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Review of the Hunter HC50 by John Moore

Year built 2002  
Location of boat Alameda,Ca.  
The boat is sailed on Open ocean  
How the boat is used Blue water, extended passages  
Normal wind strength 16-22 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2001  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Absolutely!  
Gear that's been added Yes, complete Raymarine ST80 system with complete redundance ie two GPS sources, radar plotters, autopilots. Spare real rudder, sea anchor, Galerider,Icom HAM, Icom SSB w spare outbacker antenna, Inmarsat C, Mini-M sat phone, Bose suround system, dive compressor, 10-6 Rib w/15hp ob, inflatable kiyak, aux engine w/20gph watermaker and 300Amp alternator, washer/dryer, air conditioning/heat unit, collision kit, abandon ship bag, medical, library, dutchman boom brake, three levels of bilge pump systems and a hammock.  
Structural or complex improvements Yes, added a 3 foot sugar scoop extention, added a 7 foot retractable bow sprit, added a watertight main bulkhead ( boat has a total of three watertight bulkheads now) added teak & holly sole, teak ceilings and a library area in main salon, eliminated saildirve and 40HP motor and had factory install a conventional shaft/strut prop with a 52HP Yanmar 4 cyl engine,added cabin top chocks for RIB tie down, added operable port lights in quarterberths,  
The boat's best features This is a high performance cruising boat that utilized the latest technology of open ocean race boats to the advantage of us cruisers. Because the boat is set up as a BOC class 2 boat it has all the features for singlehanding. My wife and I have overe 20,000 on this boat and for 95% of the distance we have very comfortably doublehanded.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The single line reefing has been hard to get down. I think if I were to spec the boat out again I'd have used the Harkin track cars.  
Sailing characterisitcs Sails like a dream, because of the flexible sail plan ie in light air we use the sprit with either a code zero or a all purpose spinaker, as the wind picks up we roll out the jib, as it builds we rollin the jib and out with the staysail, then reef the main as the wind continues to build, ultimately if still going to weather no main and just a orange slip over storm staysail. In the NARC rally from Newport to Bermuda in 2002 we were able to continue on in a Force 10 storm with 50 to 60 kn winds and 24ft SWH seas. The boat handled the storm great with only minor damage when we flew off a 40ft wave. See SAIL magazine article April 2003.  
Motoring characterisitcs She motors between 8.5 and 10 knots depending on her bottom cleanliness, sea state and fuel economy needs. Also, you look like a hero when berthing because she backs down so straight.  
Liveability It's a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house with a walkin shower, washer dryer, great galley, comfortable salon and library and large lazarette space and seperate engine room. Its perfect for two people, good for four and not liveable for more than 4 people unless some are little people.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) I have had several new boats. Never have I had a manufacture step up to the plate as Hunter has both during manufacturer process and after delivery. Hunter had a new vang strut to me in Bermuda in two days air freight at no cost. I had expected them to say, if you are stupid enough to get yourself into a Force 10 storm, you deserve to pay for your damages. They also took care of some interior furniture damage which also occurred during the storm. I can't say enough about their standing behind their product.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any I bought this boat from Don Durant of Cruising Specialist (now H&S Yachts) He and his company did everything I could ever expect of a dealer in representing my intrests both during fabrication and post delivery.  
Other comments Nope, its all above.  

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