Design and Construction
The 45CC's structure follows the modern Hunter recipe refined under the Marlow banner: a solid fiberglass laminate below the waterline is paired with balsa-cored topsides and Kevlar reinforcements throughout, a combination meant to keep the hull honest in a seaway while shedding weight where it matters least. Where the boat distinguishes itself is in the build method. Hunter has used modular interior construction extensively across its range, and in the 45CC the bonded-in furniture forms a true unibody once aligned — the interior is not merely fitted but structural. That approach yields a stiff shell, and the lower slung coach roof the Canadian testers admired contributes both to the boat's protected sightlines and to a lower center of gravity than a tall trunk would allow.
Rig and Handling
On deck the 45CC flies a Selden fractional rig with double spreaders and a no-backstay configuration that testers found continually impressive, the absence of a running backstay simplifying short-handed sail handling. An integrated arch carries the traveler and keeps the boom clear of crew movement aft, while a rigid boom vang is standard. The large mainsail rolls into the mast with ease, and forward a 110% jib runs on a Furlex roller furler. Inboard sheet tracks pull the sheeting angle tight for close-winded work, and every control is led aft so the helm can manage sailpower without leaving the cockpit. Testers were firm that the optional halyard winch is a must for comfortable single-watch operation.
Cockpit and Deck
The cockpit itself is a study in practical cruising layout. A fold-away steering wheel clears the companionway when stowed, and a large fold-out table turns the space into an outdoor saloon. Two coaming lockers keep lines and gear close, Flexi-Teek covers the seats and the swim platform alike, and an integrated pedestal grab rail offers security underway. The swim platform carries a neat ladder and shower, and double lifelines with three gates — two per side and one aft — make moving forward or dipping over the transom straightforward.
Accommodations
Below, the 45CC delivers the roomy, considered interior her beam promises. Slightly curved steps descend to a centerline U-shaped galley to starboard with a double sink, a two-burner gimbaled stove, and a side-by-side fridge and freezer. A large saloon table seats six with an opposite settee for quiet reading, and a fitted pivoting navigator's chair faces Raytheon electronics at the nav station. Headroom runs a generous 6'9" through the main cabin. The master stateroom aft enjoys seven opening ports for cross-ventilation, Corian-topped night tables, two cedar-lined lockers, and a private head. Forward, a double V-berth with below-bunk storage pairs with a starboard hanging locker and a port-side head carrying shower and vanity.
Engine and Systems
A 75 HP Yanmar sits below, matched to the 75-gallon fuel tank and an 11-gallon water heater, with 149 gallons of water and a 48-gallon holding tank rounding out the house systems. The engine's output is generous for a boat of this displacement and supports both propulsion and a credible hotel load at anchor.
The Verdict
The Marlow-Hunter 45CC is a thoroughly modern cruiser whose bonded modular interior and Kevlar-reinforced balsa construction give her a structural integrity that belies her comfort-oriented deck. She is made for cruising, and every line led aft, every fold-away fitting, and every cedar-lined locker confirms it.
Pros
- Unibody interior bonding creates genuine structural stiffness
- No-backstay fractional rig with all controls aft simplifies short-handed sailing
- Center-cockpit layout with 6'9" headroom and seven-port aft stateroom
- Generous 149-gallon water and 75-gallon fuel capacity for extended autonomy
Cons
- In-mast furling and arch rig favor convenience over adjustable sail shape
- Shoal draft at 5'0" trades some windward bite for accessibility
