Hunter 45 CC Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

The 45 CC was built as a two-cabin, two-head center-cockpit cruiser, and virtually every example you encounter will follow the same fundamental plan: a forward V-berth guest stateroom with its own en suite head, a central saloon with a large dining table to port and a settee to starboard, a U-shaped galley positioned amidships, an opposing nav station, and the signature aft master suite with a centerline island berth and private head. This layout is essentially fixed — unlike some center-cockpit designs of the period, Hunter did not offer meaningful alternate accommodation arrangements on this model, so what you see in the brochure is what you get on nearly every boat.

The saloon's wraparound portlight and windshield arrangement is a defining visual feature and floods the interior with natural light. The single-level floor throughout the interior — a deliberate engineering choice — is something buyers who have looked at competing center-cockpit designs will notice immediately and appreciate: no stumbling over companionway sills between cabins.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Hunter delivered the 45 CC with a notably complete standard specification, and used examples tend to reflect that generosity. A chartplotter and autopilot are commonly fitted, and radar is found on a large share of the boats on the market. Air conditioning is frequently installed — hardly surprising given how strongly this model sells in warm-water and coastal American markets. Electric winches, an inverter, and a furling main are widespread. Dinghy davits are a common addition, reflecting the boat's role as a liveaboard-capable passage maker where a tender in davits beats rowing from a swim platform.

Hot water systems, dodgers, and full bimini enclosures are often seen, as is a solar array — an easy retrofit that previous owners have adopted widely. Among the more ambitious upgrades you will encounter, a watermaker, bow thruster, heating system, and AIS transponder are sometimes fitted. Lithium battery banks are turning up on more recently refitted examples. Spinnaker and asymmetric spinnaker gear, cockpit showers, and satellite internet hardware appear on boats whose owners clearly set them up for extended cruising rather than coastal weekending.

What to Inspect

The 45 CC rewards a thorough survey and there are a few areas worth particular attention. The B&R rig relies on a network of tie-rods and diagonal struts rather than a conventional backstay, and Cruising World's Boat of the Year judges flagged the U-bolt fitting at the base of the lower shroud's tie-rod — specifically, that a nylon locking nut on the through-pin may not engage the locking material fully under load. Hunter's engineering team contested the severity of the concern, noting the fitting is loaded in shear and is easily inspected, but this is precisely the kind of detail a rigger should examine on any used example. The entire standing rigging arrangement deserves scrutiny: look for corrosion at the tie-rod terminals, check the condition of all toggle and clevis pins, and verify that the spreaders are correctly aligned.

The hull uses solid glass below the waterline and balsa coring in the topsides — a sensible split that nevertheless means moisture intrusion in the cored sections is a realistic survey finding on older boats. Tap the topsides methodically and commission a moisture survey if the boat has lived in a wet climate or shows any blistering. The keel stub arrangement combines an internal stub with external lead ballast; the keel-to-hull joint is worth probing for any movement or cracking, particularly on boats that have taken hard groundings. The aft cabin's access to the stuffing box — via a tilting vanity, as designed — is a convenience worth confirming still works as intended, since some owners have modified this area.

Electronics access is notoriously tight once the nav station is populated. If the boat has had electronics updated or added, trace the wiring and look for crowded or improper runs; this is a common area for DIY work that can create headaches. The front-loading refrigerator and freezer, while convenient to use, are not as thermally efficient as top-loaders, and compressor condition and insulation integrity are worth checking on any boat that has lived in warm climates for extended periods.

Finally, the twin transom lockers are large and tend to accumulate gear and moisture; inspect the drains and the locker liners carefully. The swim platform is narrow and the telescoping ladder should be tested for smooth operation.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The Hunter 45 CC circulates widely on the used market, with strong availability across the United States and Canada, notably in the Chesapeake, Gulf Coast, Pacific Northwest, and Great Lakes. It turns up regularly in the Mediterranean, particularly in Greece and the broader charter-fleet market, as well as in Australian waters. For buyers shopping North America, the eastern seaboard tends to offer the deepest inventory, and boats coming out of charter service will occasionally appear at reduced prices — though they will typically show corresponding hours and wear.

The 45 CC is a strong value proposition for a liveaboard couple or a family wanting a stylish, well-equipped center-cockpit cruiser without stepping into a custom-yacht budget. Its weaknesses are manageable with a proper survey and targeted attention. Before making an offer, run through this checklist:

• Inspect the B&R rig tie-rod fittings, terminals, and locking hardware with a rigger
• Tap and moisture-test the balsa-cored topsides for delamination or wet coring
• Probe the keel-to-hull joint for cracking, movement, or previous repairs
• Test the stuffing box access panel in the aft cabin and confirm it has not been obstructed
• Check the refrigeration compressor condition and insulation integrity
• Trace nav-station wiring for crowding, improper terminations, or amateur additions
• Inspect transom locker drains and bilge pump operation
• Verify autopilot, windlass, electric winches, and any bow thruster are fully operational
• Confirm all through-hulls are bronze, operable, and have properly bedded seacocks
• Assess the solar, inverter, and battery bank state-of-health if a house system upgrade has been fitted