Sail

Hunter turns 35 years old this year. It's amazing just how far they've come and what an integral role they have played helping sell the sport and lifestyle. How? Hunter has worked hard to build affordable, quality boats that were easy to own and, more importantly, easy to sail. This review on the Hunter 45 DS reflects a lot of what Hunter has learned over its 35 years in business. Co-founder, Warren Luhrs – a knowledgeable sailor – helped the company grow to a global brand with over 80 models launched from its design boards.

I get the boat's name...it is leading edge, but where, you ask, is it leading? This boat is a hybrid sport boat, cruiser, day sailor, trailerboat; it's got some neat features across all platforms that give it the easy to use Edge moniker.

Hunter has done a lot to get people into boats; the Edge is another indication that they are continually looking ahead. One senses that Hunter (a division of Luhrs) and its colleagues are challenging the status quo. Who would ever think a sailboat company would offer a powerboat hybrid. Well, it has and it's hit the mark with the Edge.

The International 14 is a dinghy for those who crave raw speed and have no need for practicality. The boat is small, wet, tippy, expensive, requires incredible agility to sail and is useless for picnics. So why does a cult-like group of sailors continue to worship it? I can attest to the fact (I have been there) that it is the blinding, put-on-your-goggles, scream-at-the-top-of-your-lungs, get-silly speed.

Island Packet set the benchmark for cruising yachts design almost from the get go. Their formula was to match the aspects of speed and comfort with performance, 'sailibility' and safety. Their new motorsailer extends this beyond their sail experience; they have another winner for sure.

We opened our 1984 Lake Ontario sailing season in early April with a test ride on a J/22 the new, small planning keelboat from J Boats, Inc. of Newport, RI. We discovered a fun, spritely yacht packed with performance. Launched in the United States for the 1983 season, the J/22 has been an instant success, with more than 360 boats sold south of the border in less than a year.

Canadian Yachting has done a lot of reviews of European boats of late but because of timing we have missed the Jeanneau boat line and have yet to review it. The builder is well-known and well-established and has been building boats for over 50 years. The line is well represented in Canada with Ontario-based Angus Yachts, Quebec’s Marina Gagnon and Fraser Yachts in BC.

Canadian Yachting was at Annapolis this year and walking down the main dock we were stopped in our tracks by several boats, not by their size or position but their look and feel. The Jeanneau 45DS is a great advertisement for the modern sailing lifestyle and it's no wonder as the show opened it was a popular stop on the dock.