The Hunter 490 occupies a unique niche in British maritime history as one of the earliest "micro-cruisers" to emerge from the collaboration between founder Michael Poland and the prolific designer Oliver Lee. Launched in the late 1960s under the Essex Boat Company banner before the firm transitioned into Hunter Boats Ltd., the 490 was designed to provide the stability and safety of a keelboat within a 16-foot (4.9-meter) footprint. It served as the entry-point model for a generation of sailors, preceding the iconic Hunter 19 and Europa models. Despite its diminutive size, the 490 was built with the same robust GRP techniques that would eventually make Hunter one of the UK's most successful production builders. According to the Hunter Association, the model features a 16' 1" LOA and a 6' beam, maintaining a classic Oliver Lee profile with a relatively low-profile coachroof and a deep, fixed iron keel.
Hunter 490 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview
- Make
- Hunter
- Model
- 490
- Builder
- Hunter Boats Ltd.
- Designer
- Oliver Lee
- Number Built
- Production Year(s)
- 1972 - 1977
Below are the most recent Hunter 490 sailboat listings (up to 10).
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| Source | Year | Make | Model | Price | Cabins | Heads | City | Country | Listing Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DISCLAIMER: We are not affiliated with any external listing websites in any way. We simply aggregate publicly available listings to make it easier for buyers to find sailboats for sale. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the listings, so please verify all information with the seller before making any decisions.
Market Overview
Price & Volume Trends
Monthly breakdown
| Month | Listings | Median Asking Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | 1 | $1,649 |
| Model | LOA | Median Price (USD) | Listings | Recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 | 48.5' | $419,263 | 91 | 39 |
| Hunter 49 | 49.92' | $219,000 | 28 | 1 |
| Hunter 28.5 | 28.42' | $12,750 | 22 | 7 |
| Hunter 240 | 24.08' | $9,328 | 15 | 5 |
| Hunter Boats Horizon 23 | 22.75' | $10,139 | 12 | 8 |
| Hunter Boats Sonata | $4,122 | 11 | 6 | |
| Hunter Boats Horizon 26 | 26.34' | $11,792 | 10 | 4 |
| Hunter 26.5 | 26.58' | $5,125 | 4 | 1 |
| Precision 21 | 20.75' | $5,500 | 3 | 1 |
| Hunter 490 | $1,649 | 1 | 0 | |
| Hunter 25 | 25' | $2,500 | 1 | 0 |
| Country | Median Price (USD) | Listings (past 12 months) | Recent (90d) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | $1,649 | 1 | 0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a used Hunter 490 cost?
- The median asking price for a used Hunter 490 over the past 12 months is $1,649. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
- How many Hunter 490 sailboats are for sale?
- We have tracked 1 Hunter 490 listings over the past 12 months, with 0 listed within the last 90 days.
- What are similar sailboats to the Hunter 490?
- Comparable models include the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490, Hunter 49, Hunter 28.5. See the comparison table above for pricing and availability.