C&C 37/40+ Buyer's Guide
Shopping the brokerage market for a used C&C 37/40 means choosing among a semi-custom Canadian racer-cruiser launched in 1988 and built between 1988 and 1994, with more than 100 examples constructed across the Plus, XL, and R models. These are not generic production boats: each model differed in keel style, mast height, rigging, and interior layout, and the same hull was later rebranded as the C&C 40 for the final two years without significant change. A used buyer is really selecting a sub-type as much as a single model, so the first task is to identify which of the three a given boat represents.
Layouts on the Used Market
The Plus version carries a full cruising interior with an aft cockpit and a two-stateroom layout, while the XL combines that cruising interior with a lighter hull, taller mast, and deeper keel than the R version. The R model is sleeker, with a Spartan interior, tall mast, big wheel, aluminum toerail, and reverse transom, having shed furniture and appliances to reduce weight. Across the Plus and XL you will find an L-shaped galley with dual-molded sinks, cupboard storage, icebox, freezer, and three-burner propane stove, plus a nav station aft to port roomy enough for electronics and a chart, queen-size berths in both staterooms, a private V-berth with starboard vanity and port hanging locker, and a separate shower stall. The bridgedeck keeps water out of the cabin at the cost of leg room, and the cozy cockpit snuggly seats six. Freshwater is carried at 86 gallons divided between three tanks, wastewater at 44 gallons.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the used market these boats commonly come fitted with radar, autopilot, chartplotter, hot water, heating, inverter, gennaker, spinnaker, and dodger. An asymmetric spinnaker, freezer, bimini, swim platform, and AIS are often seen. Less commonly, you may encounter air conditioning, solar, electric winches, EPIRB, or short-handed setup as owner upgrades. The original auxiliary was a Universal model 35 diesel, with later production offering a 29-horsepower Japanese 3YM30AE Yanmar diesel; the engine compartment is sound-proofed and reached via side panels and the hinged companionway door. Stainless stanchions, bow pulpit, stern rail, and coachroof grabrails support double lifelines.
What to Inspect
Some owners consider the cockpit too small, and deck crews sometimes complain the aluminum toerail creates discomfort despite its usefulness, with some critics contending the aluminum toerails are more apt to leak than a traditional rail. C&C installed matting under deck hardware to withstand compression loading, but some owners say the backing plates were skimpy or simply never installed, and some have removed and rebedded deck hardware where leaking and possible delamination of the balsa core was suspected. The bridgedeck’s safety benefit should be weighed against leg-room loss, and the reverse transom walk-through on some models checked for integrity.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats typically appear in Canada and the United States. A used 37/40 buyer should: confirm which sub-model (Plus, XL, R, or C&C 40) is offered; verify deck-hardware backing plates and toerail sealing; inspect balsa core for delamination near rebedded fittings; confirm engine type and compartment access; budget for electronics replacement after three decades; and join the C&C Sailboat Owners Group or C&C Sailors forums for model-specific survey advice.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the C&C 37/40+. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 6 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 25 | 2 | $ 81,620 | — |
| Sep 25 | 2 | $ 79,925 | -2.1% |
| Oct 25 | 5 | $ 62,500 | -21.8% |
| Jan 26 | 1 | $ 62,500 | 0.0% |
| Apr 26 | 5 | $ 63,981 | +2.4% |
| May 26 | 3 | $ 62,000 | -3.1% |
Where they're listed
C&C 37/40+ listings appear across 2 countries. United States has the most listings with 8 (53.3%), followed by Canada.
Country view
15 listings · 2 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $ 62,250 | 8 | 3 | 53.3% |
| Canada | $ 89,900 | 7 | 4 | 46.7% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.