The boat measures 37 feet 3 inches overall, with a 12-foot-7 beam. Displacement is 15,000 pounds, including 5,400 pounds of lead ballast. Its wing keel, B&R fractional rig, and walk-through reverse transom place it firmly among late-1990s coastal cruisers rather than bluewater traditionalists.
Design and Construction
Below the waterline, the hull is solid hand-laid fiberglass with an anti-osmotic vinylester skin. Above the waterline, it has a balsa core. The deck is cored with marine-grade plywood except in solid load areas.
A tapered, 5.5-inch reinforced fiberglass rudderpost carries the spade rudder. The shrouds terminate at chainplates tied into the hull’s stress-spreading grid. This structure supports Hunter’s three-point standing-rigging arrangement, set at 120-degree intervals.
Hunter kept exterior teak to a minimum to reduce maintenance, while a conspicuous rub rail protects the hull from contact with docks and pilings. A wraparound deck skylight, nine screened opening hatches, seven screened opening ports, and seven fixed hull ports make the cabin bright and well ventilated without relying on teak trim.
Rig and Handling
By the time the 376 appeared, Hunter had become a leader in deck-stepped fractional rigs. This boat’s rig draws directly on a BOC-tested B&R design.
The shrouds lead aft through swept-back spreaders, eliminating the need for a permanent backstay. The sail plan includes a fully battened mainsail and a standard furling jib, along with a Dutchman flaking system.
The internally mounted spade rudder is controlled by a wheel. With an average PHRF rating of 150 and a range from 129 to 165, the 376 sits firmly in cruiser-racer territory rather than the out-and-out racer band.
Deck and Cockpit
The oval cockpit coaming widens to the gunwales at its broadest point. The cockpit opens aft to a stern platform for swimming, landing a dinghy, and showering outside.
A hinged helmsman’s seat and two pushpit corner seats provide cockpit seating. The user-friendly pedestal includes an inspection port and folding table. At the stemhead, the boat carries heavy-duty dual-anchor rollers.
Nine opening hatches and seven opening ports help keep the interior aired, while the wraparound skylight fills the saloon with daylight.
Accommodations
The master stateroom is aft beneath the cockpit. Forward, the second stateroom includes drawers, a vanity with a mirror and sink, and a bulkhead window opening into the saloon. All hanging lockers are lined with cedar.
The fully enclosed head is separate from its own shower stall. Near the companionway, the starboard galley has Corian counters, a three-burner propane stove with oven, two stainless-steel sinks, a heavily insulated dual icebox, and a microwave.
A teak-and-holly sole, indirect lighting, and a dinette that converts into a berth complete the living spaces.
Systems and Maintenance Access
A 36-horsepower Yanmar sits inside a well-insulated box that hinges upward on a pneumatic lift. The thru-hulls are labeled, backed, and easy to reach.
The bilge pump is mounted on a pull-up platform, giving direct access to both the pump and strainer. Inspection points in the cabin headliners provide access to the backs of thru-deck fittings.
Heavy-duty insulated cable runs through anti-chafe conduit, and the electrical panel includes a wiring diagram. Together, these details make owner maintenance markedly less opaque than on many contemporary boats.
The Verdict
The Hunter 376 is a thoughtfully specified 1990s cruiser. Its strengths lie in accessible systems, a bright and practical interior, and a rig concept proven in offshore testing. It’s less a stripped-down racer than a comfortable coastal voyager, with real attention paid to the owner’s later life with the boat.
Pros
- Shares its hull with the Hunter 386 and has B&R rig lineage from BOC testing
- Separate shower stall, cedar-lined lockers, and convertible dinette berth
- Pneumatic-lift engine box, pull-up bilge platform, and labeled thru-hulls ease servicing
- Minimal exterior teak reduces upkeep, while the rub rail helps protect against dock damage
Cons
- The wing keel and 150 PHRF rating mark it as a cruiser, not a light-air performer
- Production ran only from 1996 through 1998, limiting hull availability in any single year
