Design and Construction
At 9 feet 11 inches long and just 115 pounds, the Xcite is light enough to carry on a roof rack. Its hull is central to its appeal. Hunter built it using a patented Advanced Composite Process: thermoformed, UV-protected plastic over a urethane foam core, backed on the inside with a fiberglass mat.
The builder claimed that the flexible outer skin absorbs impact energy by flexing on contact, while the foam supports the skin and diffuses the blow. The innermost fiberglass backing holds the structure intact. Hunter also asserted that the foam provides enough positive flotation to keep a water-filled hull or a 200-pound sailor afloat, making the boat unsinkable.
The deep outer finish is practical, too. Owners can sand and buff out scratches themselves rather than calling in a professional.
Rig and Handling
The Xcite is cat-rigged, with a two-part mast that makes cartopping straightforward when combined with the boat’s 115-pound weight. Standard equipment includes a 46-square-foot training sail. Buyers could instead choose a 54-square-foot Mylar Turbo sail, which adds a full-length top batten and carries its extra eight square feet in the head for more drive.
Aluminum spars, a boom vang, and an adjustable outhaul were standard equipment, underlining that the Xcite is a real sailboat rather than a toy. Its kick-up centerboard and kick-up rudder allow it to skim over shoals and launch from almost anywhere. Testers found the cockpit wide and uncluttered, an arrangement that suits nervous beginners and keeps gear out of the way.
Intended Use
There are no cabins or berths on a boat this size. The Xcite is first and foremost a daysailer and trainer: an entry-level boat for children and novices, or a simple, durable auxiliary kept at a summer place.
The wide cockpit and easy rigging suit spontaneous outings. Hunter’s claimed unsinkable construction also removes a layer of worry for parents and lake-house owners.
Ownership and Maintenance
Ownership should be simple by nature. The deep, scratch-resistant skin allows owners to handle cosmetic repairs with a do-it-yourself sand-and-buff job. The two-part mast and cartoppable weight mean the boat doesn’t require a trailer or yard storage.
Its standard aluminum spars and vang are simple systems, leaving little to maintain beyond the centerboard and rudder pivots. For a sailor looking for a second boat that can live on a roof rack, the Xcite fits the bill.
The Verdict
The Hunter Xcite works as a forgiving, nearly bombproof introduction to sailing and a take-anywhere spare boat. Its composite hull and positive flotation make it unusual among small dinghies: a boat you can lend to a child without dread. It won’t thrill a racer, but it was never intended to.
Pros
- Unsinkable construction with foam-core positive flotation
- Deep outer finish that owners can repair themselves
- Two-part mast and 115-pound weight for easy cartopping
- Wide, uncluttered cockpit suited to novices
Cons
- Doesn’t approach the performance of a Laser
- Minimal sail plan limits it to training and casual use
