The builder specifies a heavy hand laid GRP hull with clear gel coat underwater, and approximately six tons of cast iron ballast encapsulated inside the GRP keel to form an integral part of the structure. This construction underpins the boat’s reputation as a sturdy offshore motor sailer.
Design & Construction
The hull and deck are described as hand laid fibreglass construction with the deck incorporating balsa stiffening in horizontal areas and plywood in fills around fittings. Heavy double skin GRP bulwarks moulded integrally with the deck and capped with teak provide robust protection, while transverse marine plywood bulkheads bonded to hull and laminated to deck create an integrated unit. The keel is of iron with encapsulated ballast, and the rudder stock is stainless steel, reflecting a no-nonsense approach to structural integrity.
Rig & Handling
The manufacturer outlines a sloop rig as standard with a ketch option, the latter adding a mizzen and staysail; running rigging is pre-stretched Terylene with slab reefing mainsail. Later editorial notes that revised models built after 1986 delivered genuine performance under sail, following owner-inspired revisions that extended the rig with a bowsprit, raised mast height and added staysail. Deck equipment includes hydraulic steering from a teak wheel in the wheelhouse, with emergency tiller in cockpit, and a sound-proofed engine compartment housing the diesel engine on anti-vibration mounts per builder specifications.
Accommodations
The standard layout introduced with the bigger rig places the owner’s suite forward with heads and a large double cabin aft, while the saloon is spacious with an optional pilot berth and the galley described as huge.
The builder specifies a teak interior joinery throughout with a forecabin offering two full-length singles convertible to double, a quarter cabin to port with double berth, and a wheelhouse/deck saloon with slide-opening windows and a central steering console. Granite work surfaces in galley and toilet, pressurised hot water to fixtures, and LED lighting throughout complete the accommodation package.
Editorial records list berths within two cabins with a toilet facility, consistent with the described layouts and reflecting a practical cruising interior.
Ownership & Revisions
The Fisher 37 underwent owner-inspired revisions over time that some have interpreted as different marques, though Northshore does not recognise them as such. The manufacturer likewise reserves the right to make alterations without notice, meaning individual boats may vary in detail from published specifications. With around 140 hulls built, the design proved enduring, and its ultra-heavy displacement and long keel have supported bluewater cruising ambitions.
The Verdict
The Fisher 37 MS stands as a quintessential heavy-displacement motor sailer, blending rugged GRP construction with a teak-laden interior and a versatile rig. Her long keel and encapsulated ballast deliver reassuring stability, while later revisions brought credible sailing performance to complement the powering capability. For the cruising sailor seeking a substantial, shelter-in-wheelhouse design with ample accommodation, she remains a compelling if niche proposition.
Pros
- Heavy hand laid GRP hull with encapsulated iron ballast for structural integrity
- Long keel and ultra-heavy displacement offering comfort and capsize screening of 1.52
- Sloop or ketch rig options with extended sail plan on later models
- Spacious accommodation including owner’s suite, large double aft, huge galley and wheelhouse saloon
- Teak joinery, granite surfaces and LED lighting throughout
Cons
- Calculated maximum motoring speed of about 6.5 knots (per one source's estimate) limits brisk passage-making
- Builder reserves right to alter specifications, potentially causing individual variance
- Limited production run and owner-inspired revisions may complicate marque identification
