the thickness of the layup and I would have a hard time sleeping at night having built a boat with that lite of a layup in that area.
It was only the exceptional strength of remaining unbroken fibers that kept it from falling off.
We sailed the boat several months prior to hauling it out. It gives me the shudders every time I think of it.
Dan R

[TommmD]

I have a '95 35.5 that is both comfortable & a decent sailer. My wife's idea to trade up to it, & she enjoys it very much, which is the whole idea. The extra space from the 37.5 should add to it. Would I sail it to Hawaii? probably not. Its a great boat for a weeks vacation, no regrets.

[wavedancer19884]

Hunter 37.5 is a great boat !!! I owned one of the last 37.5's made and owned it for 13 years. It is a fantastic boat. Sails like a J-24, turns on a dime, and easy to back. I had the Dutchman for the mainsail and roller for the jib, real easy for sail control. As you know it has a great layout for weekend cruising, I wish my current boat had the aft stateroom, plus you can't find Teak woodwork was the best and you can't find it on newer boats at any price. Access to the engine was great to all four side.
My old 37.5 was on the market last year for 65k, with lots of upgrades. I should of bought her for a second boat.

[Capt n Ron]

I have owned 4 hunters from a 1977 27', that you could almost read a newspaper thru the hull, yes they were not the best built boat by a long shot and it was ok for an inland coastal cruiser and i think Hunters got their bad rap on these early built boats, and probably deservedly so 1980 33 better built that the earlier 27, then the 37.5 and and a huge improvement over the previous two boats I owned this boat for 16 years and vividly remember doing 7 knots when I hit the base or of a broken day mark(wondered where it went?) the boat shook severely, and scared the begeibers out of me and I just knew I had sustained some serious damage, but I was surprised when I hauled it out there was a dent and gouge in the leading edge of the starb'd wing keel after some grinding and epoxy patching it was good as new.
I also know of a 40.5 that sailed from Dan Diego thru the pacific and on to New Zealand or Australia, and while at anchor off one of the islands in the Pacific a whale tried to hijack the boat by fouling itself in the anchor rode, there was quite a bit of damage to the anchor roller, locker, and bow pulpit, but the owner did a great job of repairing same.
Just my 2 cents worth (again)
Capt. Ron

[Compass790]

Saw 1 in Papeete some years ago that had sailed from San Fran. Owners were quite happy with it but hadnt been in anything major stormwise.