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Review of the Hunter 37-cutter by Curtis Collins

Year built 1984  
Location of boat Lake Texoma, TX  
The boat is sailed on Lakes  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 16-22 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard?  
Owner bought the boat in 1995  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Absolutely. It's a well laid out cruising boat with great sailing characteristics.  
Gear that's been added Mostly replace/repair due to former owner's neglect of boat. New sails, running rigging, lots of caulking!  
Structural or complex improvements No.  
The boat's best features I sail on a wide variety of Yachts and am usually less impressed with their handling characteristics than I am with the 37 Cutter's. The sailing characteristics are great. Very stable and well balanced. I can often just apply a little friction to the wheel lock and then wander all over the boat while she holds a steady course. Well behaved in heavy winds. Easy to handle short/single-handed.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Holding tank leaks. Both myself and the surveyor let this one slip by -- new buyers should be sure and check this on the 37 as it is apparently a common problem.Damaged/worn bearings/fittings around rudder post cuased steering problems -- now repaired.Gate valves were used as original thru-hull valves. Gradually replacing them all.Original plastic port holes were a bad design idea. Replaced.  
Sailing characterisitcs See above. Plus: does not tend to want to round up in heavy gusts like many other performance oriented cruisers tend to do.Cutter rig provides lots of sail plan options, great sail plan for heavy air, easy to handle.  
Motoring characterisitcs Yanmar 30 is noisy and vibrates a lot at low RPMs (both in gear and out).Significant prop walk -- but this is due to the large 3 blade prop the former owner installed -- not an inate characteristic of boat. Modified fin keel (deep draft version) provides good tracking characteristics without adversely effecting turning radius and characteristics.  
Liveability Very comfortable and liveable layout. Large V-berth, state room fwd with separate shower and head area. Separate vanity/sink area makes the morning routine easier for two or more.I usually spend weekends aboard and have very comfortably spent multiple weeks aboard.Kerosene stove is a bit tempermental. Plan further maintenance to try and improve and will probably replace with propane eventually.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Have not dealt directly with Hunter.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Very good. Bob Sittel (sp?) of Grandppapy Point marina did an excellent job of handling the sale.(You can mail me that check now Bob! :) )  
Other comments  

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