Hunter 50AC

OVERVIEW

Revamping the well-proven Hunter 49 hull, by putting on a wider and lower-profile deck in similar styling to the smaller yachts in the range, has produced the new 50AC along with a centre cockpit version.

However, the new deck continues Hunter’s traditional high cockpit coamings and signature stainless bimini, while a smoother streamlined topside profile gives this 50 footer a more modern overall look which matches the newer Hunter 33 and 39.

The Hunter is a proper escape capsule for the long-dreamed-of Asian voyage perhaps or island hopping through the vast Pacific archipelagos.

For serious cruising folk, a safe cockpit is a priority, invariably well protected by either a hard-top doghouse or strong spray dodger and bimini. The Hunter 50 comes with latter and fully encloses the moulded GRP cockpit, which is not overly big for a 50 footer.

Real teak trim is used, though the decks are fuss free in bare GRP but with enough grip. The twin binnacles are moulded as part of the cockpit, so are strong and allow plenty of space between the helms and behind for the steerer to move across. They share the Raymarine e120 widescreen plotter attached to the centre table while each binnacle has ST70 readouts.

The power controls are starboard and here, two joysticks control the Quickdock thrusters. Not as sophisticated as rivals Beneteau, the system is nevertheless effective. Also commendable are prominent compasses on each helm.

Transom access is via twin doors to the teak-clad sugar scoop lip and there’s a ladder for swimming. Above, a sturdy set of davits awaits your dinghy.
Sail handling is well thought out, with substantial Lewmar 54 primaries helmside while halyards are controlled by electric L46s on the cabin top.

Hunter’s trademark bimini traveller track is trimmed from either the cabin top or jammed on the side of stainless-steel bimini uprights. Similarly, all sheets and lines controlling the twin headsail cutter rig come back aft.

The sidedecks aren’t roomy as the strongly-supported B&R rig has inboard and outboard shrouds but good handholds and high guard rails do the job when going forward -- something you’d probably only do when dropping anchor. Alternatively, you can remain in the cockpit to use the Quick chain counter as well.

The pulpit is effectively laid out with double rollers and vertical windlass plus capstan from Quick. Usefully, there’s a deck wash for cleaning the rode; yet another commendable feature on the Hunter 50. Just behind is a deep sail locker, and along with the cockpit lockers ensures plenty of space for cruising gear such as gennakers, warp and fenders.

Finally, there’s requisite midship cleats and the topsides have the trademark Hunter rubbing strip -- maybe not pretty, but effective.

Taking centre stage in the saloon is the mahogany dinette table to starboard. Here, a slide-out bench allows seating for about eight or more while opposite the lounge is a simple bench but probably long enough to became a sea berth at a pinch.

Reflecting Hunter’s practical approach, stainless grab rails and poles abound so you can safely move around in a seaway and most usefully, in the galley.

For the chef, a Princess three-burner stove/oven with fairly large microwave should be sufficient. Perishable food is well taken care of for those contemplating remote voyaging thanks to the island bench area housing a Dometic fridge and chest freezer. Along with two front opening fridges, it gives a large volume for chilled food and drink.

White goods fitted included an Indesit 240V dryer in the stern cabin. This can run off the powerful 12kW Fischer Panda generator fitted. Also installed is a 12V water maker -- an HRO Seafari 170  producing 30 litres per hour, so showers can be enjoyed at leisure.

Another commendable area is the redesigned navigation station which has a large chart table and enough bulkhead space to house screens. The review boat was extensively equipped with Raymarine e90 plotter, AIS, VHF and alongside another blue-water perquisite, an HF radio (an Icom HF IC M802). This gear complemented the cockpit smarts -- a Raymarine ST70 package (four control heads, autopilot with control head and wireless remote control) along with large e120 plotter.

Powering all this equipment is no mean feat so the owner upgraded the 75hp motor to the larger 110hp Yanmar with accompanying bigger alternator. In addition, 240W solar panels were fitted on the bimini with a 45amp regulator. For stored power, three 200 amp AGM house batteries plus a 120 amp AGM starting battery were fitted.

As you’d expect on a fifty footer there’s plenty of accommodation. Available in three or four cabins, our review boat came with three which meant a spacious owner’s suite forward.

Wood cladding, an island bed and separate shower and toilet are features. Natural light and ventilation are well taken care of with large top hatches and redesigned portlights. Quality finishes included a leather bench seat, memory foam mattress, LED lighting and a high standard of joinery.

The only downside we found were the shoddy plastic drawer locks (see drawer hanging out in picture) which let down an otherwise quality area. Entertainment smarts are good as well with flat screen TV and hifi nestling on the bulkhead, with a Fusion system in the saloon. Also good is storage with under-bed drawers, twin wardrobes and shelves.

The aft cabins are fairly conventional for a fifty footer but they do have both longitudinal and athwartships double beds. Due to the deep cockpit, they do lack some headroom and suffer from shallow lockers because of the large washer-dryer installed. However further storage is available under the beds, beside the dual fuel tanks.

Ventilation is reasonable, via small opening hatches. Ablutions are shared beside the port bathroom, with electric head, which is spacious with the adjoining shower cubicle separated by a toughened glass door. The vanity cabinet is fine but would be more useful if its door dropped down to 90 degrees (instead of about 60), to allow occasional table space.

The Selden mast support is good with the inner shrouds connected to the internal hull frame and outboard shrouds on thick stainless chainplates while the compression post is integrated in the forward saloon bulkhead.

Our review boat was hull number 15, and constructed of solid FRP underwater with FRP/Balsa sandwich above; with integrated reinforced grid for strength plus Kevlar layered on impact sections, while the exterior is epoxy barrier coated.

Out of the same mould as the 49, hull shape has plenty of rocker and body underwater while the spade rudder looks sufficiently deep to hold her in tradewind downhill runs, always a tricky point of sail for heavily-laden cruising boats.

The keel is a winged bulbed design, intended to minimise draft while its high antimony lead construction maintains stability. A shallow draft version (1.68m) is an option for those gunkholing in places such as the Gippsland or Lake Macquarie.

I noticed a smooth standard of finish inside the hull with no untreated laminates. Other quality construction included the heavily built quadrant which was located high up the rudder shaft, easily accessible from the transom hatches. 

Accelerating out on the harbour -- a Gory folding prop with overdrive mechanism was fitted -- I reached 8.7 knots with 3000rpm showing on the digital Mas Technologies readout before throttling back to a more economical eight knots.

This was all done smoothly with no helm judder or undue engine noise. Off Bradleys Head my host for the day, Ed from distributor US Yachts, unfurled the mainsail -- a task that can be done from the mast or in the cockpit -- while at the helm I readied the primary sheets.

As we came onto the wind the staysail was set and we sped off in the 17 knot westerly.

Given the Hunter is a full blooded cruiser the steering setup is obviously not conducive to sitting out on the coamings and the enclosed bimini reduces views of the mainsail. But having said that, the large-diameter wheels and clear decks allows sufficient sight forward.

In this mode we reached a respectable 7.8 knots hard on the wind at 45 degrees. The gusts of about 20 knots revealed plenty of weather helm, but not unmanageable.

Adjusting the sail set brought the helm nicely into balance, allowing the yacht to nearly steer herself.

Tacking to avoid the toot from an oncoming Sydney Ferry was done quite nimbly for a big cruiser and the staysail ran across automatically, leaving me to trim the genoa from the helm.

As with nearly all in-mast systems, the cut of the mainsail required it to be tweaked, so we played around with Cunningham, vang and outhaul until we’d satisfied ourselves that it was doing its job. Easing the sheets we then ran off the wind, managing 5.9 knots at 120 degrees; all done while snug behind the big dodger and bimini.

VERDICT
The last word on the Hunter 50 is that it continues where its predecessor left off; a good thing because the result is a sensibly put together cruising boat that will take you comfortably to those far horizons.

Bavaria 50 -- The Farr designed 51 footer has twin-rudders for increased upwind performance and a voluminous hull containing up to five cabins with large transom swim area.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 509 --  Stylish hard-chined 2012 hull, self-tacking headsail and automated docking along with huge interior space makes the 509 a useful cruising boat.