1978 Hunter Sonata 7

CONSTRUCTION: GRP

YEAR: 1978

DIMENSIONS: LOA 22′ 11″ (7m), BEAM 8′ 6″ (2.6m), DRAFT – plate up 2′ 7″ (0.8m) – plate down 4′ 11″ (1.5m)

KEEL TYPE: Stub keel with swing down plate (will sail with plate up or partially down)

COLOUR: Blue with white superstructure

INTERIOR: 4 berths in 2 cabins with toilet and galley

ENGINE: 6 hp Mercury long shaft outboard with single lever control

RIG TYPE: Fractional Bermudan sloop

MAST/SPARS: Aluminium

SAILS: Slab reefed mainsail, bi-radial genoa (both by Crusader, 1998), storm jib and spinnaker (as new)

EQUIPMENT: Internal: The boat has a good cockpit with seating to either side and lockers across the transom. In the main cabin, there is a full length settee berth to port, behind which there are shelves for storage and books, and under which there are a number of good lockers. Opposite, there is a further settee berth and the galley. The settee has storage lockers below it and custom-made lockers behind it. The galley has a small, gimballed, cooker (two burners and grill), a stainless steel removable sink with manually pumped cold water, cupboards, fiddled shelving, etc. In the forecabin there are two further single berths (can convert to a double), a glazed escape hatch and a Simpson Lawrence 400 sea toilet. As in the main cabin, there is storage space under these berths. Upholstery throughout the boat is in a patterned dralon and is in excellent condition, as is the rest of it’s décor. Navigation equipment includes: Plastimo bulkhead compass, Navico tiller autopilot, NASA Stingray VHF, NASA speed and distance log, NASA echosounder, NASA wind speed and direction indicator (sender needs some attention), clock and barometer, and navigation lights. Safety equipment includes: Fire extinguisher, fire blanket, horseshoe life buoy. External: The boat is fitted with stainless steel pulpit, pushpit, stanchions, guardlines, grab-handles, hatch runners, etc (in fact, all of the original wood deck fittings have been replaced with stainless steel). She also has a sprayhood (1995), dodgers and a fitted sail cover. Mast lowering is made easy with an A-frame and Hunter mast lowering tackle (with larger than standard pulley blocks). All control lines are led back to the cockpit and she has an adjustable backstay. Ground gear includes: Danforth anchor and chain. She comes complete with boat hook, ropes, fenders and a storage cradle.

REMARKS: It is understood the vessel’s upholstery was renewed in 1997. The boat, and it’s engine, are alarmed. She has a charging circuit on her engine and carries a 78 a/h leisure battery.

OUR OPINION: A very comfortable boat, and one that is understood to sail well.