Hunter 466/460 Winch location & single hand

[BSEACHAMP]

Hi all,
I'm looking at purchasing a H460/466 and there is a good chance I will be single handing this vessel.
I have 2 questions:
I'm concerned with the location of the primary winches, on the cabin top. I've never seen this winch location before and feel it would be difficult to single hand when having to run around the helm to get to winch and back.
When looking at these yachts online, seems very few have a asymmetrical spinnaker. How are these hunters at sailing down wind?

all feedback appreciated.
Thanks
Dean

 

[sail sfbay]

.........I'm looking at purchasing a H460/466 and there is a good chance I will be single handing this vessel. I have 2 questions:
1. I'm concerned with the location of the primary winches, on the cabin top. I've never seen this winch location before and feel it would be difficult to single hand when having to run around the helm to get to winch and back.
2. When looking at these yachts online, seems very few have a asymmetrical spinnaker. How are these hunters at sailing down wind?

1. Easy to single handle, especially if you have an autopilot. I love the winches on the cabin top of my Hunter 46, same as my Hunter 386, which I routinely sauled single handed and avoid lines in the cockpit.
2. My Hunter 46 has a spinnaker halyard so previous owner likely flew one. An asymmetrical spinnakers cannot sail as deep down wind as a symmetrical sail with a pole. However, they can be flown at higher angles of reaching and can make up for the lack of down wind capability with more reaching speed. I flew one on my Hunter 386 with same winch set up and top down furler that was deployed and doused from the cockpit, albeit it was a fractional rig vs. Hunter 46/460/466, which is masthead so might need to consider what you need to do clear the jib stay........maybe a tacker is all you need. Photos below of a 460 and 466 flying an asymmetrical spinnaker.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I'm concerned with the location of the primary winches, on the cabin top. I've never seen this winch location before and feel it would be difficult to single hand when having to run around the helm to get to winch and back.

Your perception is quite correct - It can be a major constraint adjusting the sails when you can't reach the lines while at the helm. It never made any sense to me to create that problem simply to get lines out of the cockpit. Relying on an autopilot while wandering up to cabin top winches doesn't make sail adjustments any easier or quicker nor is it even possible when maneuvering.
Fortunately, it isnt difficult to fix this flaw by moving the winches to where they belong.

 

[BSEACHAMP]

Hello,
Thanks So much for the information. Now I will feel comfortable looking for a H460/466.
they also seem to be a good design for a live aboard.
dean