Mid 30s solid boat for great lakes?

[ChuckBuck]

Hey Folks,



Looking at a 1987 hunter legend 37.



1987 Hunter Legend 37 Sail New and Used Boats for Sale -



Couple questions:

-anything to look for with this boat? common issues?

-any feedback on the overall boat?

-any idea what the PERF would be? I will be using the boat mostly for day sails but would like to get out for 1 or 2 races per summer.

I'm comparing it against this catalina 36

1992 Catalina 36 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

Many Thanks in advance.


Chuck

[sailingfool]

From http://www.phrfne.org/page/handicapping/base_handicaps

HUNTER 37 132
CATALINA 36 138
CATALINA 36 TM 132
CATALINA 36 TM/WK 141
CATALINA 36 WK 147

So the performance looks strong, although in either model you want to avoid short keels/wind keels if you want good upwind performance. I do think the rating adjustments given for short/wing keels adequately allow for the lessened performance.


If you a looking for a solid boat, in you neighborhood, there would be a lot of CS 36Ts around, you are getting into the price range to afford one.
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/cs-yac...cs-yachts.html


EDIT: WOW,
HUNTER LEGEND 37 96
That makes this one fast 37...thank you ctl411

[ctl411]

The legend is listed at 96 on that page the 37 cutter is the 132.

[kwaltersmi]

I crewed aboard a Legend 37.5 wing keel for the Wednesday night races as well as during some longer coastal races and the 2008 Queen's Cup (Milwaukee to Grand Haven). The boat was competitive and sailed to her PHRF, in my experience. She was stiff and well balanced. I think it would be an ideal racer/cruiser for the Great Lakes, regardless of the keel. I was always impressed with the lively performance, helm feel and spacious, well-laid out cabin. It actually has better cabin space than the C36, IMO. The aft cabin and head in particular are very nicely done.

IIRC, the fin keel option was dropped on both boats when they went from Legend 35 to 35.5 and Legend 37 to 37.5. I would assume that means customers and Hunter were happy with the performance from the wing/bulb keel. This change occurred for the 1990 model year.

[-OvO-]

I think it would be an ideal racer/cruiser for the Great Lakes, regardless of the keel.

Could you elaborate on this a bit? Thanks.

[Faster]

Both boats would be highly 'liveable'.. good interiors, the Hunter ought to out perform the Catalina as noted above. We've only sailed on a Hunter 37.5, a later refinement of this one, and it felt good, moved smartly and seemed well behaved. The one negative might be the iron keel and the issues that go with that. The fractional rig is a plus in my view.. easier headsail handling.

OTOH the Catalina is legendary for good support, a strong owner's association and it is still one of the best mid 30s layouts, esp for a family. Catalinas will have lead keels too, that goes on the plus side of the ledger. This one is new enough for the transom walkthru so that's a wash.. Both wing keels too, so again a wash.

From pure aesthetics I think the Hunter is 'sexier' looking.... but to each their own. If you can get to the MKII Catalinas the 'look' was substantially updated, though interior changes were viewed by some as a backward step.

Price is similar so I'd say you need to spend some time aboard each and go with your gut (or your wife's ).