Sailing Magazine’s John Kretschmer reviewed Hunter 460’s in his article for “Used Boat Notebook” Nov/Dec 2010 issue (p34). The 460 is described as a capable and affordable cruiser that is holding its resale value despite the market downturn (due to the GFC). We noted his comment about the carbon fibre rudder stock and were in full agreement – we replaced ours with stainless in early BVI days.
I certainly agree that the Hunter Owner’s web site is an excellent and friendly resource. I used it quite a lot in our early days (pre-owner) to find out if the 460 was the one for us. We like to gunkhole in quiet anchorages rather than pull up to marinas, and were concerned the 460 was more a floating show pony. Our experiences have proved otherwise as we’ve since cruised the Caribbean to Trinidad (2008), up to Chesapeake via the Bahamas and the ICW in 2009 and Maine, New England coasts in 2010. Hunter themselves have been very helpful too, as since purchase, I’ve negotiated my way around numerous repairs and upgrades. I was sorry to have missed an opportunity to visit their factory on my way up the ICW though.
The features we really like, informed by 3 years of ownership, are the swim-step and its shower, and the hatches that open wide to let in balmy tropical breezes. The accommodations are really easy to live in and though seem somewhat voluminous at sea, we rarely move forward of the saloon when underway. The galley is very secure for the Slave at sea, the nav station easy to slide into and the amidships head well positioned for any action, even in rough conditions. WJ3 has been rigged for shorthanded sailing too (as Soul Mate) with all lines coming back into the cockpit. Of course there are a few limitations to the Hunter 460 but I think I’ve covered them in previous posts.
So, it was good to read positive things about the 460 and for us to compare the analysis with our own experiences. Well done Sailing Magazine because we agree. We’ve found our Hunter 460 to be an easy live-aboard, safe and comfortable cruiser. On the bluewater or slumming up the ICW, WJ3’s the gal for us!
(For another & older review (2000) we found this one on line from Sea Magazine.)
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| On Anchor in Baltimore's Canton (JGP Photo) |
The features we really like, informed by 3 years of ownership, are the swim-step and its shower, and the hatches that open wide to let in balmy tropical breezes. The accommodations are really easy to live in and though seem somewhat voluminous at sea, we rarely move forward of the saloon when underway. The galley is very secure for the Slave at sea, the nav station easy to slide into and the amidships head well positioned for any action, even in rough conditions. WJ3 has been rigged for shorthanded sailing too (as Soul Mate) with all lines coming back into the cockpit. Of course there are a few limitations to the Hunter 460 but I think I’ve covered them in previous posts.
So, it was good to read positive things about the 460 and for us to compare the analysis with our own experiences. Well done Sailing Magazine because we agree. We’ve found our Hunter 460 to be an easy live-aboard, safe and comfortable cruiser. On the bluewater or slumming up the ICW, WJ3’s the gal for us!
(For another & older review (2000) we found this one on line from Sea Magazine.)
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