As a distinguished name in British yacht building, Hunter Boats Ltd. carved out a significant legacy in the marine industry, renowned for producing a diverse range of sailing vessels from agile racers to comfortable family cruisers. The company's journey, marked by innovation and a keen understanding of sailor's evolving needs, cemented its position among the largest sailboat builders in Britain for many years.
The story of Hunter Boats Ltd. begins in 1969 with its founder, Michael Polard, establishing the company near the Wakering marshes in Rochford, Essex. Before adopting the Hunter Boats name, the enterprise was known as the Essex Boat Company. Their inaugural and arguably most iconic vessel was the National Squib, a small racing keelboat designed by the celebrated Oliver Lee in 1967. Initially molded by the Essex Boat Company and finished by Oliver Lee, the Squib quickly became a strict "one-design" class, with Hunter Boats later building a significant number of these popular boats under license. The Squib represented Hunter's entry into the sailing world, laying the groundwork for a future of purposeful and well-regarded designs.
History and Evolution
In the early 1970s, the company relocated to a new, custom-built factory in Rochford, officially rebranding as Hunter Boats Ltd. Oliver Lee continued his association with the renamed company, designing several more yachts between 1969 and 1975, including the Hunter 490, the Hunter 701 (of which 82 were built between 1971 and 1975), the Tracer (a mini SQUIB with a lifting keel), and the revamped Hunter 19, which became known as the Hunter Europa. The Hunter 19 itself was based on the Squib's successful design.
A pivotal moment in Hunter's design evolution occurred in 1975 when David Thomas became their designer of choice. This collaboration yielded highly successful models like the Sonata, developed from Thomas's Quarter Tonner, Quarto. Other notable designs from this period include the Impala, the Delta 25, the Medina 20, and the distinctive cat ketch-rigged centerboarders, the Liberty 22 and 23. A gaff-rigged variant, the Minstrel 23, also emerged.
Hunter Boats also ventured into more performance-oriented vessels during this era, producing the 22-foot Formula One and the Formula 28, both designed by Steven Jones. Notably, these, along with the Half Ton Van de Stadt designed HB31, were among the first production boats to incorporate Kevlar in their standard laminates, showcasing Hunter's commitment to advanced materials and performance. Approximately 25 HB31 models were built.
A significant strategic shift occurred in 1984 as Hunter Boats began to prioritize cruisers over cruiser-racers, with a particular focus on twin keels. The Horizon 26 marked the beginning of this new range, earning the prestigious "Best Production Boat of the Year Award" in 1984. This was followed by the twin-keel Duette 23 (a Sonata adaptation), the Horizon 27, 272, and 273, and the Horizon 32 wheelhouse cruiser, which also garnered an award for "Best Production Cruiser of the Year" in 1987. The Fin Keel Hunter 27OOD offered a larger rigged, quicker alternative to the Horizon 27, and later Horizon models included the 21, 23, and 30, predominantly featuring twin keels.
In 1991, the Channel 323 was introduced as the largest cruiser in their lineup, predominantly with twin keels, though a popular fin keel version was later added. A major design innovation came in 1994 with the introduction of the new Ranger hull shape, again designed by David Thomas. These hulls were characterized by long waterlines, enhanced stability, and a subtle chine running from the transom to amidships, promoting excellent straight-line sailing. Models like the Ranger 265 and Ranger 245 embodied this new design philosophy, catering to Hunter owners' growing preference for solid and quick cruisers over racing performance. The Pilot 27 introduced a deck saloon concept with inside steering and all-around vision, while the Channel 27, a conventional roof version, replaced the Ranger 265.
In 1995, Hunter Boats launched the Hunter 707, a high-performance sportboat that was crowned "Yacht of the Year" in 1996. This model became known for its competitive one-design racing. The early 2000s saw the launch of the new Channel 31 in 2000, followed by the Mystery 35 in 2003, designed by Stephen Jones.
In 2003, Hunter Boats was acquired by the Select Yachts Group, a conglomerate that also included Cornish Crabbers, Red Fox Yachts, the Landau Launch Company, and Cornish Diva. However, the Select Yachts Group later faced challenges and went into voluntary liquidation. Subsequently, in 2009, Lauren Marine of Southampton purchased the rights, brand, and mould tools for the BRITISH HUNTER RANGE of yachts, continuing the legacy.
Design Philosophy and Identity
Hunter Boats cultivated a reputation for being one of Britain's leading sailboat builders, recognized for their practical and well-built vessels. Initially, their focus encompassed both racing and cruising, but over time, they increasingly catered to the demand for "solid and quick cruisers," as their owners became less interested in competitive racing.
A signature aspect of their design philosophy, particularly evident from the mid-1980s, was the embrace of twin keels. This design choice provided enhanced stability and shallow-draft capabilities, appealing to a broader cruising market. The later Ranger hull shape, designed by David Thomas, became a hallmark feature. These hulls were distinguished by their long waterlines, inherent stability, and a subtle chine that extended from the transom to amidships. This chine further improved stability and contributed to the boats' exceptional ability to track a straight course.
Hunter Boats collaborated with a cadre of distinguished naval architects who shaped their iconic designs:
- Oliver Lee: The original designer of the SQUIB, he also penned early Hunter models such as the Hunter 490, 701, Tracer, and the Hunter 19/Europa.
- David Thomas: Becoming the primary designer from 1975, Thomas was instrumental in creating the successful Sonata, Impala, Delta 25, Medina 20, Liberty 22/23, and the Minstrel 23. He later developed the innovative Ranger hull shape, found on models like the Ranger 265 and 245.
- Steven Jones: Responsible for the performance-oriented Formula One and Formula 28. He also designed the Mystery 35.
- Van de Stadt: The renowned Dutch firm designed the HB31, a Half Tonner that showcased Hunter's early adoption of Kevlar in production laminates.
Iconic Models and Legacy
Hunter Boats produced a lineage of significant and successful models that left an indelible mark on the British sailing scene:
- The SQUIB: As the company's inaugural boat, the Squib achieved significant success as a strict one-design racing keelboat. Over 800 Squibs have been built in total, with Hunter Boats contributing significantly to that number under license.
- The SONATA: This David Thomas design was immensely successful, particularly as a cruiser-racer, and its development led to the twin-keel Duette 23.
- The LIBERTY 22 and 23: These unique cat ketch-rigged centerboarders were highly popular for their unorthodox yet effective design.
- The HB31: This Half Tonner, designed by Van de Stadt, was a performance cruiser-racer that stood out for being one of the first production boats to incorporate Kevlar in its laminates.
- The HORIZON Series: The Horizon 26 was awarded "Best Production Boat of the Year" in 1984, and the Horizon 32 wheelhouse cruiser received "Best Production Cruiser of the Year" in 1987. These awards highlighted Hunter's successful pivot towards comfortable and well-regarded cruising yachts.
- The Hunter 707: Launched in 1995, this high-performance sportboat quickly gained acclaim, being voted "Yacht of the Year" in 1996. It fostered a vibrant one-design racing community, with large fleets still active today.
- The RANGER Series (e.g., Ranger 245, Ranger 265): These models, featuring the innovative David Thomas-designed Ranger hull, exemplified Hunter's commitment to creating stable, easily sailed cruisers with long waterlines and excellent tracking ability. The Ranger 245 was particularly lauded for its impressive interior volume within a relatively compact hull length, offering up to six berths and a comprehensive cruising setup.
- The MYSTERY 35: Introduced in 2003, this Stephen Jones design was noted for its excellent sailing pedigree and was built by Hunter Boats Ltd.
While Hunter Boats focused primarily on production yachts for the broader market, their impact on the marine industry stemmed from their consistent delivery of well-designed, robust, and often innovative vessels that catered to a wide range of sailing preferences.
The Builder Today
Following the acquisition by Select Yachts Group in 2003, and the subsequent liquidation of the group, the legacy of Hunter Boats was preserved. In 2009, LAUREN MARINE stepped in, acquiring the rights, brand, and mould tools for the BRITISH HUNTER RANGE of yachts. They continue to operate the British Hunter brand from Southampton.
Today, British Hunter boats appeal to sailors who value robust construction, dependable performance, and comfortable cruising. The emphasis remains on solid and quick cruisers, reflecting the preferences of their loyal owner base. While specific details on current production numbers or new models under Lauren Marine are less publicly documented, the continued existence of the British Hunter brand and the presence of active owner communities for popular models like the Hunter 707 demonstrate an enduring appreciation for Hunter's distinctive sailing heritage. The brand's commitment to accessible, enjoyable sailing continues to resonate within the UK and beyond.
