Hunter Mystery 35

[warrior40]

Can I have one please?
From the moment I heard about this boat, I knew it would be the best new boat to be designed for a long time, just what the doctor ordered for the UK boat buyer. Thank goodness Hunter & Stephen Jones have been brave enough to 'break he mould' in terms of modern yacht design parameters!
I have just read the PBO test report which I was eagerly awaiting, and she does look so good. Its a shame that the price is still (necessarrily) high, so she will not be able to compete with the foreign imports, but for anyone who wants a proper yacht that actually sails and can afford, well this looks to be the boat you have been waiting for all your life..
I hope, and I'm sure she will be a great success, thanks Peter Poland.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Twister_Ken]

Our very own JJ reviews her in YM (so much for the PBO exclusive!. Left hand, this is what the right is doing). I think he liked her, but there seemed to be a few minor quibbles which will probably be sorted as production gears up. I crawled all over her twice at Earls Court, and only had a few gripes.

The cockpit coamings should be capped with wood. The anchor locker was weedy and, I thought, unnecessary. The galley area was a smidgen too tight. The handsome tiller sweeps much of the after cockpit area, and I don't think it would be a good place to be during hard-over manouevering. And can I have lockers both sides of the saloon, rather than that tip-up pilot berth? Might be nice with the option of a self-tacking jib as well.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[david_e]

I understand what you mean by 'a proper yacht' but, surely if the demand was there then surely the mass producers would be making yachts this way. The price difference has to be in the low numbers and not the materials, so one can only assume that folk generally prefer other things.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[pkb]

I don't really understand what you mean by the term "proper yacht". I guess in asking the question I am in danger of sparking off another traditional versus contemporary debate where sentimentality seems to frown regardless on progress.

I hope for the business' sake it succeeds but boats like this are priced so far out of line with the market that it is hard to see how they can possibly succeed commercially. Westerly for example?

Peter

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[warrior40]

I agree about the price, but as far as the design goes, its sort of classic retro, ala the new mini and VW Beatle, don't you think?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Rich_F]

Proper Yacht?

I don't think that the dislike of modern yachts is anything about sentimentality. It's just that yachts were traditionally designed to sail well in a range of conditions, with the accomodation being a second priority.

The modern emphasis is generally the other way round, with accomodation driving the design. I guess it must be what the buyers go for - how much accomodation they can get for their cash - but I really don't understand it myself. I'd rather compromise on space (cosy is good ;-) in order to get a safe and comfortable sail.

Try comparing the Hunter to other "proper yachts", such as many of the Swedish ones. The price doesn't look so far out of line then.

Rich

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Jacket]

Having also crawled all over it at the LIBS I agree with all your comments (other than the self tacking jib- and coming from someone who owns a Twister as well!). I also thought that there was a lot of wasted space at the back of the cockpit, which could have been much better used.

However, my biggest gripe was the deck moulding. It somehow looked much too modern (and white) and I felt it rather ruined the looks of what would otherwise be a very good looking, traditionally styled boat.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[pkb]

No-one ever moved forward by looking backwards.

Interestingly the Beetle is flagging in the market probably because it echoed the old car too slavishly whereas the Mini is a rip roaring success because it has taken only a few design cues from the old Mini - ie the grill and the big round central dial on the dash - but really moved the rest of the vehicle forward in termns of design and technology. Its priced aggressively for what it is but just enough to make it an affordable "premium" product.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[pkb]

Re: Proper Yacht?

On your last point maybe not but the Swedes are entirely modern in their design approach delivering performance but with no compromise in terms of internal comfort and accomodation. They are also working on the basis of a significantly established international market position and good brand values and recognition. The Mystery is basically coming from nowhere and with compromised internal design and layout.

Peter

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Twister_Ken]

Mystery deck

Roger that on the deck moulding - it would look better moulded in an off white - maybe not so creamy as Island Packets, but going that way. And Treadmaster wouldn't look amiss. Of course a teak laid deck would be the thing.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[Twister_Ken]

>I don't really understand what you mean by the term "proper yacht".<

How about one that doesn't slam and doesn't broach? One that holds her course without constant helm tweaking? One that doesn't skid off to leeward as soon as she heels a bit? One with a decent AVS?

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[billmacfarlane]

She's got her good points but looking at that underwater profile she might be well balanced but I'll bet you can't leave the helm for long. Chuck Paine had a rule for his designs he called the 20/20 rule which meant that in 20 knots apparent wind the boat should be heeled no more than 20 degrees for comfort. She might give you a soft ride but at a fairly extreme angle. Before all you traditionalists go overboard have a look at some of the figures. The sail area/displacement ratio is nearly 20, which I think is excellent, but at 10,000 lb she's very light for her size. I like that too but she's a ton lighter that a French production boat.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Jacket]

A tonne lighter maybe, but on a shorter waterline. She's got a displacement/length ratio of 294. You're unlikely to find a French production boat with one much above 200.

And the problem with Chuck Paine's 20/20 rule is that you end up with a boat thats undercanvased in many conditions.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Twister_Ken]

Apparently she's also got a "metre boat style skeg" (whatever that is) to keep her tracking straight.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[billmacfarlane]

Very true. That's why I'm glad to see the boat carries a decent sail area/displacement ratio though I suspect at a cost - the cost being a boat that heels more. You pays your money you takes your choice.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Twister_Ken]

Yes, she heels well according to JJ, but with 50% ballast ratio (and that ballast 1.8 metres down), that's hardly cause for concern.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[Jacket]

PBO have got an exclusive. They'll be the only people reviewing a boat that hasn't been built! All the dimesions given, plus the interior layout drawing, are from an early Hunters press release. Since then, the boats been lengthened and the layout altered.

Getting the dimensions wrong is one thing- most of the mags seem to do it on a regular basis. But surely the tester noticed that the boat he tested looked nothing like that shown in the drawing?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Twister_Ken]

Ooops! nm

`

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[Twister_Ken]

Yachting World likes it too

Matt Sheehan didn't want to give it back.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[DeeGee]

Why do you think she will not slam? Surely, if she is fin-keeled, with a rel. flat bottom profile, then she will slam. Only wineglass profiles don't slam (e.g Twister!), but wineglass profiles are high drag and slower.

<hr width=100% size=1>Black Sugar - the sweetest of all