and percent of battery left. It also tells you number of hours you have left at current rpm, and how long you’ve been running the engine on the latest start up (trip). An interesting aspect of the electric engine is the “power boost button.” Like a shot of nitrous to a car engine, pushing the boost button on the Hunter 27e at full throttle will “give a power boost to the motor output up to 50% for emergency situations.” Of course this comes at a cost in battery reserve, but nice when you need it. The boat is set up for couples
and family sailing. Sheet winches and traveler are within easy reach of the helmsman for singlehanded or shorthanded sailing. With a helmsman at the wheel and someone in the rear seats in the stern pulpit, that can a bit of weight in the back of a 27’ boat. The arch for the T-Top and energy package is over the helmsman so watch you head when going aft. The light, flukey winds of Lake
Union gave us a good idea of how the boat will perform in our summer conditions. The boat moved as expected with a 110, not as nimble as a sport boat but very pleasing for a family boat. We tacked through about 90°, and shifting crew weight to give the boat a little heel in the light air helped her find her groove. Using the sheet leads on the cabin might improve pointing, we were on the outboard jib tracks. Along with the roller furling
headsail, pretty standard on boats these days, the Hunter 27e comes with an easy to use lazy-jack integrated mainsail cover for easy mainsail raising and lowering. Down below is a standard set-up,
with vee-berth up forward, settees and table in the salon. With three tall guys on the boat, we appreciated the 6’2” headroom. Lights are all LED for less current draw. Aft of the starboard settee is a L-shaped galley, with a two burner stove - one burner is electric and one propane. Below the sink cabinet, in a slide out tray is the refrigerator, a very nice use of space. Farther aft is a double berth athwartship. Across from the galley is a walk-in shower and, either a port-o-potti or standard marine head. Since the boat isn’t using fuel, there
is no need for a fuel tank. However, the Northwest dealer chose to leave the tank in, to be used to hold kerosene for
Salon has is 6’2” in salon. Batteries for power are positioned under settees. Refrigeration cooler is hidden under the sink and accessed via sliding tray.
a heating system. Or, the tank could hold diesel to run a generator for those that want to insure the batteries can be charged anywhere. A bit off theme but it’s an option. We enjoyed our sail on the Hunter
27e. It is comfortable in the cockpit and down below. The option of going green does come with a higher price tag. However, after decades of listening to, and being vibrated by, diesel engines, the silence and simplicity of the electric power was illuminating, not to mention the environmentally friendly aspect. Hunter and Elco seem to have
addressed the practical issues that come with a new system and no doubt we’ll be seeing the electric option on all sizes of boats very soon. Just as we’ve anxiously watched
the evolution of the hybrid cars, we’ll keep an eager eye the Hunter 27e and how she fares in our Northwest waters – we believe she will fare well, and so will the environment. For more information visit:
http://www.huntermarine.com/ www.ElcoMotorYachts.com www.marinesc.com
Hunter 27e Specifications
Length Overall Hull Length
Waterline Length Beam
Draft – Shoal Draft – Deep Displ – Shoal Ballast – Shoal Ballast – Deep
Sail Area: Standard Furling
Headroom Water Capacity
27’4” 27’0” 23’7” 9’11” 3’6” 5’0”
7,656 lbs 2,052 lbs 1,901 lbs
Mast Height – From Waterline: Standard Furling
39’9” 43’8”
386 ft Sq 369 ft Sq 6’2”
20 gal
Batteries–Zero Maintenance AGM 6x12V 214 AH
Inboard Engine – ELCO AC Electric 10HP CE Classification
B/4 48° NORTH, MARCH 2011 PAGE 47
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