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Originally Posted by dawndreamer
Practical Sailor reviewed the 49 ,,, as much more streamlined than many previous models ... significant strides toward easier maintenance.....taking great measures to ensure that this boat lives up to its bluewater billing ....moderate passagemaking potential with sufficient comfort, and relatively low maintenance ..."...
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DD
It's great you have a new Hunter lined up and that you are pleased with what you're buying. That is certainly the most important criteria for any new boat! And the best of luck with her.
But you have a long row to hoe if you want to personally turn around Hunter's reputation on a forum like this! Hunters have made somewhat crappy boats since day one, or seriously crappy depending on model, boats targeted at first time buyers, who are by definition, buyers who don't know boats.
Its good to see that Hunter may have improved some of their production processes and even added some solid design points to their new boats. So Hunters may not be as crappy as they used to be, but that is damning with faint praise. They certainly are very peculiar designs. To my personal eye, with the Clorox bottle styling and the oddball port shapes and locations, they look pretty ugly if not downright silly! You may be happy with a rig with no backstay, but I sure wouldn't want to be the one testing it offshore.
I cannot comment from current experience on their new boats - I guess because based on 35 years of sailboat ownership I avoid them like the plague - other than to observe that they are still seem to be bought by the same type of buyer, someone who has more money than expertise. You know that is true, because if they had a modicum of expertise, they'd pay a little more and at least get a Catalina.
How many times have you heard this dialog "Hey we started sailing and bought our first sailboat" "Whuddyaget?" " We bought a Hunter..."
As to the BOY award, unfortunately Cruising World seems to handle that award just like Motor Trend's Car of the Year - always given to a big advertiser, such as when Motor Trend gave that designation to the 1971 Chevy Vega. Doesn't mean anything at all. No matter how they may improve their production techniques, a Chevy remains a Chevy, and a Hunter a Hunter.
I guess to each their own, but if you want to evangelize here for your brand, you have to expect to hear some different perspectives. I hope I haven't been too frank.