Built in 1968 and named
"Fancy Free 2", her original owner lived on Long Island. She
was off to
a rough start, though: the owner found considerable early deck
delamination
due to inadequate wetting of the cloth, and back to the Chris
Craft
factory
she went for a new deck in 1970. The new foam core deck has
held up
well with no
fiberglass problems.
In 1975 or so, she was back
to the boatyard for a major refit: The original interior and
the Atomic
Four engine were pulled out and a Volvo MD2B Diesel was
installed in
the
forward part of the cabin, just aft of the mast! The original
shaft log
was filled in as was the original propellor arpeture, and a
new shaft
log
was installed that exits from the keel. This must have taken
considerable
work as it required cutting a 2" hole through the iron keel.
Welded
steel engine mounts were fabricated and mounted to four of the
keel
bolts.
The interior was refit to
accommodate these extensive changes: new joinery to cover the
engine and
a new teak sole. My understanding is that the original owner
was a boat
carpenter on Long Island, and this was his first major custom
interior
project. Also that his success on this the custom interior
project
spawned his career as a major custom interior builder. I
understand that he sailed her to Portugal and back. I wish I
had
more details.
Bob Sundman of Connecticut
purchased her about 1982 and raced and cruised her out of
Stonington,
Ct.
in Long Island Sound for 12 years. He sold her to Steve
Aylward in 1994
who sold her to me in December 1994. I sail out of Marblehead
MA and
generally
spend a few weeks each summer sailing to Maine.
My initial improvements during the
first years were numerous: My survey showed the usual old boat
problems: worn cutless bearing, worn rudder bearing, rusty
lifelines,
some deck delamination caused by the
steel
backing plates. These were fixed and many other upgrades
done
including adding a custom anchor bowsprit.
After owning her for 8 years, we
decided to take a year off and sail Second Sojourn from
Maine to
the Bahamas via the ICW. Now it was time for some major
upgrades if we
were to live aboard and sail for a year. The aging Volvo
diesel needed
either a major rebuild or replacement. I chose replacement
since there
were fundamental issues with the Volvo. We had the rig checked
out and
replaced some fixed rigging as well as the aging Genoa. The
new Genoa
is a tri-radial, designed to perform well when reefed. On the
interior,
we added some cabinets, rebuilt the cooler, rebuilt the
electrical
panel. Other projects were a new sail cover. But despite all
the
improvements the boat is still a very stock 1968 Apache 37.
2022 Update: We have now had her
for 28 years, and enjoy day-sailing and Sailing to Maine for
August. She remains a joy to sail, handles rough conditions
beautifully, and I still enjoy the usual spring projects to
keep her in good shape. I built a dodger, replaced the main
and working jib, new roller furler and windlass. I did some
work on the rudder and of course the usual spring maintenance.
Back to
Apache
37
Page
Updated 12/22
The Apache 37 is one
of
several Sailboats designed by Sparkman-Stevens and made by
Chris-Craft.
I am in the process of restoring my 1968, named Second
Sojourn. Check
out
this site for discussion of Apache 37 improvements and issues,
register
on the list of owners, or simply chat about restoring older
boats. Apache 37
General Info: I
have spoken with many owners and people who have sailed Apache
37s.
Originally
designed as a 'gentlemen's racer' by Sparkman Stephens and
built at
various
yards, the Apache 37 is similar to many CCA rule boats. Her
low
freeboard
and racy sheer plus her gently sloped stepped cabin reminds
one of a
Cheoy
Lee, a Northeast 38, the older Bristol 34 or 35, even the
Alberg 35
or37.