Hunter is part of Luhrs Group, which also makes the Luhrs, Mainship and Silverton brand powerboats. Hunter took advantage of the powerboat engineering experience at its sister companies to help optimize the hull's performance under power. For example, it was Luhrs engineers who designed the chines on the hull, optimizing them to develop lift and reduce wetted surface area for planing, while enhancing maneuverability under power. In tests, the boat reached planing speed in 5.7 seconds. The boat has standard hook-ups for tow ropes, so all owners need to get wakeboarders started is a good floating tow rope.

HUNTER MARINEBelow, a v-berth is forward and double bed aft.

Down below, there are two sleeping areas: a v-berth forward and a double bed aft, under the cockpit. The interior has nearly 6 feet of headroom with a folding table that neatly covers the centerboard trunk, with cushioned bench seating to either side. Aft along the starboard side is a small galley, with a separate head to port. The interior is fully finished and nicely trimmed in wood. The windows of the deckhouse add a lot of light to the interior and open to let in fresh air.

Hunter engineers came up with a special hatch design for the Edge, a large double-hinged "Easy Entry" sea hood that opens halfway for conversation and fully for fresh air and easy access.

One of the distinctions the Edge has in the marketplace is its complete outfitting. It won't take much more than a Mariner Package from Hunter to head off for a weekend cruise. That package adds a bow roller, lighted compass, one-burner stove, swim ladder and Tack Tick T100 knot & depth meter. Some of the other attractive options are a pressurized water system, Bimini top, roller furling headsail and cushions and stern rail seats in the cockpit.

THE COMPETITION

The only boat on the market that could really be considered competition for the Edge is the MacGregor 26, a very successful trailer-sailor that also crossed over into the powerboat realm.

Several thousand MacGregor power-sailers have been built over the years. The latest incarnation of this boat is a foot shorter in waterline length, about a foot narrower at the beam, lighter and with a sail plan that is 30 square feet smaller than the Hunter. The MacGregor carries significantly more fuel – 24 gallons vs. 6 gallons – than the Edge, though motoring speeds seem to be comparable. The MacGregor specifications say the boat can reach 22 MPH with a 60 HP engine (odd because the boat is only rated for a 50 HP engine).

On the other hand, MacGregor developed a rotating main mast for the 26 that will undoubtedly improve the performance of the main sail, due to the reduced turbulence and smoother flow over the first third of the sail.

Perhaps the largest differences in the two boats come in the price category. The MacGregor 26 has a list price of $21,500, which only includes the mainsail. The Edge lists for $32,990 with full sloop rig and with some standard features that are optional on the MacGregor. Both boats come standard with aluminum trailers. Neither boat's list price includes the engine.

Hunter is recommending Evinrude's E-TEC line, while many MacGregors are powered by Mercury Marine BigFoot outboards. Suffolk Marine, a Long Island Evinrude dealer, sells a new 2007 75 HP E-TEC with a 20-inch shaft for $7,260.

It seems fair to say that a MacGregor buyer would likely spend as much in the end as an Edge customer by the time both boats were comparably outfitted. Hunter is betting the higher level of standard equipment will be attractive.

Indeed, the challenge of selling new sailboats in the current climate is significant. Only about 11,800 sailboats were delivered last year, compared to about 22,500 in 2000, according to statistics from the National Marine Manufacturers Association. While the reasons for the decline are as varied as the people who cite them, one thing many experts agree on is that the best tactic to counter the trend is to find ways to simply get customers on the water.

For young families, that means addressing barriers to entry such as cost, time involved, and the utility of the investment. Hunter's answer was to design and build a radically new boat for the company, one that blurs the line between sailboat and powerboat and is priced for consideration by entry-level buyers.

"The Edge is the perfect solution for motor boaters who want to try sailing," Peterson said, "and for families who cannot agree on what type of boating is best for them at this stage of their lives."