Design and Construction
The Hunter 19-2 is built predominantly of fiberglass as a solid monohull, with a slightly raked stem and a walk-through reverse transom that simplifies swimming and dinghy-style access. A transom-hung kick-up rudder controlled by tiller pairs with a retractable centerboard, giving a minimum draft of just 1 foot 2 inches with the board up and 4 feet 8 inches down. Unusually for a boat this size, it carries 500 pounds of flooding water ballast rather than fixed lead or iron; the tank is drained for road transport, and the design also claims positive flotation. A self-bailing cockpit and built-in outboard engine mount round out a hull intended for casual, forgiving use.
Rig and Handling
The boat wears a fractional sloop rig of the Bermuda type, with a mast height of 29 feet above the waterline and a modest 167 square feet of sail. Period testing found the 19-2 aimed squarely at the relatively inexperienced sailor, offering room below. That same reviewer noted the tradeoffs of the chosen ballast and hull form: the water ballast sits high, making the boat tender and quick to tip, and the small sail area leaves it slow. The unusually high freeboard also draws wind abeam, tending to blow the boat sideways and limiting maneuverability under power. The PHRF racing average handicap of 282 places it firmly among leisurely cruising designs rather than racers.
Accommodations
Below, the Hunter 19-2 sleeps two on a double berth in the aft cabin. The galley sits on the port side just forward of the companionway ladder and is equipped with a stove and sink, while a portable stove and cooler supplement meal preparation. The head is placed in the forepeak, using a portable toilet. These are practical, modular appointments rather than built-in cabinetry, consistent with a trailerable day sailer that can be stripped for transport.
Equipment and Trailering
A highway trailer was supplied as standard equipment, underlining the boat's road-going character. The flooding water ballast tank must be drained before towing, and the retractable centerboard and kick-up rudder fold clear of the launch ramp. The outboard motor type is mounted on the built-in bracket, keeping propulsion portable and serviceable away from the boat.
The Verdict
The Hunter 19-2 is a purpose-built entry-level trailerable cruiser: easy to launch, simple to own, and roomy for its length, but fundamentally limited by its water-ballast tenderness and small rig. It suits a newcomer who values cabin space and ramp-side convenience over pace or precise powered maneuvering.
Pros
- Trailerable with standard highway trailer and drained ballast
- Walk-through reverse transom and self-bailing cockpit for easy access
- Sleeps two with galley and head in a compact, portable layout
- Positive flotation and shallow draft with board up
Cons
- Tender due to high water ballast
- Slow under sail from limited sail area
- Blown sideways abeam from high freeboard, hampering powered maneuvering
