A remodelled and entirely original Bates Starcraft, Hunter offers a large open cockpit with very comfortable seating coupled with a spacious comfortable forward cabin with galley, heating and forward loo compartment. This is a true weekender which was reimagined from the original layout by Colin Henwood in the early noughties. Since then she has had one other owner who has kept the boat in A1 condition. There is a useful canopy offering full standing height and enabling year round usage as well as a full length cover to protect the varnish. The teak decks are in fact unvarnished and benefit annually from a light rub down and a transparent coat of deck oil.
As you would expect the boat over winters at Henwood and Dean in nearby Hambleden whilst mooring in the summer in Henley where she can be viewed by appointment.
During the rebuild a refurbished Ford Watermota petrol engine was fitted to give the boat a quieter and smoother propulsion system than would have been the case with the original Perkins. Hunter has a current BSS and Thames licence as well as a full service history.
Bates Starcraft have their own club which meets annually at the Thames Traditional Boat Festival. Hunter is unique but bears the lines and pedigree of a Bates Starcraft. For more information on this iconic brand take a look at the Bates Starcraft owners club website http://www.bates-starcraft.co.uk/
You can also find out more about the craft Colin Henwood has built and remodelled in his own excellent book titled 'Head Heart Hand'. Colin is the current chair of the Wooden Boatbuilders Association