What distinguishes the boat in use is how readily she serves as a cruising platform. In 8 to 10 knots of breeze on Biscayne Bay, she quickly accelerated to better than 5 knots closehauled at an apparent wind angle near 35 degrees and sailed as a “perfect cruising platform”.
Design and Construction
Hunter built the 50 AC with a fiberglass-balsa sandwich above the waterline and solid glass below. The layup uses a modified polyester/epoxy mix, with a vinylester layer throughout to help ward off blisters. Below the waterline, the laminate includes Kevlar from the stem to the keel stump for additional strength. A structural grid inside the hull helps carry the keel and rig loads.
The hull-to-deck joint is bolted around its full perimeter and sealed with 3M 5200 adhesive. Its outward-turning flange is tucked into a sturdy rubrail.
The deck is also a balsa-cored fiberglass sandwich. The “teak” cockpit benches, swim step, and transom seats are actually PlasDECK, a synthetic substitute that avoids the maintenance required by real wood. Sturdy stainless-steel handrails run the length of the cabinhouse top. At the forward end of the cockpit coaming, a sculpted curve is intended to throw green water outboard, away from the helmsman rather than into their lap.
Rig and Sailing Performance
The Hunter 50 AC carries Hunter’s backstay-free aluminum B&R rig, with the mainsheet led overhead on the trademark tubular arch. The standard sailplan includes an in-mast furling mainsail and a 90-percent self-tacking blade jib. Options included a 110-percent headsail on adjustable tracks, a staysail for hunkering down as the wind builds, and a spinnaker.
The headsail and mainsheet winches are close at hand, and electric versions were available. On the water, the boat turned easily through the wind and lost minimal way through a series of tacks. Despite her size, she proved easier to maneuver than many boats a fraction of her length. Twin wheels help and also leave clear access to the transom swim step when anchored.
Under Power
A 75hp Yanmar is standard, although the test boat carried the optional 110hp engine. Underway, that boat easily made just over 10 knots at 3,400 rpm. It settled to 9 knots at 2,500 rpm and still managed 7.5 knots at 2,000 rpm, providing a useful range of cruising speeds without thrashing the machinery.
Cockpit and Interior
The cockpit has nicely angled seatbacks for lounging. A bridgedeck keeps seas out of the saloon, while the raised base of the cockpit table serves as a foot brace when the boat heels.
Below, the saloon is roomy and well lit by a strip of portlights running aft from about the mast step, although one tester objected to that same angled strip. Varnished cherry joinery is impressive throughout, and, in keeping with Hunter’s usual approach, the interior has plenty of hatches for ventilation.
Hunter offered two main interior plans: a standard three-stateroom arrangement and a four-stateroom version with twin double cabins forward. Buyers could also specify a layout with a combined workbench and office.
The galley is excellent, with generous counter space that includes an island beside the companionway. The tubular stainless-steel fiddles are less effective, however, as they’ll stop only large items from sliding onto the sole.
The Verdict
The Hunter 50 AC is a thoughtfully engineered large cruiser that handles more easily than her size might suggest and provides comfortable living aboard. Construction details such as Kevlar reinforcement, a blister-resistant laminate, and a secure hull-to-deck joint reflect a concern for longevity. The B&R rig, self-tacking jib, and standard in-mast furling make short-handed sailing plausible. Her cockpit ergonomics and synthetic decking are practical, if not romantic.
Pros
- Easy to maneuver and quick to accelerate under sail despite her 50-foot length
- Standard self-tacking jib and in-mast furling simplify sail handling
- Blister-resistant layup, with Kevlar below the waterline and an internal structural grid
- Spacious, well-ventilated interior with several layout choices
Cons
- One tester criticized the angled portlight strip running aft from the mast step
- Tubular galley fiddles restrain only large objects
- The standard sail-area-displacement ratio of 18 is modest for light-air performance
