Hunton ... Sad News
- Thread starter LAMBADA
- Start date
LAMBADA
Well-Known Member
So here is why I think Hunton will be sorely missed.
I guess I'm in the minority but after many years of doing the Princess hard top caravan route I craved a return to open, fast cruising. I tried an XRS37 but faced with threatened Divorce changed that for an RS43. Now it's getting on a bit (2007 model) I want to change to similar size/style but newer and I'm really struggling to find anything similar. Contrary to any comments here ,build quality is superb (much better to any of my previous Princess's and not a ripple in sight), 50 knot performance, reasonable accommodation including separate double berth, full canopy (absolute necessity in the UK), fantastic looks (subjective I know but judging by constant positive comments I can't be alone in thinking this).
So what else should I look at that ticks all these boxes? I have considered the following: itama (too slow), Performance marine (lack of accomadation), windy Cimera (too expensive and not pretty), Sarnico Spider (again too slow), Sunseeker Superhawk 43 (no separate bedroom). Most of the American stuff hard to come by in the UK and none seem to tick all boxes (although I do love some of the Formula's having owned a couple in the past). Top of the list at present is Baia Flash 48 but any other suggestions welcome.
I guess I'm in the minority but after many years of doing the Princess hard top caravan route I craved a return to open, fast cruising. I tried an XRS37 but faced with threatened Divorce changed that for an RS43. Now it's getting on a bit (2007 model) I want to change to similar size/style but newer and I'm really struggling to find anything similar. Contrary to any comments here ,build quality is superb (much better to any of my previous Princess's and not a ripple in sight), 50 knot performance, reasonable accommodation including separate double berth, full canopy (absolute necessity in the UK), fantastic looks (subjective I know but judging by constant positive comments I can't be alone in thinking this).
So what else should I look at that ticks all these boxes? I have considered the following: itama (too slow), Performance marine (lack of accomadation), windy Cimera (too expensive and not pretty), Sarnico Spider (again too slow), Sunseeker Superhawk 43 (no separate bedroom). Most of the American stuff hard to come by in the UK and none seem to tick all boxes (although I do love some of the Formula's having owned a couple in the past). Top of the list at present is Baia Flash 48 but any other suggestions welcome.
MapisM
Well-Known Member
A clear cut case of a post "wortheless without pics" (and detailed specs!), if I've ever seen one!
MapisM
Well-Known Member
Be patient.
Portofino will soon explain you that even if he can't do 50 knots, he can make rings around your Hunton, whenever the going gets a bit rough....
hunton69
Active Member
Thanks for the reply.
You only have to google Hunton 43 for a picture of one
You only have to google Hunton 43 for a picture of one
LAMBADA
Well-Known Member
Thought that might provoke a reaction, can't wait.
MapisM
Well-Known Member
Well, I understood that yours is special - if nothing else, at her back end...
And I have a soft spot for high performance boat, so I'm always genuinely interested to see one - particularly when there's a possibility to hear about her from the horse's mouth, so to speak.
Oh, and wasn't it clear that my comment on Itama was made in jest...
Portofino
Well-Known Member
I think for the UK , the stuff I posted and has been re posted about use of a Hunton in the Med ,does not really apply .
Itama s are opens nor really designed for N EU all the attributes they excel at imho ,you don,t need .
The older Amarti like mine 700 Hp in 13/14 M are fast enough for the Admiral ,and more importantly smooth enough with its 23 degree deadrise .The newer if inunderstood your post ? - the 45 is slower. - 450 / 480 Hp - and lighter ( Ferretti changes the build process ) with a lower deadrise .
The newer 62 £ 1.8 M and 75 £3 .3 M are fast like the old ones 42 knots and 46 @ WOT
So you are right to feel a modern 45 is too slow .
For you , from what we know from the criteria, you posted
Baia flash 48 with Arnesons ,( they did a few shafts ) ---but they are big ( mooring fees,s etc ) , high gloss cherry interiors , Volvo penta 480 Hp , cruise is low to mid 30 thirties ,seems a lot of hassle to run the Arnies, for little gain .
I looked at Fountain 48 , that's an Arnesons 40 knot cruiser , again 7 L engines from memory -- hassle importing .
Another one -- Donzi 43 was on my radar , same Med usage comprises as the Hunton and import hassle , and petrols .
You are on an 07 ,so presume going a couple steps up to a Pershing 50 HT on Arnies 40 knot cruise boat is too much £££ , and again ,bring one back from Italy hassle ?
Have a look @ Otam 40 , think it's two cabins on Arnies --- but import hassle again and again not designed for N EU waters .magmun 50 -- again Med boat open on Arnies
It,s all a compromise ,if you are adamant of the open feel ,and speed ,then maybe the Solent is the wrong place for a 40-50 ftr 40 knot + open cruiser .
In the Med there's more choice ,but will use it differently as outlined in my view in your post # 141 ^^^
Hope this helps
Itama s are opens nor really designed for N EU all the attributes they excel at imho ,you don,t need .
The older Amarti like mine 700 Hp in 13/14 M are fast enough for the Admiral ,and more importantly smooth enough with its 23 degree deadrise .The newer if inunderstood your post ? - the 45 is slower. - 450 / 480 Hp - and lighter ( Ferretti changes the build process ) with a lower deadrise .
The newer 62 £ 1.8 M and 75 £3 .3 M are fast like the old ones 42 knots and 46 @ WOT
So you are right to feel a modern 45 is too slow .
For you , from what we know from the criteria, you posted
Baia flash 48 with Arnesons ,( they did a few shafts ) ---but they are big ( mooring fees,s etc ) , high gloss cherry interiors , Volvo penta 480 Hp , cruise is low to mid 30 thirties ,seems a lot of hassle to run the Arnies, for little gain .
I looked at Fountain 48 , that's an Arnesons 40 knot cruiser , again 7 L engines from memory -- hassle importing .
Another one -- Donzi 43 was on my radar , same Med usage comprises as the Hunton and import hassle , and petrols .
You are on an 07 ,so presume going a couple steps up to a Pershing 50 HT on Arnies 40 knot cruise boat is too much £££ , and again ,bring one back from Italy hassle ?
Have a look @ Otam 40 , think it's two cabins on Arnies --- but import hassle again and again not designed for N EU waters .magmun 50 -- again Med boat open on Arnies
It,s all a compromise ,if you are adamant of the open feel ,and speed ,then maybe the Solent is the wrong place for a 40-50 ftr 40 knot + open cruiser .
In the Med there's more choice ,but will use it differently as outlined in my view in your post # 141 ^^^
Hope this helps
PowerYachtBlog
Well-Known Member
Just some corrections here Portofino. Hope you do not get offended.
Itama just launched a new 45S with Cummins 550hp QSB6.7. Still the same as the previous 45 but now has more HP with a couple more knots 36 knots top speed.
Baia 48 Flash is okay with Tamd74 or 75 but you should get it with (2005 onwards) D9s 575hp (top speed of 44 knots and a nice cruise of mid thirties) which give the best power to weight ratio.
Later models had also lighter maple wood interiors.
AFAIK they never did any 48 Flash with shafts and only offered it on listing for the first two years. The hull of the 48 Flash is that of the B43 launched in 1990 and then became the 46 Bimini in 1996, extended a bit at the back to accommodate bigger engines. The biggest engine on the 48 Flash was the Cats 669hp which did 48 knots max.
Otam model is the 45 Heritage not 40.
FYI Baia is currently closed, but there is a news that it should open again in the coming year.
Portofino
Well-Known Member
Thx PYB ,no offence , :encouragement: it's been 3 y now since I got the Itama ,so 4 y since I looked @ them all .
I think I saw a shaft ,flash 48. But it the high gloss put the Admiral off . memory fades .
Any how coming from sterndrives , and "watching " the maintenance regimes in the yards I did not want Arnies .
But appreciate if you want a 40-50 ftr that's really fast -- imho cruise all day over 40 knots then Arnies are the way to go .
I think I saw a shaft ,flash 48. But it the high gloss put the Admiral off . memory fades .
Any how coming from sterndrives , and "watching " the maintenance regimes in the yards I did not want Arnies .
But appreciate if you want a 40-50 ftr that's really fast -- imho cruise all day over 40 knots then Arnies are the way to go .
LAMBADA
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the reply's and advice. There really doesn't seem much choice in the type of boat I'm looking for as everything seems to have gone hard top and slower. I'm not totally against hard top but would really miss the pace of the Hunton. I've considered Windy 44 Chanook (44 knots) and even looked at Baia 54. My boating is around North Wales so really need the full canopy and I know hard top would be more suited. Last year managed to do England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales (with a brief stop on Isle of Man) in one week so sea keeping is important. Sunseeker were planning to revive the Superhawk range which looked good but they have shelved that for now.
MapisM
Well-Known Member
How recently did you get in touch with the yard, W?
Just FYI, back in Feb this year, while I was evaluating a 60Y (the only f/b they ever built, afaik), I rang the factory and they confirmed that they would have been available for any refitting job I could have been interested in.
Can't remember the name of the chap I spoke with over the phone, but according to him they were also rather busy with these kind of works.
I didn't ask if they were also building new boats, though - maybe not.
hunton69
Active Member
Lambada I'm not sure your going to find a replacment for your 43 that performs any better. American muscle boats have little accomodation and all the new stuff are to wide for a good ride
Have you thought of refreshing your 43
Have you thought of refreshing your 43
Portofino
Well-Known Member
I did not see the " Wirral " or realise where you are .
Two airports nearby and SoF less than a 2 hr fgt
How about move the Hunton to the SoF ? Even for a short while to try it .
But mainly cos in the Med in the season your choice opens up for " opens " and you can do some serious research looking .
Two airports nearby and SoF less than a 2 hr fgt
How about move the Hunton to the SoF ? Even for a short while to try it .
But mainly cos in the Med in the season your choice opens up for " opens " and you can do some serious research looking .
PowerYachtBlog
Well-Known Member
Its possible they can do this. Will send you a PM about the other.
LAMBADA
Well-Known Member
I think you are right there isn't an obvious replacement. I have refreshed the RS43, nice new grey Silvertex cockpit upholstery (you can see it on Martin's website). I considered a newer XRS43 but wife prefers the enclosed forward cabin and extra storage space on the RS.
LAMBADA
Well-Known Member
Tempting as it is, we only live 50 mins away from the boat and enjoy lots of weekends on her. We are fortunate in so much as we can pounce on the odd sunny day and there are great places to explore in this area, 2.5 hours to Ireland, 1.5 hours to Isle of Man 1 hour to Liverpool and Anglesey is wonderful.
hunton69
Active Member
Are you sure it had 625 race engines? One that went to the states had mercury 600 SCI engines which I believe achieved 73Knots..84 mph
Another Hunton which was originally fitted with the 480 Cummins engines got re engine with a couple Mercury 662 CSI engines and that is coming back to the UK
Ian h
Well-Known Member
Ian h
Well-Known Member
From JFM
There are or have been two XRS43s called speedbird. The first one, 2012, had Merc 625hp racing engines. Black hull.
