“Every time we visit the Newport boat show we come home with a new boat,” says Cindy Cuminale, who lives in Darien, Connecticut, with her husband Jim.
Their most recent trip to Newport was in 2017, when the couple began searching for a larger yacht to replace their Eastbay 50. They headed straight to one builder’s display to see a new 60‑foot model but left disappointed with its layout. As they continued along the docks they discovered Hunt Yachts, a marque they already respected for its deep‑V hulls and seafaring pedigree.
“We knew the Hunt name and the long history of the Ray Hunt deep‑V, but seeing the build quality and finish in person at the show really sold us,” Cindy says.
At that time Hunt offered offshore cruisers at 55 and 72 feet, but the Cuminales had a “sweet spot” slightly over 60 feet — a size they felt they could still handle without a full crew. They wanted a long‑range cruiser built for comfort and safety that would let them travel farther and spend more time aboard. By chance they learned Hunt was launching an Ocean Series of expedition‑style yachts.
The Ocean Series included a 76 and a new 63, both penned by Ray Hunt Design in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and commissioned in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, where Hunt Yachts is co‑located with parent company Hinckley Yachts. The new line blended Downeast styling with an athletic deep‑V hull designed for efficient, confident passagemaking, plus the premium owner service associated with Hinckley.
Although the 63 was still in early development, the Cuminales committed to Hull No. 1 and became active participants in the design process. “We couldn’t see a finished boat when we placed the order,” Cindy explains. “Instead, we helped design it from the ground up, and we’re proud of our input.” Being the first of the model, the build took about two and a half years. When their Hunt 63—named Defiance—arrived in the U.S. from Taiwan last spring, the couple were delighted with the result.
Jim and Cindy’s life together has revolved around boats. They met in Greenwich, Connecticut, and started boating before they were married. “Boats have always been central to our lives because we spend most of our time on the water,” Jim says.
They began as sailors, then moved to powerboats after their daughter was born and time became more limited. Over the years they progressed from a 17‑foot bowrider to a Chris‑Craft 31, a Legacy 34, a Sabre 42 and then the Eastbay 50. “We climbed the ladder slowly and enjoyed every step,” Jim says. For decades they’ve cruised each summer, often heading east from their homeport to destinations such as Narragansett Bay and Martha’s Vineyard. With their Hunt 63 they plan to extend their range — Sarasota, Florida, is one of the longer‑term goals.
Back in 2017 they realized the Eastbay would soon feel cramped, especially if their daughter and her husband joined them. “A larger boat made sense,” Cindy says. “We also wanted the freedom to cruise in marginal weather and not be stuck at the dock.”
The Cuminales chose the Hunt 63 for its proven deep‑V running surface, a Ray Hunt design with a reputation for tracking well and maintaining speed in rough conditions. Most of the powerboats they’ve owned featured deep‑V hulls, and this 63 felt perfectly proportioned, offering significantly more length and beam than previous boats. “It slices through the water beautifully,” Jim says. “We’ve taken Defiance into some rough seas and she handled them with ease.”
The Hunt 63 hull was designed around twin 1,350‑hp Volvo Penta D13 diesels paired with IPS pod drives, a propulsion package that yields a top speed around 32 knots and an efficient fast cruise of about 27 knots with a range near 390 nautical miles. For long, economical passages the engines can be throttled back to 10 knots for a range roughly around 1,000 nautical miles, giving the owners flexibility to cruise fast or slow depending on the trip. “We briefly considered a semi‑displacement 60‑footer,” Jim notes, “but we knew we’re 20‑knot cruisers, not 10‑ or 12‑knot people.”
Owners can helm from the lower salon station or the flybridge, where sightlines are excellent. To make docking and close‑quarters maneuvering simpler, the Cuminales added a wing station in the cockpit. For roll and pitch control they chose Humphree Interceptors rather than a gyro, preserving valuable under‑galley space for a pantry and dry storage. “We didn’t want the Seakeeper under the galley sole because we needed that volume for provisions,” Jim explains. “We worked closely with the design team on those decisions — it was a highly collaborative, semi‑custom build.”
Interior accommodations were carefully planned. The Hunt 63 is available with three or four staterooms plus a crew cabin; the Cuminales selected the three‑stateroom arrangement with the galley down amidships. This layout separates a full‑beam master suite amidships from a forward VIP, while the third cabin opposite the galley was customized to function as a flexible lounge with a convertible settee, table and television. A pocket door separates the lounge from the galley when privacy or separation is desired, and when opened the spaces combine into a large entertaining area.
“We met regularly with Peter Boyce of Ray Hunt Design as he modeled the boat in 3D CAD,” Cindy recalls. “Watching the design evolve layer by layer was like building a house — only with radar, navigation and marine systems included.”
Throughout the process they made countless choices: a custom galley layout, adjustments to the helm to suit Jim’s preferences, and a curved staircase from cockpit to bridge that increases usable cockpit space. “This is our first flybridge cruiser,” Jim says. “A lot of flybridge boats look top‑heavy, but the Hunt stays sleek. We love the lines.”
The interiors, designed by Martha Coolidge, were a focal point for finishes and storage planning. Cindy and Jim worked closely with the designer to choose fabrics, furnishings and fine details down to drawer pulls and pillows. “She was a huge help,” Cindy says. “Our previous boats always looked like boats; the Hunt feels like a home.”
It took time to refine the layout across all three levels of the 63, but the result is a versatile yacht: comfortable for three couples on an extended cruise, yet capable of entertaining up to 20 guests. Most important to the couple is the combination of thoughtful interior design and a reliable deep‑V hull that will carry them quickly and safely to new destinations.
This article was originally published in the November 2020 issue.