Georgian Bay Today, Issue 116, Spring 2017<\/p>\n
“Hunt Yachts are a legendary boat manufacturer with a strong following on Georgian Bay for over 60 years. The new Hunt Harrier 25 is now locally available through Payne Marine of Pointe au Baril. The unique \u2018Deep-V\u2019 hull design of this boat makes it the ideal standard for the waters of Georgian Bay. Mark Payne believes that it will continue to be popular because of \u201cthe supremacy of everything that you could want in a boat: soft ride, dry,
\nand seaworthy.\u201d<\/p>\n
To understand the genesis and evolution of this craft, you have to go back to 1960 and the grueling, 185 mile offshore race from Miami to Nassau known as the \u2018Miami Nassau Ocean Power Boat Race\u2019 \u2013 the most rugged boat race in the world. A boat called \u2018Moppie\u2019 with a revolutionary Deep-V hull design was in that race. Sailing writer and lifelong power boat skeptic, Carleton Mitchell, was aboard the Ray Hunt designed Moppie along with the boat\u2019s builder, Dick Bertram, a legend in his own right.<\/p>\n
In a Sports Illustrated (SI, 1960) article, Mitchell described the water conditions on that day as \u201cheavy seas of the open ocean and the punishing
\nchop of the Bahama Bank\u201d and \u201cthe spray from the bow wave jetted out like water from a fire hose fanning sheets of water 50ft to either side
\nthat blew off to leeward like heavy smoke.\u201d<\/p>\n
Moppie was equipped with twin 275 hp Interceptor engines, facing fresh winds of 20 knots. She averaged 50mph @ 4100 revs on both engines
\nand crossed the finish line in 8 hours – to the minute \u2013 a new record. Only 13 of the starting 23 vessels completed the treacherous 3-leg course across the Gulf Stream to Cat Cay, to the shallows of the Bahama Bank to Frazier\u2019s Hog Cay and finishing in the port of Nassau. On that day, 57 years ago, the legend of the Deep-V hull began. It was \u201ca remarkable demonstration of the efficiency of the Hunt design in rough water.\u201d (Mitchell, SI 1960).<\/p>\n
The Deep-V hull Moppie was a combination of a brilliant revolutionary design by self-taught designer C. Raymond Hunt of Marblehead (sailing centre of New England), and the craftsmanship of boat builder Richard H. Bertram of Miami \u2013 both legends in the industry. The underwater form of Moppie
\nwas unusual in that the hull was \u2018V\u2019 shaped not only forward but all the way back to the transom. A series of longitudinal stakes were added to help lift the boat onto plane, increase stability and decrease the tendency to roll. The design was conceived in the 50s by Ray Hunt, proven in the 1960 race and evolved into the original \u2018Bertrams\u2019. Hunt\u2019 Yacht\u2019s current version, the Harrier 25, has since benefitted from decades of incremental improvements. According to Hunt Yachts, \u201cOur 50 years experience has taught us how to make it better. Our hulls have more deadrise forward, finer water lines, robust and sharp edged chines and strips, and generous flare. We put the ride first and the housekeeping second, so on the unpredictable
\nocean, you will be comfortable and confident, in all seas.\u201d<\/p>\n
There is much more to the Harrier 25 than the Deep-V. Mark Payne points out that it is, \u201cthe efficiency, functionality and utilitarian features\u201d that make it the best choice for getting to the islands of our archipelago. It features a comfortable V-berth below the closed deck for overnight getaways; it is watertight and has enormous storage space. It seats an amazing 12 passengers and is self-draining. Best of all, as Mark says, \u201cit\u2019s safe and the ride quality is unparalleled.\u201d<\/p>\n
Payne Marine is the Hunt Yacht representative for Ontario: a third generation, landmark business in Pointe au Baril. Current proprietor, Mark Payne, \u201cgrew up in the business, started by cutting grass and pumping gas.\u201d The business had humble, but proud beginnings. It was started by Mark\u2019s grandfather Vince, a Toronto watchmaker, and Mark\u2019s father, Mike, in 1960. They began with nothing more than a dilapidated building and a chicken coup. The first priority was to build a house to survive their first winter. As the business grew, they added a gas tank to their hand-dug trench and a repair service. The gas was brought in by barge from Parry Sound. It wasn\u2019t until 1967 that they cut a road into Payne Marine. By the time Mark was \u201c14 or 15\u201d, he had \u201cdecided to follow the family tradition,\u201d and after graduating from high school, completed a three year Marine Management Program at Georgian College.<\/p>\n
Today, Payne Marine is a full service, award-winning marina offering: parking, dockage, storage, sales, service, gas, and a popular dockside Fish n Chip business offering fresh pickerel on their licensed patio. But for Mark, it is more than a business; it is a lifestyle. It is all about community and trust. He was an executive of the local Islanders Association for many years and volunteered for 11 years as an emergency responder. In his words,
\n\u201cone way or another, I\u2019m kind of on call 24 \u2013 7.\u201d For many years, he lived”on the marina property with his wife Laurie and daughter Haydyn and
\n\u201cknows everyone, intimately.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bringing the Harrier, and full Hunt Coastal Series to Pointe au Baril is more than a bold business move by Mark Payne; it\u2019s personal. It\u2019s about the unique design, character and history of the boat and the passion that surrounds it. It boasts, \u201cvintage styling\u201d and the \u201cteak detailing turns heads while the high performing Hunt Deep-V hull turns on a dime,\u201d (Hunt Yachts). In addition to the Harrier 26 closed deck series, Mark will carry the Centre Console 26 and 32 as well as Surfhunter 32 model.<\/p>\n
It was the \u2018test of the sea\u2019 in that 1960 race that triggered the success of the Deep-V hull. Races of that type are much more than publicity
\nstunts; they contribute to the evolution of boat design by testing them under severe and competitive conditions. In the words of Carleton
\nMitchell, after the famous victory of Moppie: \u201cnot only had lessons been learned from the design of the winners but also from those forced
\nto turn back. Just as road racing has improved the stamina and performance of the family automobile and offshore yacht racing has brought about healthier cruising boats, so this race of powerboats across open water from Miami to Nassau has resulted in more seaworthy and dependable family
\ncraft, able to get safely back to port if caught in a storm.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Harrier 25 is the perfect craft for passage on Georgian Bay: safe, dry, comfortable and practical – with an illustrious heritage, after all, it
\nconquered the punishing chop of the Bahama Bank and made a convert of sailor Carleton Mitchell.<\/p>\n
To arrange a sea trial on the Harrier 25 contact Mark Payne at Payne Marine in Pointe au Baril. 705 366 2296.”<\/p>\n