New Hunter model announced; aimed at Mac 26X/M

[Phil Herring]

This just in from Hunter Marine -- literally. A new model called the theEdge, a 27' trailerable clearly aimed at the Macgregor 26M and X.It appears to have an Evinrude 75 strapped to the transom with a top speed under power of ~20mph! Press release follows, photos linked at the bottom:Alachua, FL (June 10th, 2008) Company officials today announced the launching of their newest model, theEDGE. This new boat is both a powerboat and a sailboat, appropriately named for its cutting edge in engineering; for its leading edge performance; and its ability to transgress the edge between sailing and power boating. Hunter Marine’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, John Peterson states, “Hunter has created a boat to cater to both motor boaters and sailors alike. theEDGE is the perfect solution for motor boaters who want to try sailing and for families who cannot agree on what type of boating is best for them at this stage of their lives. theEDGE gets people out on the water, having fun, and enjoying boating at a remarkable introductory price.” theEDGE comes equipped with everything needed to sail away from the dock and has an additional premium option package modeled after the Hunter Mariner Packages that will upgrade theEDGE into a mini cruiser. The spacious interior, 8’2” wide with 5’11” head room, has plenty of ventilation and natural light that makes it comfortable even on the warmest of days. Other highlights of the features on theEDGE An oversized, double hinged Easy Entry sea hood that makes transiting below deck a snap. No more bumped heads! Open it halfway and converse with the crew below, or all the way to take advantage of the cool breeze. Constructed to be sturdy and low maintenance the Easy Entry sea hood is one of the engineering marvels.The uniquely designed hybrid hull, at a length of 28’6” with motor, is large enough to have a cabin with all the amenities of comfortable cruising with the convenience and safety of positive flotation and trailer-ability.The aft of the hull is 8’4” and allows it to be responsive in turns and provides stiffness while sailing. The water line length is 24’2” and the draft is only slightly over a foot. The dimensions will not only allow theEDGE to be trailered, with a total towing weight of less than 5,000 pounds with the standard aluminum trailer and optional 50HP engine; but will also allow it to handle up to a 75 HP motor. Evinrude’s test results from 5/20/08 reveal a top sustainable speed of 19.9 MPH (reference #PE629 engine#E75DSLSCS)theEDGE utilizes a kick-up center board and single-lifting rudder that retracts when sailing and almost disappears when motoring. At high motoring speeds, through this design, we have eliminated the drag of the centerboard and rudder. Hunter has teamed up with Evinrude to provide an engine, the new E-TEC that is lightweight, fuel efficient, and has the torque and horsepower to drive the motorboat side of theEDGE. The enhanced features of the E-TEC give a longer range and a faster acceleration to plane. This is the recommended engine; however, theEDGE will accept most engines available on the market today.With over 330 square feet of standard sail area and almost a ton of ballast theEDGE has the power and stability to sail in most conditions. Biggest feature is fun with standard hook-up for tow ropes for skiing, wakeboarding or tubing and sails for sailing.  .Designed by the Hunter engineering team utilizing the experience of the Luhrs Marine Group powerboat engineers; theEDGE will provide our customers with a versatile, easy to sail, easy to motor, comfortable, and environmentally friendly boat. After testing theEDGE Glenn Henderson, Hunter’s Director of Engineering, remarked, “The performance of this boat is unbelievable. I have been fortunate enough to have the experience of trying out many ‘new’ boat styles through the years; and although I was skeptical at first, this boat amazed me. The design, distinct from all existing designs, includes a hull shape that is stable, safe and a blast to sail. The cockpit is extremely comfortable, and the deck systems are easy to use. Other features, such as the single VARA rudder, fathead mainsail, and the multi-morph hull, also contribute to the enhanced performance. This boat is easy to use and I believe many people will enjoy their time in it.”  Peterson closed out the introduction by stating, “One of the most versatile features of theEDGE is its adaptability to all boating situations. The boat will give the sailor an increased range to get to those breezy sailing grounds quick enough to enjoy them. Whether it is down a long river, through a channel, wakeboarding, or just a fast cruise to the next harbor, theEDGE’s motoring ability will get you there fast. It is just plain fun to operate and be on. If you ever wanted or wondered about owning a boat you owe it to yourself to check theEDGE out.” theEDGE will be available at selected Hunter dealerships late this summer with a national introduction at the majority of the fall boat shows.http://www.hunterowners.com/images/edge/Day-1185.jpghttp://www.hunterowners.com/images/edge/Day-1310.jpghttp://www.hunterowners.com/images/edge/IMG_2388.jpghttp://www.hunterowners.com/images/edge/Interior007.jpghttp://www.hunterowners.com/images/edge/SpecList.dochttp://www.hunterowners.com/images/edge/specs.pdf

 

[Benny]

I thought Hunter was getting away from water ballast

because of liability issues. If they have solved some of the problems good for them but I'm not interested.

 

[JohnnyMac]

Saw one at Put-In-Bay

It was red hulled and had a 27X in 2' white letters on the side. It was definitely a WOW!

 

[Mike Davis]

Interesting

But too ugly for me to even consider.

 

[Ed Schenck]

To JohhnyMac, NOT an H27X

The red 27X is not the same boat. The boat that you saw is from my old marina and Hunter dealer, Harbor North in Huron. That is a tricked up Hunter 27 meant for racing. In no way was it built for a big outboard to plane and pull skiers. It has a fixed keel and over five feet of draft.

 

[frustrated sailor]

How about that water ballast?

I noticed the comment by Benny referencing the problem ballast tank. Does anyone have any information on the H260 ballast tank, specifically the tank leaking? Benny from Tampa, please write or reply if you have any specific information. I'm little wet from mine.

 

[Chuck15486]

press release

My local Hunter dealer (RCR Yachts) had this link to the Hunter press release.

 

[Phil Herring]

WB... that was my fault

I thought I read it has water ballast, but upon a second read it does not say that specifically. I deleted that from my comments until it's confirmed one way or the other.

 

[Greg]

27 at Put-In-Bay

Johnny Mac, The boat the you saw in your old marina was a Hunter 27X which is a production 27 that Hunter added a performance keel, rudder and rig w/sails to as a boat that can be raced. The boat that you saw recently one the Mills Trophy Race. The Hunter dealer in Ohio raced the boat along with several other crew. There were 73 boats in the PHRF division and 143 boats overall. There were a couple of Melges 32's, a Farr 40. a Frers 50, a J120, a Melges 30, Soveral 33's, Schock 35's and some others. The Hunter 27X won the overall victory in the PHRF division logging a one point 11 knots and averaging 7.5 knots over 35 nautical miles that they completed in 4 hrs & 40 minutes. The Hunter 27 Edge is a different boat altogether.

 

[George]

H260 Ballast Tank

There has been at least one confirmed report of a leaking ballast tank to probably the last H260 produced. It was repaired under warranty. Best I can tell this is a very rare occurrence - in virtually all cases, leaks in this boat are due to an unplugged vent hole or other cause. For more information on H260 leaks go to this link:http://h260.com/leaks/H260_leaks.html

 

[Jack W -2005 H 36]

Water ballast

Phil,The link you supplied reads water ballast.You were right the first time.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Comparison of the Power Sailors

When I became aware of the new Powersailor by Hunter last year, I approached Hunter about representing this boat. Yes, I did approach them. I had the opportunity to view the new powersailor 27 yesterday as Patrick Turner who is touring the east coast with the boat stopped by my dealership.First, let me state that I am a sailboat dealer and to be blunt, I feel I know my trailerable sailboats over many. I did sell the MacGregor 26X in the past and took a MacGregor 26M in trade recently. Last year, I also had the opportunity to see the Odin 820 manufactured by IMUS. In addition, Imus has a new 29 footer. Therefore, I will tell you what I have seen. Remember with all three companies, when you design a plainning hull with a displacement hull, you do compromise speed and sail. If done correctly, this could turn out to be good.The MacGregor 26X and 26M are built with a narrow beam so they can be shipped in a container to save on freight. Thus the beams and height are not as wide and high respectively. The boat costs less which to some, it is a price point which shipping the boat inside a container helps to keep the costs down. Therefore you sacrifice room inside and out. MacGregor is the least expensive of all three. Regarding the Odin 820 which I reviewed last year, it appeared to be well built but there were a few issues that concerned me. There is no dealer network in the United States maybe for 1 or 2, thus warranty issues might be a problem. The dealer will need to keep on hand replacement parts for example, mast, boom, rudder, centerboard, stanchion, etc. as this sailboat is made in Poland and there will be a time delay if replacement parts are not kept inhouse not to mention the freight and import issues. I would make sure that there is a U S liability insurance policy for my own purpose on any boat too. As for the trailer, the channels were smaller but enclosed and if water ever migrated into those channels and sat, corrison. The trailer frame did not come with axles, tires, brakes and so forth. In many states, putting the axles on with brakes and so forth, you would be deemed a manufacturer and this in itselfs posses many issues for the dealer. That is something I would not want to be involved with. I had another US trailer manufacturer give me a quote. Then there was the cost which to many would be out of reach for them. In fact, I never did get a concise dealer cost or I simply did not understand coming from two sources. Now for Hunter. Hunter is part of Luhrs Corporation who builds power boats, thus, help on design from the power end came from the corporation to Hunter from what I gathered. It is very easy to step up into the cockpit from the ground. Mast raise system is a standard with this boat which is very important that one person can handle. Looking at the aluminum trailer that the boat sat on, the water line is very low, thus launching and retrieving will be easy. Raising the mainsail has to be done at the mast as the main halyard is not led aft to the cockpit but I have suggested to Hunter to reconsider this going back to make this a truely trailerable sailboat.As for the room, I was pleasantly surprised at the enterior as it is spacious compared to MacGregor and Odin/Imus. I felt the cockpit was larger than the MacGregor but maybe the same as the Odin/Imus but the stern rail seats on the Hunter offer allot. The Hunter PS 27 had the new Evinrude 75 hp with etech technology and my understanding that Evinrude has done a nice job with that. The boat is also offered in 50 hp but the dealerships can put on their own motors should that dealership elect to do so as some folks may not want that powerful engine. If so, then a smaller 10-20 hp might work but speed on the power side will be affected. It will depend on the options as to how much one will pay. Yes it costs more than MacGregor but allot less than Odin/Imus. I did like the idea of allot of light inside which many women will like. Per Patrick with the 75 hp engine, he was doing 22 miles per hour with four people on the boat and little less with a 50 hp. As for turning under power, that was addressed as that had been an issue with other designs in the past with the back end scooting out. Overall, I was impressed and from me, that is saying allot. Take a good look at the Hunter Pwersailor 27 "Edge" as it will fill allot of dreams and desires at an affordable price

 

[John Nantz]

Why didn't they call it a LUHRS powersailor?

My personal feeling is that for real sailors there is a huge stigma associated with the MacGregor-type of boat and to attach the Hunter name to this boat, which is very similar in concept, doesn't do anything for the Hunter reputation.The 27X that gs mentioned, on the other hand, would be a plus. BUT not enough to cancel out the new negative!!!Wonder how sales of the Hunter sailboat line will do going forward now that they have this new powersailor in the line? There is such a thing as guilt by association.

 

[newly anonymous]

Amen!

Guilt by association, indeed. Every time Hunter takes a couple steps forward to improve the reputation of their product line, they end up taking a giant leap back.Let's hope the life expectancy of this goofy idea is as short-lived as was the fiberglass arch. Meanwhile, the question of whether Hunters are really bluewater boats will probably be asked even more frequently in the future. Sheesh.