News/Events > Awards > NMMA Award     Hunt Harrier 36 Wins NMMA Innovation Award     South Dartmouth and Boston, MA -- Hunt Yachts introduced the Harrier 36 express cruiser, designed by C. Raymond Hunt Associates, at the Miami International Boat Show (February, 2003). Only days after its completion, it was evaluated by a distinguished and experienced panel of judges who selected this handsome, high-performance sport cruiser as the 2003 Winner of NMMA’s Innovation Award for inboard powerboats. That a limited-production semi-custom yacht achieved this award recognizes the combination of style, comfort, detailing and performance exhibited by this design. Hunt Harrier 36 delivers 40-knot (46 MPH) speed with twin Yanmar 440 diesels, each driving a 4-bladed prop. The latest Hunt thinking in their legendary deep-V hull form and a length-to-beam ratio similar to today’s offshore raceboats make this a secure, dry and runnable ride - even at high speeds when sea conditions roughen. Whether for fast passages offshore, for sportfishing, for trips where waters can turn rough without warning, or just for head-turning jaunts, this yacht excels. To make such performance sensible, the hull exploits the latest materials and construction techniques for a higher level of strength. Uni-directional E-glass and epoxy resins are vacuum-bagged and oven-cured to assure optimal bonding and maximum strength without extra weight. Airex hull coring adds to this lightweight strength yet provides flexibility to help overcome impact loads in rough-going; Airlite is used similarly for the deck and superstructure. And carbon fiber is used on longitudinal stringers to increase bending resistance. Many of these building techniques were drawn from aerospace construction.Some have likened the Harrier 36 to a Bentley Turbo-R: it’s not just her speed and strength, but her refinement, style and amenities which produce a true luxury cruiser, a sportsman’s yacht worthy of admiration anywhere. From stem to stern, this boat is filled with good ideas, styled with sophistication, detailed with the best hardware and choice woods, and beautifully finished with varnished trim and Awlgripped hull.There are too many features and details for an exhaustive list, the completeness of which was instrumental in the yacht’s selection for the NMMA Innovation Award. But a few examples will indicate the depth of thinking which went into creating the Hunt Harrier 36. Among these are the SOLEX glass windows: the windscreen is curved for better optical results and for the sleek, curved, "muscular" appearance; to maintain consistency, the side windows, deck hatch and ports are also executed in the solar green SOLEX glass.The helm station is designed to place instruments close to operator’s sight-lines for “heads-up” navigation and control. The dashboard and entire instrument tower hinges out for quick, open access to the backs of all components and wiring; the instrument panel is removable; switches are right at hand as breakers, reducing the complexity of wiring; and a locker in this system is thoughtfully included for storage of all the instrument covers.The helm seat is electrically operated to help reduce strain. The companion seat, also electrically operated, powers down and swivels to become an extension of the L-settee; in its raised position facing forward, it has an adjustable footrest. Even the cushions are high-tech, made with three types of foam for the right firmness and support yet soft enough for superb comfort.As an express cruiser, where most entertaining is on deck, the Harrier features an on-deck galley and bar opposite an L-shaped settee with a pleasingly shaped cocktail table that features a marquetry inlaid top. Both the bridgedeck and the interior cabinetry include a number of special features that help keep everything shipshape and easy to use, even when motoring at high speed.The entire bridgedeck, complete with all these features, covers the engineroom. For total access, the entire bridgedeck can be opened with powerful, electrically actuated hydraulic rams. Above the bridgedeck area, owners can specify tops, ranging from soft, to Marlin tower to hardtop and sedan configurations. Aft, the lower cockpit has been designed for flexible use, whether for diving, tournament fishing, additional seating (the hull shape efficiently deflects spray, so guests can sit here without getting drenched underway), or carrying a dinghy.Such refinement would be incomplete without a similar attention to detail below. Forward is a full queen-sized berth, surrounded by well-defined storage and unusual, but useful details. These include flush-mounted velvet-lined bedside boxes for such items as skipper’s watch and companion’s jewelry. The bureau offers five drawers, mounted on ball-bearing extensions for easy opening to their full, extensive depth. A seat is provided for reading or dressing. And a great variety of bins and lockers supports the idea that an owner of such a boat will wish to carry a full inventory of personal effects.The interior is exquisitely detailed and crafted, using laminated and fine-grained woods with elegant hardware and lighting, noticeably more refined than treatments in most production yachts. For example, the large head has Corian counters, stainless fixtures, and finely finished woods. Just as the hull shape pampers those aboard while running, all these details below pamper the owners when the vessel is at rest.In spite of all of this elaborate attention to detail, there is little doubt that the Hunt Harrier 36’s first impact is her latent muscularity. This is no vessel to trifle with: her extraordinary performance, her proven speed with secure handling, and her stunning good looks are more than enough reason to attract the most experienced owners and to leave the host of other boats in her wake. That owners are encouraged to adjust the details to suit their own individual taste is just the icing on this cake.