Hunt's New 44 Express Sedan Wins Best New Product 2012 Powerboat of the Year
HULLS 1,2,3 ALL DELIVERED WITH IPS DRIVE JOYSTICK HANDLING AND DYNAMIC POSITIONING
Watch her run on Narragansett Bay!
Portsmouth, Rhode Island (USA) -- In time to enjoy a full summer of cruising their home waters of the Maine Coast, the first two of Hunt Yachts’ newest model, the Hunt 44, hit the water just before Memorial Day. Designed by C. Raymond Hunt Associates, as are all Hunt Yachts, this deep-V twin-diesel express cruiser delivers many of the features found in Hunt’s earlier 52’. These Hunt designs benefit from a legacy of Hunt’s ability to design with parallel focus on form and function. While they compete with the dockside glamour of other boats in their class, Hunt is able to engineer many comfort, safety and performance features not found in competitive brands.
The owners of the first two Hunt 44’s selected joystick handling with computerized dynamic positioning feature (to automatically hold the boat’s position) and IPS pod-drive propulsion with Volvo 600-series common-rail diesels and the popular joystick control with . Rather than mounting the pods directly under the engines, the shorter IPS units are located at the stern and are connected by jackshafts. This opens space aft of the engines for a dinghy garage, and allows for a small extra cabin to be located beneath the bridge. In hull #1, this space is a utility room with wine cellar, trash compactor and storage lockers; in hull #2, the space is a single berth sleeping cabin.
This is an authentic Hunt deep-V, perfected with the ultimate in modern engineering to combine performance and efficiency unmatched in the industry, capable of running comfortably at speed in rough seas, dry and smooth plus efficient with fuel. Hunt offers considerable latitude in owner personalization, but all Hunt 44’s have the convenience of a flush deck, extending from helm to stern steps, with main salon separated from after-deck by a curved window wall and sliding glass doors. The two Maine Hunt 44’s also illustrate some of the range of options Hunt offers in propulsion, layout, finish and details. Hull #1 has traditional side windows for the bridge deck (Pullman-style drops down for a more “open air” experience) and, below, use the space opposite the galley for an enclosed double stateroom with ensuite head. The owner of hull #2 opted for raked express side windows and used the space opposite the galley for a convertible settee; innovative sliding bulkhead that mates with a hinged door allows this space to be closed off when guests are aboard overnight. In addition to further customization, a number of other cabin arrangements are offered as standard.
The master stateroom is forward with large queen-size berth. The ample ensuite head, with separate shower, is aft to port. Across the passage is the guest head. The galley on the portside faces the guest stateroom or dinette. Pod propulsion then allows an extra cabin or engineroom immediately aft of the companionway stairs up to the bridge and main salon.
Visibility from the helm position is superb, virtually unobstructed through 360 degrees. Provision has been made to accommodate the full range of instrumentation, controls, and large-screen displays, all in a most satisfactory ergonomic fashion. There are options in layout for the main salon that allow each owner to achieve complete satisfaction. Curved sliding glass doors and windows complete the aft end of the main salon. The deck continues seamlessly out to the afterdeck so that, with the doors open, this entire area becomes a single space for entertainment or just relaxation.
On both sides of the afterdeck’s stern seat there are twin stairways down to the large transom platform. The transom itself rises with a rocker switch to open the dinghy garage into which a 9’-10’ rigid RIB or inflatable dinghy can stow out of sight, an uncommon feature for a yacht of this size.
The Hunt 44 is offered with several engine options. The first two hulls are fitted with the IPS option, twin Volvo Penta IPS-600 diesels (429 BHP @ 3500 RPM). The standard propulsion package uses twin Caterpillar C7 ACERT diesels (455 BHP @ 2800 RPM). Other options include twin Caterpillar C9 ACERT diesels (567 BHP @ 2500 RPM), twin Cummins QSC8.3 diesels (593 BHP @ 3000 RPM) with standard or ZF Pod drives. Maximum speed ranges from 27 knots with standard power to 31 knots with optional power, and the hull design permits such speeds without discomfort even when seas are boisterous.
Hunt Yachts maintains a level of detail and hand finishing above normal production quality. For additional information, contact Hunt Yachts, 1909 Alden Landing (Melville Marine Complex), Portsmouth, Rhode Island 02871. Tel: 401.324.4201 or go online to www.huntyachts.com where details, specifications, photos and videos of this and other Hunt yachts 25-68 feet can be accessed.
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Note for Editors: High-resolution images are available to show the Hunt 44, hull #2. Detailed specifications and line drawings are also available. Please contactLynne DeBeer(401.324.4201) who will respond to your request and supply suitable digital files to meet your requirements.