HE WANTED TO TRAVEL THE SEA
It was a humongous jump. The owner of a Hunt Harrier 25 was so pleased with the craftsmanship and handling of his boat that he commissioned a Hunt Yachts Ocean Series 80, the builder’s 80-foot flagship “sport motoryacht.” His inspiration was another big step: a desire to take long-range cruises with his family.
Outside Spaces
Hunt calls the Ocean Series 80 a “sport motoryacht” for a number of reasons. Chief among them is more usable exterior space when compared with a traditional motoryacht.
For Lounging
The expanded open aft deck and the large outdoor deck abaft the enclosed flybridge are both noteworthy. There’s plenty of room for lounge chairs near the grill station in the evening and for toys during the day.
For Moving Around
Wide walk-around side decks allow easy all-around access (cleats inset along the teak toerail prevent busted feet). A walk forward ends at the foredeck, which has a large, cushioned sun pad and bench seat — ideal for a day on the hook.
For Views
The cockpit layout is unorthodox. Extra exterior space allows for a centered, varnished wood table with a long settee forward, facing aft.
For Shade
A split settee runs across the aft rail, divided by a cabinet with fiddled tabletop. The flybridge overhang shelters it all.
The Muscle Within
The term “sport motoryacht” suggests speed, and the 80 Ocean Series can reach the neighborhood of 30 knots. That’s pretty impressive for a vessel displacing 140,000 pounds fully loaded. With her deep-V hull form designed by the team at C. Raymond Hunt Associates, the 80’s signature underwater shape delivers a fast, comfortable ride in even the most onerous conditions. Of course, she also owes much of her speed to twin 1,600 hp, 10-cylinder MTU diesels coupled to Hamilton 651 water-jet drives. This allows for a relatively shallow, Bahamas-friendly, 4-foot draft.
LOOKING FOR THE MATCHING TENDER?
The recently introduced Hunt 32CC, powered with 330 hp outboards, could make a solid little sister to the 80. This day boat possesses the same level of fit and finish. She has the legendary Hunt deep-V hull form, with some noticeable flare adding a hint of drama to her profile. The gold cove stripe and arrow that defines the Hunt Yachts logo accents the dark blue hull. When Yachting recently ran the 32CC in Newport, Rhode Island, our test guru Kevin Falvey described the boat this way: “Even at speeds in excess of 50 knots, the ride is comfortable and acceleration muted, and I feel eminently in control.”
All Within Reach
A gracefully curved wooden staircase ascends to the 80’s climate-controlled enclosed flybridge. Here, a soft leather bench seat offers panoramic views while the captain commands the ride from one of the twin Stidd helm seats. The glass helm features three 19-inch Furuno displays for charts, radar and video. A console includes controls for the Hamilton jets, Side-Power bow thruster, FLIR thermal-imaging system and Böning monitoring system touchscreen. Just overhead are switch panels, bilge monitors and the Seakeeper stability system controls. A Simrad autopilot control panel is installed in a helm chair’s armrest. Wing stations are positioned aft so the captain has good all-around visibility when docking.
INSIDE SPACES
We can sum up the interior in one word: grand. Martha Coolidge Design chose teak cabinetry accented by light-tone fabrics and overhead panels. “The goal,” Coolidge says,“was an elegant interior with a fresh feeling.”
For Dining
The owner plans to cruise with extended family, so the 80 Ocean Series needed multiple dining areas. It’s why the yacht has a breakfast nook with twin swing-out bar stools, a forward table to starboard and a coffee table in the salon.
For Meal Prep
Port side, the galley can be enclosed by a sliding pocket door and accordion panels. Large side deckhouse windows afford a continuous and open feel inside, and the chef can prepare a feast without disruptions.
For Stowage
Hunt’s design team uses every inch of available interior space for stowage. Cabinets and drawers line the outer walls. Of note is the pullout bar stowage, with inserts that cradle bottles or glassware, discreetly built into a cabinet.
For Sleeping (Master)
A staircase forward leads to three staterooms. The master is full beam, amidships and conducive to being more than just a sleeping area. A settee to port is a great place to relax with a Kindle. A vanity to starboard with swing-out stool can double as a workspace; the cabinet top is deep enough for a laptop and printer. Stowage in the master rivals what many people have at home, with deep drawers and cedar-lined closets.
For Sleeping (Guests)
The forepeak VIP stateroom has a center island berth with sconce lighting and twin hanging lockers. An en suite head includes a good-size shower stall with tile floor. The third guest stateroom comes with twin bunks and head. For crew, aft quarters include a double berth in the captain’s cabin and an additional bunk cabin.
