Hunter Cherubini 37 - Thoughts ?

[dniello]

I am looking at the Hunter Cherubini 37 as a potential cruiser......ocean crossing cruiser. I know the newer Hunters dont have the best reputation, can does anyone have an opinion on the older Hunter Cherubini's???

Thanks,
Derrick

[Steve W]

try www.hunterowners.com. Many owners reviews. Post the question on their forum.

[dniello]

Thanks

[Meridian]

I believe the Cherubini is a different animal all together. Almost a "cult" boat...reputed to have better build-quality, better sea-keeping, better off-shore capabilities. Tankage seems small for off-shore work, but that's subjective.
2 friends each have one...they love them. Sail nicely, well-balanced. Seem to be priced right, also.
Just my $.02
John

[dniello]

Great info. Are there any Hunter Cherubini 37 owners out there that have crossed oceans. The boats from early 80's seem very well priced....almost to good to be true if it is indeed a quality boat?

[Steve W]

I have read the same things Meridian mentioned. Also, some owners have commented about engines being too small on some 37's (15-18hp?), cockpit is small for a 37, though better build quality reputation than most Hunter models.Check the support beam under the mast in the cabin top, some Hunters of that era are highly prone to rot due to water leaks and it is a big job the replace.

[dniello]

Nice, does anyone have one themselves or know someone personally who has ever owned one and sailed it?

[boatman61]

Hi....
Hunter Cherubini 37 cutter was what I had.... loved her to bits... sailed a dream.. took heavy weather including "Greenie Growlers" over the cabin top....
Sailed her from Oriental, NC to the Azores and then on to Poole, UK...
Hates.. plastic portlights which were kanckered and leaked, broke up when I tried to take them of to reseal... ended up slinging them and replacing with Lexan screwed onto the outside... non opening but then the heat does not bother me as much as it seems to many on here...
Sliding doors which broke free in heavy weather... ended up having to jam them with wooden wedges...
Loves.. Everything else.....
Just one thing.... if you buy her check out the bulkhead right forward which usually has a big cupboard hanging of it... mine was held in with 4 screws and popped when a big wave dumped on me... also the main bulkheads were tabbed in... with a 1-2 inch gap to the hull in places less accesable... it could have been a "Friday" boat.. or maybe thats what was normal but if its like mine put a couple more tabs in there... or better still... do the lot...
You'll have a great boat that sail on a breath, is fast and points well....
Get a Drifter with snuffer for downwind runs... drop the main and you'll fly

[dniello]

Thanks, great to hear from someone who has been on one. So you would recomend one as a good ocean cruising boat?

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by dniello

Thanks, great to hear from someone who has been on one. So you would recomend one as a good ocean cruising boat?

Yes I would .... but I should warn you that many consider me INSANE.... LMAO

Check out www.towndock.net. and search Phil and Moondance.... they did three articles on me....
Good for a laugh if nothing else...

[dniello]

Anyone else got any advice or thoughts on this particular boat????

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by dniello

Anyone else got any advice or thoughts on this particular boat????

Hahahahaha... the "INSANE" bit made you stop n think twice huh....

[slomotion]

Never crossed an ocean in one, but I have daysailed on a deep draft version (they came in shoal draft as well) in the Gulf. They are indeed fast in light winds (fastest cutter rig I’ve ever been on); they perform well at all points of sail; and they are easy to single hand as long as you don’t need to fool much with the inner foresail. In good condition, I think they would make an excellent Bahamas/Caribbean boat and probably well beyond. They are also old, so like all boats of this vintage you need to pay close attention not just to ports and hatches but also decks, tanks, wiring, etc. They have keel stepped masts, so I don’t think the Hunter problems with deck stepped masts/compression posts and leaks are as potentially serious.

I also think they are seriously pretty boats:

[swabbmob]

Derrick,
I second the comments about the plastic ports. If I were going offshore, I would replace mine - with the stock ports, which should last another 20 years. No need to purchase the newfoundmetals high dollar ones!

Our is fast as well - I'm not too competitive, which really irritates some of the more competitive guys when we easily sail past them.

[dniello]

Thanks for the comments