By the time the C&C 37/40 was launched in 1988, the Canadian builder’s reputation for producing fast, sleek, solidly constructed boats was well established. Its chief designer, Robert Ball, was leading a team that had produced a series of successful boats to the satisfaction of both racers and cruisers, starting in the early 1970s.

Ball, now in his seventies, joined the C&C Yachts staff in Ontario in 1969 when he was assigned to designing masts and other equipment. He had previously contributed designs while still in school. By 1973, Ball had been named the company’s chief in-house designer, a position he held until 1990.

The C&C 37/40 had few detractors because the boat was sold in three models. The 37/40 Plus appealed to cruisers with its full array of creature comforts. The XL attracted cruising sailors looking for an extra-light boat with speed. And the R, as the letter suggests, was best suited for racers. 

Collectively more than 100 of the various models were constructed between 1988 and the final production run in 1994, shortly before a fire devastated the C&C production plant in Canada.

Founded in 1961 by mechanical engineer George Cuthbertson and aircraft designer George Cassian, C&C Yachts achieved rapid success and for more than three decades was celebrated for its innovative designs and construction techniques, including balsa-cored decks and hulls. Unlike a solid fiberglass hull, boats with core hulls and deck were lighter, faster and more maneuverable.  

The C&C 37/40 was preceded by Ball’s C&C 37 that dates back to 1981. Although C&C had intended for the 37/40 to replace the popular 37, plans changed during the pre-production phase. According to Ball, the masthead sloop was designed with a comfortable interior, after which its overall length was stretched to give the hull more grace and style. It proved a wise decision. The boat was rebranded as the C&C 40 for the last two years of production without making any significant changes to the overall design.

First impressions

First impressions of the 37/40 differs between the different models. The R model is sleeker and has a Spartan interior, tall mast, big wheel, aluminum toerail and reverse transom. The Plus model is perfect for cruising, with a gorgeous interior, comfortable seating, well-appointed galley with a three-burner stove and freezer, and exotic teak wood and mahogany warming the whole setting. The XL model is a mix of racing and cruising, with a tall mast, deep fin keel and generous interior. It’s both racer and cruiser, speedy and comfortable, but without the weight of the Plus model.

Construction

C&C faced financial difficulty in 1991, when production of the 37 was halted after hull No. 79. Production resumed in 1993 with hull No. 80. At that point, an attempt was made by the C&C marketing team to rebrand the boat as the C&C 40. The hull identification number was changed from 37 to 40 for boats built in 1993 and 1994, though the boat was not significantly modified.

Each of the three models had differences in keel style, mast height, rigging and interior layout. In that sense, they were semi-custom boats and were made with an aircraft-grade balsa core, Kevlar, a fiberglass fabric and vinylester resin. 

The XL model, produced from 1989 to 1994, was built using the racing version’s lighter hull and deck plan. As a result, the XL is 40% lighter than those boats in the Plus series, and its speed was boosted by adopting the R’s deep keel and taller mast with triple spreaders. 

The 37/40 is commonly fitted out with a fin keel, which makes it more maneuverable than a full-keel boat, but with less directional stability. The fin keel is accompanied by a spade-type rudder. The keel is made of lead, which has the advantage of being heavier than iron. That weight difference allows the builder to use a smaller keel, which has less water resistance.

What to look for

Among the first things potential buyers tend to focus on are the boat’s age—most boats are now more than 30 years old—and the balsa core. Current and previous owners suggest interested buyers hire a marine surveyor to take stock of the boat’s
overall condition. 

Bloggers on websites such as SailNet have plenty to say about the 37/40. 

“In my opinion, C&C made awesome boats,” wrote one sailor. “Some are better than others. The 37 is nice in that it has an aft cabin and is a fast boat that sails well. Though it’s not without its problems. Any cored boat that’s pushing 30 years old will have some core issues.”

Coming from a different perspective, another 37/40 owner noted “C&C used end-grain balsa in the correct way to stiffen and strengthen its boats. Properly taken care of, these hulls have the advantage of being cored.” He advised taking care with all through-hull fitting repairs or installations, and any other intrusions into the core, including those on deck or in the topsides. 

On deck

Some owners consider the cockpit of the 37/40 too small and, in some respects, it is.  The bridgedeck adds a measure of safety by keeping water out of the cabin, but takes up leg room, as does the binnacle helm and the stainless destroyer wheel. The wheel can range in diameter from 40 to 54 inches, based on boat model.

Six crew in the cockpit would be a squeeze, and it’s not easy to fully stretch out for a nap on deck if you’re taller than average.

Deck crews sometimes complain the boat’s aluminum toerail creates discomfort despite its usefulness, including providing easy movement of hardware. The rails can make hiking a challenge, or when serving as a seat for rail meat. Some critics contend the aluminum toerails are more apt to leak than a traditional rail, but no data is available to support that theory.

Depending on the model, the mainsheet and traveler will be found installed in different places. A traveler might be placed in front of  the steering pedestal, with primary winches at the rear of the cockpit. Such an arrangement allows the skipper to handle the trimming of all sails without being in the way of other passengers. The traveler may be found farther forward, on the bridgedeck or coachroof, depending on the rigging plan.

C&C installed matting under deck hardware mountings to withstand compression loading, though some owners say the backing plates were skimpy or simply never installed.

Overall, the 37/40 deck is clean and smartly designed to shed water. Winches are accessible to the helmsman. Transparent hatches provide light and air. The anchor plate is sturdy, as are the stanchions, bow pulpit and stern rails. The reverse transom helps give the boat its racy appearance and in some models incorporates a walk-through feature.

Down below

What things look like belowdecks depends on the model. The R model purposefully lacks lavish cruising comforts, shedding furniture and appliances while relying more on necessities in order to reduce weight. The R boats have a deep-draft fin keel slightly over eight feet in length. 

The Plus version has a full cruising interior with an aft cockpit and a two-stateroom layout—aft and forward. This boat has several keel options, including wing keel,  keel/centerboard and deep keel. 

The XL model is a combination of the cruising interior but with a lighter hull, taller mast, and a deeper keel than the R version. Additional berths can be created using the settees in the saloon. In general terms, the 37/40 is a comfortable boat, with its L-shaped galley and separate shower stall. The private V-berth stateroom has a starboard vanity with sink and hanging locker to port. 

The galley of the Plus and XL models feature dual-molded sinks, cupboard storage, icebox, freezer and a three-burner propane stove. The boat was designed to carry 86 gallons of freshwater divided between three tanks. 

 

The Plus and XL models include a nav station in the layout, sculpted furniture in the head, and queen-size berths in both staterooms. The nav station is aft to port and roomy enough to host electronics for navigation and communication, as well as to spread out a chart. A doorway aft of the nav station leads to the head, with a s

The wastewater tank holds 44 gallons.

Engine

The C&C 37/40 typically relies for auxiliary power on a Universal model 35 diesel engine. Later in the production cycle buyers were given the option of a 29-horsepower Japanese 3YM30AE Yanmar diesel.

The engine compartment is sound-proofed. It is easily accessible via side panels and by lifting the hinged door beneath the companionway. 

The fuel tank holds 44 gallons of diesel.

Underway

Owners have reported the 37/40 can handle heavy weather, which isn’t startling news since the boat was designed for offshore cruising.

“I think the R model is a great boat,” said one Michigan sailor who moved up from a C&C 34. “It can blow like hell and still feel very stable. And it’s very roomy down below.”

Conclusion

The C&C 37/40 is a proven racer-cruiser with a history of custom-build options that can tailor it to racers, cruisers, or to sailors seeking a bit of both.