HUNTER MYSTERY 35
PRICE £50,000-£225,000 YEAR 2003-PRESENT
In 2002 Hunter Boats UK asked renowned designer, Stephen Jones, to create a yacht with classic looks, high sailing performance and ample cruising accommodation. The result was the delightful Mystery 35.
A spoon bow, counter stern and gentle sheer lends her an elegant appearance that easily fulfils the first requirement. The second was accomplished by giving her shallow underwater sections, fine bows, a deep, profiled, lead-ballasted fin keel, highaspect spade rudder and a fractional rig with powerful mainsail. She also has solid
GRP below the waterline, foamcored topsides and end-grain balsa sandwich decks.
The third prerequisite, however, was not so easy. Although she has sufficient volume and stowage, having the waterline of a modern 27-footer and a relatively narrow beam makes it a tall order to fulfil.
On descending the companionway steps you land between the galley and navigation station. The former has plenty of work surface, a deep sink, pressurised hot and cold water and ample stowage. The forward-facing nav station has a good chart table and plenty of space for instruments. Behind this there was a choice between a spacious quarterberth or a second, deep cockpit locker.
The saloon is narrow by modern standards, but straight settees make ideal sea berths, as do the optional pilot berths. The former are 2m long with stowage under each as the water and fuel tanks are
positioned forward and aft.
The drop-leaf table seats six in comfort and, while the joinery is a little rudimentary, overall quality is good. The heads are compact and forward of the saloon and the forecabin is narrow, but adequate with a reasonably roomy vee-berth. Ventilation is via six opening portlights and two hatches.
The tiller-steered (wheel optional) Mystery has a practical layout with a long, narrow cockpit, a deep locker, tall coamings and a generous afterdeck.
The Mystery has a simple, practical deck layout with the unusual feature of being able to walk around her superstructure unimpeded, thanks to her generous afterdeck and narrow cockpit.
The quality of deck gear is good and controls are led aft, though the Lewmar 42ST winches are used for halyards, single line reefing, kicker, outhaul and jib sheets, so the seven clutches each side are essential. The standard rig is a 7/8ths fractional with twin spreader mast, adjustable backstay and rigid kicker, and three slab reefs in the large mainsail. The 110% genoa is on a furler with a below-deck drum.
The 18hp Yanmar (27hp option) with saildrive and folding two-blade prop means under power she spins around her keel as well as any modern hull.
Under sail she is light, precise and entirely predictable. She’s a pleasure to sail and stands up to her canvas well in a blow. Motion in a seaway is calm yet resolute, her deep bows carving through the waves with ease.