Our first famous sailboat was the National Squib, designed and finished by Oliver Lee and moulded by Hunters (then called the Essex Boat Company).  The Squib flourished, achieved National Status, and is still built to this day, with numbers pushing up towards 800.

A year or so later, one Michael Poland asked Oliver if he could put a lid on a Squib, so that he could go cross Channel JOG racing in a boat that would cost less than a full set of B&G instruments.  Oliver relented, and designed a proper fibreglass lid to go on the Squib.  Since Michael Poland’s other favourite past time was hunting, the new model was called the Hunter. And so began the new Hunter line.

Oliver designed several other Hunters for the renamed Hunter Boats Ltd between 1969 and 1975; the 16’ lifting keel Hunter 490, the 23’  Hunter 701, the Tracer (a mini Squib with lifting keel) and the revamped Hunter 19 that changed her name to the Hunter Europa.   All sold well, and multiplied in yacht harbours in the UK and abroad.  Perhaps the most famous exploit was David Blagden’s epic success in the 1972 Observer Single-handed Transatlantic Race.  His diminutive Hunter 19 "Willing Griffin" survived many Atlantic storms and finished the race; the smallest yacht ever to do the official Single-handed Transatlantic.  Visit your library and find "Very Willing Griffin" by David Blagden.  It’s an inspiring read.

In 1975 we met designer David Thomas.  We were much taken by his one-off Quarter Tonner called Quarto.  David said he would design us a round bilged GRP development; and the Sonata was born.  She became an RYA National Status Class, and remains a leading One-Design cruiser-racer to this day.  Over the ensuing years, the Sonata was followed by the 28’  Hunter Impala, the Hunter Delta 25, the lifting keel Hunter Medina 20, and the somewhat unorthodox but very popular cat ketch-rigged centreboarder, the Hunter Liberty 22 and 23.  A gaff-rigged sister-ship went under the name of the Hunter Minstrel 23.

Over the same period, we built three pure race boats by different designers.  These were the lifting keel 22’  Formula One and larger Formula 28 by Steve Jones.  Both win races to this day. We also built the more exotic production Half Ton Van de Stadt designed HB31.   She and the Formula designs were the first production boats to use Kevlar in their standard laminates.  All three boats continue to excel on the race course.

In 1984, Hunters decided to investigate Twin Keels and move towards cruisers rather than Cruiser-Racers.  The first of this new range of cruisers was the 26' Hunter Horizon 26, and in 1984 she won the Best Production Boat of the Year Award.  She was soon joined by the twin keel Hunter Duette 23 (a Sonata development with twin keels), the Hunter Horizon 27, 272 and 273, and the Hunter Horizon 32 wheelhouse cruiser.   The new 32 also won the Award for the best Production Cruiser of the year in 1987. The Fin Keel Hunter 27OOD was a larger rigged and quicker version of the Horizon 27.  The last Horizon models were the 21, 23 and the 30; also predominantly Twin Keelers.

The Channel 323 remains our biggest cruiser.  Most owners go for twin keels, but the recently introduced 323 Fin Keeler is also proving very popular.  The Channel 32/323 has as much room as most 34 footers; with 6’3 headroom and acres of space.  She travels long distances and is a very popular Category A Ocean ‘proper yacht’.

In the '90s, we introduced the new Ranger hull shape. Designed by David Thomas, these hulls have long waterlines, great stability and a subtle chine that runs from transom to amidships.  This adds further to stability and produces a hull that sails in a straight line with consummate ease.  Our owners have become less interested in racing over the years; solid and quick cruisers are what they want.

The Ranger 265 and Ranger 245 follow this theme.  Spacious cruisers with headroom, space, comfort and stability.  The Pilot 27 is a deck saloon development, offering inside steering and splendid all round vision from the dinette settees.  She’s that rare beast: a motor sailer that sails like a dream!  And now we have the new Channel 27 cruiser which is a conventional roof version of the Pilot 27, and replaces the Ranger 265.

And, in case the go-faster boys feel left out, we do of course have the Hunter 707.  This dynamic, planing sportsboat hit the scene in late 95, and has grown into one of the biggest, fastest and most entertaining keelboat classes in the land.  Sponsorship from Highland Distillers’ delicious 40% proof Gloag’s Gin adds to the fun and lubricates the parties ashore.  In 1996, she was voted Yacht of the Year ... a rare accolade. At just under 24’ overall, the Hunter 707 takes a crew of 4-5 and gives them total sport and very close, exciting racing.

As we approach the millennium, Hunters have two other new offerings.  The all new Channel 31 will be out in 1999, and we already have eleven reservations.  Then there’s the NEW DEPARTURE ... a motor boat!  The Landau 20, built by Hunters for the Landau Launch Company, won the 1998 motorboat design competition and made its first appearance at Earls Court 99.  She’s already a winner.