At last week's Annapolis sail show, Hunter Marine debuted the new flagship in its growing line of sailboats.
The 50 CC is built on the same hull as the company's successful 49 aft cockpit model, but with a dramatic new deck plan and interior that is designed to appeal to liveaboards and bluewater passagemakers.
Mad Mariner got a sneak peek at the boat the night before it left for Annapolis from a dock in St. Augustine, Florida. And from what we saw, the 50 CC will be an attractive choice for couples or small families looking for serious, long-term liveaboard comfort. Its upgraded master stateroom, larger galley and bright, open interior will raise the standard of living aboard.
HUNTER MARINEThe 50 CC's standard sloop rig has a sail area of 1,277 square feet. It can be configured as a cutter, with 1,316 square feet of sail.While sporting some innovations, this sailboat is undeniably a Hunter. The three-point B&R sailing rig, the stainless cockpit arch, wide side decks and wraparound-windshield styling on the coach-roof windows are all hallmarks of the Hunter keelboats.
While sharing the same tested hull as the 49, with its Kevlar armor and specially-designed structural grid reinforcements, the 50 CC moves the sailing cockpit forward and up, and uses dual curved steps to lead down to the transom. Back there, storage lockers abound (including a propane locker), and there is room to easily transition to waterborne activities.
The result is that, while the 49 has a single large gathering area in its aft cockpit, the 50 CC really has two different areas for crew to congregate. It's easy to imagine the adults enjoying a conversation in the cockpit while the kids swim and play farther aft.
HULL AND RIG
The new 50 CC has an overall length of 49 feet, 11 inches, with a waterline length of 43 feet, 10 inches. The beam, without rubrail, is 14 feet, 9 inches. As with other Hunter boats, there is an option for a shoal-draft keel or deep-draft keel. The shoal draft is 5 feet, 6 inches, while the deep draft is 7 feet.
Displacement varies, depending on whether a shoal keel is used. The shallower keel requires a bit more ballast – 12,500 pounds, instead of the 11,216 pounds on the deep-draft keel. Total displacement for the shoal-keel 50 CC is 36,945 pounds, and 35,661 pounds for the deep-keel boat.
The boat carries a standard fuel load of 162 gallons and 194 gallons of fresh water. Eliminating one of the two standard 38-gallon water heaters increases fuel capacity to 229 gallons. The 50 CC also has a 52-gallon holding tank.
The boat comes standard as a sloop, with a sail area of 1,277 square feet, though it can be configured as a cutter with 1,316 square feet of sail. The B&R rig carries a relatively large standard main sail and fractional jib. This rig is known for its ability to sheet the jib tightly for closer upwind sailing, while carrying a main with a bigger roach. The sharply swept-back spreaders obviate the need for a backstay, but do require some vigilance running downwind to ensure the main doesn't chafe.
The single steering station in the cockpit is on a pedestal, providing plenty of visibility, given that the boom is above the overhead arch and the mainsheet traveler is on the arch itself. The standard winches are directly at hand.
There's plenty of seating in the main cockpit area, and there are corner seats aft, bolted to the railings. Walking around the 50 CC is also easy and safe. The side decks are wide, and the standing rigging design keeps both the inner and outer stays out of the way. There are a total of 10 opening hatches on deck, all with screens, yet there's still room for the sun-seekers to stretch out.
DOWN BELOW
The steps in the centered main companionway are steep but sure-footed, and they curve gently to port, steering visitors away from the expanded galley to starboard. The 50 CC's interior is a surprisingly large, open and bright space – a function of both the beam and low sole – but also the daylight that streams in through the raised coach roof windows, which are larger on the 50 CC than on the 49. The natural (light) cherry finish adds to the effect.
