Hull, Structure, and Construction
The 45 CC's hull relies on solid fiberglass laminate below the waterline with balsa coring in the topsides, a sensible split that keeps weight low and provides impact resistance where it matters most. Forward sections include Kevlar reinforcements to handle collision loads without fracturing. The keel stub integrates external lead ballast fastened to the hull, a hybrid approach that lowers the center of gravity while preserving a sump area in the bilge — Hunter's acknowledgment that the stub provides a bilge sump while external ballast offers grounding advantages that a fully internal arrangement cannot. A structural grid bonded with Plexus aerospace adhesive stiffens the hull and supports modular interior assembly, eliminating the secondary bonds that historically troubled production boats.
Rig and Sailing Performance
Henderson's insistence on the fractional B&R rig is explicit: he will never design another masthead rig. The backstayless double-spreader Selden spar carries a large mainsail that does most of the work, while the standard 110-percent non-overlapping genoa on Furlex roller furling keeps foredeck demands modest for shorthanded crews. Vertical battens allow the optional furling main to carry meaningful roach. The Harken mainsheet traveler lives on the stainless arch over the cockpit rather than in the cockpit sole — a layout that clears working space and removes the boom from crew head height during jibes.
On the water, the helm stayed balanced enough to go unattended for minutes at a stretch in 10 knots of breeze, with the boat pointing inside 40 degrees apparent before genuine pinching set in. The asymmetrical spinnaker sets cleanly at around 120 degrees and carries forward to 70 degrees apparent. The one compromise inherent in the sweptback B&R geometry is real: the swept-back rig prevents the main from paying out far enough for deep reaching, making tacking downwind the preferred strategy in light airs. Cruising World's Boat of the Year judges noted that the moderate sail area-to-displacement ratio keeps the boat well within comfort zones for cruising couples who have no interest in driving a raceboat.
Cockpit and Deck
The cockpit is intelligently configured for its constrained geometry. A folding wheel opens working space without removing the helm, Flex-Teek synthetic teak covers the seats, and all sail controls are led aft with an electric halyard winch to starboard. The integral handrail on the large pedestal, a fold-out table, and twin coaming lockers round out a well-resolved helm station. A beefy stemhead fitting carries double offset anchor rollers, an external chain locker, and an electric windlass as standard equipment, all important benchmarks for a boat marketed to bluewater aspirants. The stainless stern rail offers useful stern seats for use underway or at anchor, and a telescoping swim ladder eases re-boarding after a swim.
Wide side decks are clear of obstructions and include padeyes for jacklines — a safety detail that suggests the designers had offshore use in mind. The propane locker sits on the side deck just inside the lifeline gate, accessible from the dock or a dinghy without going below.
Accommodations
The aft master cabin makes the center-cockpit trade-off worthwhile. A centerline queen berth with an innerspring mattress is flanked by Corian-topped nightstands and cedar-lined hanging lockers, and the private en-suite head with bi-fold shower door completes a genuinely palatial suite. The forward guest cabin repeats the pattern at a smaller scale: a true V-berth without a filler cushion, a dedicated head with stall shower, and good ventilation.
The U-shaped galley is positioned amidships — its central location keeps cooking practical underway — with Corian countertops, two sinks, front-loading refrigerator and freezer, a gimbaled two-burner stove, and a built-in microwave and coffeemaker. The nav station opposite features a pivoting armchair that Kretschmer had been wanting for 25 years, sized to accommodate a full electronics suite and large enough to unfold paper charts.
Single-level cabin soles eliminate the inter-cabin steps that trip crew at sea in many center-cockpit designs. Natural light pours through wraparound portlights. Standard smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in every cabin reflect a fitting-out standard that Kretschmer observed had steadily improved Hunter's interior finish over the years.
Known Issues and Concerns
Cruising World's Boat of the Year judges identified one structural concern worth monitoring: the U-bolt-like fitting connecting the lower shroud tie-rod to the hull gave judges pause. Specifically, the concern was that it could deform under load, and that the nylon locking nut was not engaged deeply enough for the locking material to function. Henderson responded that the fitting is engineered well beyond the breaking load of the wire itself and that crane tests applying excessive rig tension had revealed no failures. He also noted that the pin is in shear rather than tension, and that the fitting is located where it can easily be inspected. Prudent owners should add this connection to their routine pre-season check regardless. On deck, installation and wiring access behind the nav station electronics is extremely tight, which matters when adding or servicing electronics.
A secondary practical note: the high center cockpit and profile can make maneuvering in a strong wind a challenge, a consequence of the windage inherent in any center-cockpit design with a full-length coachroof. The narrow swim platform is a minor inconvenience on an otherwise generously proportioned deck.
The Verdict
The Hunter 45 CC delivers on its central promise: a center-cockpit cruiser that sails with more energy and looks more purposeful than most of its contemporaries. Henderson's low-slung profile, fractional rig, and single-level sole address the classic objections to the type — ungainly appearance, compromised pointing ability, awkward interior flow — without abandoning the aft-cabin liveability that justifies building a center-cockpit boat in the first place. The 75-horsepower Yanmar provides reliable auxiliary power with meaningful fuel range, and the build quality reflects the aerospace-grade bonding and modular construction Hunter refined across multiple generations. The shroud tie-rod fitting warrants a careful eye, but it is inspectable and has not produced documented failures in the field.
Pros
- Fractional B&R rig and large main make for capable, shorthanded sailing
- Single-level cabin sole eliminates dangerous inter-cabin steps
- Palatial aft master suite with centerline queen and en-suite head
- Amidships galley well-positioned for passage cooking
- Solid-below, cored-above hull construction with Kevlar forward sections
- Stainless arch keeps traveler and boom safely overhead
- Electric windlass, double anchor rollers, and padeyes for jacklines standard
Cons
- Swept-back B&R rig limits deep-downwind sailing; tacking downwind required
- Lower shroud tie-rod fitting requires periodic inspection
- Tight clearance behind nav station complicates electronics installation
- High profile and center-cockpit windage demand respect in close-quarters maneuvering
- Swim platform is narrow for a 45-footer
