Hunter Legend 50 Built To BOC Spec Ocean Racing
Powerhouse Ocean Cruiser
- Boat REF# · 334341
- LOA · 49'3"
- Year · 1988
- Construction · GRP
- Underwater profile · Fin
- Berths · 7
- Engine · 1 x Diesel 27hp, Yanmar 3HM ()
- Lying · Milford Marina
This boat is off the market but here are some boats that are still For Sale
Extra Details
| Designer | Warren Luhers |
|---|---|
| Builder | Hunter Marine Corporation FL |
| Lying | Milford Marina |
| Fuel capacity | 21.6 G Total - 1 Tanks |
| Holding tank capacity | 43.1 G Total - 2 Tanks |
| Last survey | 14/10/2020 |
Mechanical
| Engine | 1 x Diesel 27hp |
|---|---|
| Engine make and model | Yanmar 3HM () |
| Engine Hours | Not Recorded |
| Engine Cooled | Indirect |
| Steering | Tiller |
| Drive | Shaft |
| Prop(s) | Folding 2 blade |
| Fuel consumption (approx) | 0.2 G /hour At Cruising Speed |
| Cruising speed (approx) | 5 knots |
| Engine spares |
|---|
Dimensions
| LOA | 49'3" |
|---|---|
| LWL | 45'11" |
| Beam | 13'9" |
| Draft Min | 9'10" |
| Draft Max | 9'10" |
| Displacement | 22.1lbs |
| Headroom | 6'7" |
| Storage | On marina |
Rig
Sloop rigged Seldon Aluminium spars (1988) with stainless steel standing rigging (2023)
Sails
| Mainsail | - Slab () Stack Pack, Lazy Jacks, |
|---|---|
| Headsail | - Furling () |
| Other sails | 2nd Main sail () |
| Storm Jib () |
| Spinnaker gear |
|---|
The main and Genoa are both found to be in good used condition, with plenty of remaining life.
Electrical Systems
12 volt battery, 240 shore power voltage, 2 batteries charged by: engine, solar panels, shore power
Construction
| Construction | GRP |
|---|---|
| Underwater profile | Fin |
| Finish | Gelcoat finish |
Warren Luhrs, co-owner of Hunter and a sailor at heart, created Hunter Marine in 1973. In 1986, seeking to improve Hunter's image as a reliable sailboat manufacturer, he had the idea to produce a special boat to fly the flag for Hunter Boats on the international ocean racing stage. That boat was Sky Catcher!
Sky Catcher is a very special sailing vessel. She was built to represent Hunter Marine's USA capability. Built in the Hunter factory, the motivation was to show off a Hunter yacht as a tough, performance vessel—a yacht capable of withstanding some of the most punishing ocean conditions while achieving competitive speeds for the time.
The custom aspects of her were designed in-house under the guidance of Hunter's resident naval architect. The hull and deck were laid up in the standard Hunter 45 molds.
Custom laminate schedules were employed using balsa coring. The utmost care was taken in all phases of the build. She was not vacuum bagged, and there were no port cutouts in the deck.
At the time, Hunter was at its peak and had 400 employees, with seven production lines running at full capacity. Sky Catcher came through the plant "off-line," with the best teams and craftsmen assigned to her.
As she lay in the mold, a custom strongback was glassed over massive wood timbers that traversed from bow to stern. The huge hull rings, spaced every 4 feet, were glassed over foam.
When the boat left Hunter, it had a standard transom. The sugar scoop and storage box were later modifications.
The creation then, an unbelievably tough performance ocean racer. And now, as tough as ever, although refined for comfortable ocean cruising and ease of shorthanded use.
Accommodation
| Total # of berths | 7 |
|---|---|
| No. of double berths | 2 |
| No. of single berths | 3 |
| Cabin(s) | 4 |
| Handbasin | 2 |
| Heads | 1 heads (Electric) |
Electric toilet fitted- New 2024
Accommodation
| Sink |
|---|
Electric toilet fitted- New 2024
Deck Gear
| Sail cover | |
|---|---|
| Warps | |
| Fenders | |
| Boathook | |
| Swim Platform | |
| Instrument Covers |
4 halyard winches
2 sheet winches
Electric windlass
1 anchors
(Bruce)
295'3" of chain
All winches are self tailing
Note- the dinghy featured in the photos and stowed on the foredeck is not included in the sale
Nav Equipment
| Compass | |
|---|---|
| Speed | |
| Log | |
| Wind | |
| Echo sounder |
Safety Equipment
| Life buoys | |
|---|---|
| Danbuoy | |
| Boarding ladder |
3 bilge pumps (1 manual / 2 Electric)
Broker's Comments
Boatshed Wales are delighted to introduce to the market, Sky Catcher! Launched by Hunter Marine in 1988, this yacht was purpose-built to be their premier ocean racing show boat. Crafted with an unwavering focus on strength and performance, she was designed to showcase the very best of Hunter Yachts on the international racing stage.
In 1993, Sky Catcher was extended to 50 feet for the BOC single-handed round-the-world race, a journey famously documented by Skipper Nigel Rowe in his book, Around the Big Blue Marble.
Once a fierce competitor, tearing across some of the world's most demanding stretches of ocean— including a lightning-fast Atlantic crossing where she approached 20 knots—Sky Catcher is now berthed in Milford Marina, West Wales, following a comprehensive refit.
Purchased by her current owners in 2020, she has undergone a complete rigging overhaul by professional experts. She now features a fractional rig with brand-new standing rigging, retaining her performance while making her an easier boat to handle.
Overbuilt yet light on her feet, with a deep fin keel, she performs superbly, particularly upwind. Her Yanmar 3HM engine is in fine running order, and operates as expected.
Mechanically, as well as in terms of rigging, sails, and deck hardware, she’s fully prepared. Inside, she has been transformed from a stripped-down racer into a comfortable cruiser, with much of the work already completed. There are a few final touches remaining, and we’re happy to provide further details on request.
Feel free to get in touch via email or phone for more information or to arrange a viewing—we highly recommend taking a closer look!
These boat details are subject to contract.
Note: Offers on the asking price may be considered.