Hunter Marine has a reputation as a builder of boats for sailors who favor creature comforts over performance. Some recent models from the company have been described as "floating condos." Say what you will, this strategy has propelled Hunter to a leading spot in the U.S. sailboat industry in terms of boats sold on an annual basis.

However, with the hiring of Glenn Henderson several years ago as chief designer and engineer, company CEO Warren Luhrs signaled that Hunter is increasing its attention to better performance. Despite being an experienced long-distance cruiser, Henderson carved his reputation as a performance-oriented designer whose creations have fared well on the racecourse. …