Brown Searunner Cutter 37

Description

The Searunner 37 is a classic plywood folding trimaran sailboat designed by pioneering American multihull architect Jim Brown in the late 1960s. As the second largest in the Searunner series (behind the 40 ft model), it builds on earlier designs inspired by Arthur Piver's narrow-waisted hulls, introducing a centerboard for shallow draft, a center cockpit for safety, and a versatile cutter rig. Intended for blue water cruising, family adventures, or coastal passages by 4–6 crew, it offers exceptional stability, speed, and livability in a trailerable (when folded) package. Over 50 were built worldwide, mostly by amateur builders, earning praise for its outstanding safety record—13 of 47 surveyed multihulls outside U.S. waters were Browns, with the 37 noted for seaworthiness despite occasional hobby-horsing in waves. Developed amid the 1960s multihull revolution, the Searunner 37 addressed demands for larger, more comfortable trimarans while retaining plywood simplicity. Brown refined Piver's concepts with molded-chine hulls for reduced drag, folding amas (outer hulls) via crossbeams for easy storage (beam reduces from 22 ft to ~8 ft), and a tabernacle mast for trailering. The center cockpit enhances visibility and security in rough seas, while the interior features a V-berth forward, saloon with galley/settees, and double cabins in the amas. Construction emphasizes epoxy-sheathed plywood for durability, with options for kick-up rudders and self-tacking jib.