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Review of the Hunter 27 Edge by Rick Waters

Year built 2010  
Location of boat Annapolis  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2013  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes.  
Gear that's been added No, but the boat came with every factory option imaginable. I literally can't find anything else to buy.  
Structural or complex improvements No. I've been amazed with the quality of systems installations on a 27 foot trailerable -- head with holding tank, pressure water, shore power with charger, flat screen integrated with Fusion stereo, etc. Nothing better than buying someone else's loaded boat a few years later, as the options amortize to zero, but they sure are fun! It was kind of a bummer not to have anything to buy for the boat, so i picked up a set of Hunter plates to give my boat kitty some purpose.  
The boat's best features I used to own a Macgregor 26X, and had several fun years sailing it on the Chesapeake and nearby waters. The Edge is a great example of you get what you pay for. While the Mac had its place, it was built to a price point, making it a tinkerer's dream but a weekend sailor's headache. After one not-particularly-severe storm on the Potomac River, we went to the dock only to discover a massive spider crack in the gelcoat around one of the fenders. The Edge has been a completely different experience. Build quality is far better, with the structure much stronger, finishing details equivalent to Hunter's larger keelboats, and engineering details (such as the retractable rudder) that make me understand why Glenn Henderson is such a legend in this business. It's a shame that Hunter discontinued the model, because it is far and away a better choice than the domestic alternatives, and sells for a third to half less than the one viable international competitor (the Odin/Imexus brand).  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The only minor quibbles I have are the absence of jib tracks (which probably dont matter unless you wanted to replace the standard jib with a larger sail), and the use of plywood in some areas where the ends are lacquered but exposed, such as the galley cabinets. But I'm hesitant to even mention the sailplan shortcomings, as the overall setup is far better than our old Mac. The boom has two built-in clutches for the outhaul and single reef point; the mainsail is a scaled-down version of a full-battened catamaran sail; the roller furler is in a class above the MacFurler that required hourly trips to the bow in our old boat, and the mast raising system -- complete with sturdy aluminum braces that guide the mast up and down - puts the Mac system to shame. (Please don't misunderstand this as an effort to bash the Mac -- i just hope the new Mac (Tattoo) owners have a less defensive response to the feedback than the previous owners did, as the 26 X/M design could have been a great one with a few hundred dollars' more fiberglass and some small but critical modifications.)  
Sailing characterisitcs For a hybrid, impressive. The top speed is around 5.5 knots, but the heavier displacement and water ballast make this a much more stable boat than the Mac. The plumb bow makes for a smooth ride.  
Motoring characterisitcs The 75 hp Etec is an engineering marvel, and more than adequate for the boat. (50hp would be too little in my view to get her on plane with a load, a key issue as this is how the ballast tanks are emptied.) That said, I'd frankly be more comfortable with a simpler outboard, as the Etec is a nightmare to service. Another key difference from the Mac is that roughly a quarter of the centerboard extends under the hull when fully retracted, improving low-speed maneuvering over the Mac.  
Liveability For a 27 footer, not bad. The head is fully functional, the galley small but adequate, and two full berths allow a choice of overnight options. The transom shower is a nice touch as well. (Still, it is a weekender, not a liveaboard...)  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Before I purchased, I emailed Hunter (now under David Marlow's ownership) with a technical question, partly to see how responsive they would be. Within 24 hours, i had a thoughtful response that required researching the full database of previous Edge production. It's a small thing, but this one email played a significant role in my purchase decision, as it gave me confidence Hunter has emerged from bankruptcy more than intact.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Advantage Yacht Sales, Newburyport, MA. Average experience, not as good as others report on this forum from dealers such as Norton Yacht Sales.  
Other comments I've spent long hours researching boats in this range, and Hunter makes some of the most competitive products for the price, period. Sadly, because of our upcoming deployment, I'll have to sell her at the end of next summer, but we will only look at Hunters when we return.  

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