Cruising World magazine has announced the Hunter 41DS as the winner in the Production Cruisers 40 to 44 feet category and the overall Best Value award as part of its 12th annual Boat of the Year Awards. The results are featured in Cruising World's January 2006 issue.
"These awards are a resounding endorsement of our recent effort to draw attention to the level of quality that the Hunter line has attained," said John Peterson, director of sales and marketing for Hunter. "The judges have a lot of experience and very high standards, so winning these awards really validates what our sailing research and customers are telling us."
Models introduced to the North American market between the 2004 and 2005 U.S. Sailboat Shows were eligible for the contest. Forty-two were entered into the competition, but only 26 were selected to be nominees. The nominated boats were then inspected and sailed by independent judges, who toured the boats at the October 2005 U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, and sailed them on Chesapeake Bay over four days.
The Best Value award takes into account the quality of the boat and the price. "The 41DS is a good package at a good price point that should retain its value over time," said Herb McCormick, editor-at-large for Cruising World.
In describing the Hunter 41DS, contest judge Ed Sherman stated: "I liked this boat a lot. It certainly represents a lot of bang for the buck. The systems upgrades over earlier Hunters I've looked at were just phenomenal. They've improved exponentially, in my opinion."
Judge Suzanne Giesemann noted the 41DS's outstanding interior brightness, ventilation, and design. "The ventilation was very good for a deck salon. Hunter has always been good at appealing to women buyers with layouts and interiors." she said.
The 41DS is a new version of Hunter's recently introduced 41 aft cockpit model, and sports an updated profile and roomier interior created by raising the deck to allow a taller and larger salon.
"Sailboat interiors are trending towards more open designs," said Peterson. "The 41's deck salon version has more panoramic views and greater visibility from the larger, elevated windows."
The new profile creates almost a "sport sedan" look for the 41DS, and its large polished-aluminum windows definitely set the DS apart from its sister ship. Inside, the headroom is a spectacular 6'10". The voluminous ceilings are covered with a light fabric called Whisper-Air™, which combines with the increased light entering from the sizeable new windows to produce a comfortable, bright and open feel.
The standard two-cabin version has an aft master stateroom with queen innerspring mattress, cedar-lined hanging locker, built-in vanity, and a dual-entrance head with shower; the forward guest suite has a wide double berth, built-in vanity, and private head with shower. A three-cabin version is also offered.
Galley highlights include a custom stainless steel refrigerator and freezer, dual sinks, pantry, gimbaled two-burner propane stove with oven, a glass-fronted lighted dishware cabinet and deluxe Corian® countertops.
The 41DS can be equipped for bluewater sailing with its HKT Kevlar® reinforced hull, composite rudder and stainless shaft, and winged shoal draft antimonius lead keel secured with stainless steel keelbolts, exterior hardware is comprised of durable marine brands: Lewmar® winches, Harken® traveler system, and Whitlock® steering.
