“The exterior features my wife and I like most are the two helms and the mainsheet traveler arch. As this design contributes to a voluminous cockpit with a full enclosure, creating a great space no matter the weather! “
Eclipse, Hunter 49.92′
Interview with the Captain – Rob Daziel
About the boat
Why did you choose to buy a Hunter?
The Hunter 49′ is a quality boat built by Hunter in what is considered the companies best production years. Many of the forward-thinking design features they introduced in the mid-2000’s are found in current designs of today. Carrying the beam farther aft, headroom throughout the boat, and rigged/equipped to single hand makes it very comfortable and easy to manage for a couple.
What other kinds of boats did you consider before buying this particular model (and how did they compare)?
Being a bit of a sailboat “junky”, I was always “looking” at different sailboats to understand features, etc. in our next boat. When my wife and I decided we wanted to move up from our 36-foot center cockpit I did not actively consider many boats. We briefly looked at two different catamarans, but we were drawn to the value of the Hunter 49′. I looked at one in Annapolis, MD and the other in Mystic, CT. Eclipse just seemed to fit what we were looking for in a well-equipped yacht, in very good condition.
How did you come to find/locate her before purchasing (and what’s the boat’s history if you know it)?
We found Eclipse online. A 2007 model with less than 200 hours on the engine, and 35 hours on the generator really intrigued us. She was docked and maintained at the same marina in Mystic, CT since the original owner bought her, and he took very good care of her. Eclipse was being represented by the broker who sold her when first commissioned to the original owner.
What features/improvements have you added or do you plan to add?
I’ve added an 800-watt solar array to reduce the reliance on the generator. Replaced the original TV with a smart television. Added synthetic teak to the cockpit floor, complimenting the existing synthetic teak on the seating areas. The only other planned improvement is a water-maker when we get closer to being a liveaboard.
What are the features you like most about your boat?
The exterior features my wife and I like most are the two helms and the mainsheet traveler arch. As this design contributes to a voluminous cockpit with a full enclosure, creating a great space no matter the weather! The walk-out transom is great for boarding our dinghy and swimming. The roller reefing main and jib, multiple electric winches, and continuous mainsheet make the boat very easy to single-hand. For the interior features having 3 staterooms, 2 heads and separate shower stalls with 6’ 9” of headroom throughout, the beam running aft, and a lot of natural light make it very spacious below. Equipped with 4 refrigerators, 2 of which can be set as freezers, allows us to provision for any length of trip. The washing machine/dryer combo is a nice feature too!
Who first introduced you to boating/sailing?
My father first taught me on a sailing dinghy on Long Island Sound, and my grandfather on an O’Day Day Sailer when I was young child. The summers of my childhood were spent sailing Sunfish, Day Sailors, and Rhodes 19’s.
Do you belong to a yacht club or other boating/sailing organizations?
No, just Boat US.
What boats have you previously owned?
Bought a Sunfish after I graduated college and trailered it to multiple lakes and bays along the New England coast. Moved up to an O’Day Mariner, a Macgregor 25 & a 26, two different Catalina 27’s, and then a 1986 S2 Yachts 11.0C that I bought on Martha’s Vineyard in 2012. We kept her for 7 years before buying Eclipse in the fall of 2019.
How do you typically use your boat over the summer, and where do you go?
We spend most weekends on our boat and take a few longer trips in the summer. Our youngest daughter of four just entered her freshman year in college, so this summer was the first without lacrosse, which led to more time on the boat. We enjoy The Cape and Islands. For quick trips we like Annisquam, Gloucester, Rockport, and Boston. As time frees up, we will likely make some trips to Maine and further south to Block Island. As retirement approaches, we plan to liveaboard for most of the year and head to the Bahamas and Caribbean during the winter.
What is the biggest challenge you have in servicing your boat?
I’ve always tried to service my boat myself. With Eclipse it’s gotten more complicated with multiple refrigerators/freezers, heat-A/C, multiple chart plotters, radar, and other instruments things have gotten more complicated, so I’ll keep on learning. Of course, the shear size of the boat leads to a longer winterization regime and spring commissioning.
Do you have any notable boating resources you use?
I find the Eldrige Tide and Pilot Book and the Water Way Guide useful.
Do you have any advice for those looking to buy a Hunter like yours?
Nothing specific to Hunter, but if you are moving from a boat with limited electronics and an ice box like I was to a fully equipped large boat, spend as much time with manuals and your surveyor as you can. I was lucky and had a very knowledgeable surveyor who took the time to take me through all the systems on the boat. The selling broker was very experienced as well and provided a shake down run in addition to the surveyor sea-trial that made it easier for me to become familiar with a more complicated vessel. The boat handling was the easy part but learning how to operate the systems took some time.
What’s the story behind the boat’s name?
As the second owner of Eclipse, I did not name her, nor do I understand the meaning behind the name. And, I never change the name of a boat – LOL!
CHECK IT OUT
Click the gallery below for more photos and information about Eclipse!
