Hunt 44 Express Cruiser

The 44 is no doubt a handsome vessel, with salty lines and plenty of brightwork, but she’s not just some show pony...

By Kevin Koenig

July 12, 2012

There’s a certain understatement that owners of traditional Down East yachts seem to desire. They do not want to come off as ostentatious—certainly not that—but they are no doubt concerned with aesthetics. After all, in a class of boats that’s partially defined by it’s aristocratic air, the way you look counts. But there’s also something undeniably pragmatic about many of these vessels. Outer appearances hold import, but they don’t mean much if the boat doesn’t function exceptionally well. Hunt understands both sides of this delicate equation, and with their new 44 Express Cruiser, they have brought that equation to vivid life.

The 44 is no doubt a handsome vessel, with salty lines and plenty of brightwork, but she’s not just some show pony. She’s available with an array of sturdy diesel powerplants, including a set of Cummins QSC 8.3-600s that can get her up to 30 knots at WOT with a cruise around 26. Bow and stern thrusters or an optional IPS joystick matched to pods make her a breeze to handle at slower speeds, while an aft garage can hold a tender for making trips to port.

The 44 also has a flush cockpit and saloon, just like her big sister, Hunt’s 52-foot model. That uninterrupted space makes entertaining (and getting around underway) safe and enjoyable, particularly when the sliding doors in the aft bulkhead are opened to connect the saloon and cockpit. There’s definitely a lot to like about this midsize, patrician cruiser—and certainly more than meets the eye.Look for a full review in a future issue.