Catalina 16.5 vs Hunter 170

[Rod]

I'm looking to purchase my first sailboat. I'm leaning toward a daysailor because I'd like to be able to trailor it to a wide variety of lakes in my area. I've searched the archives here and found some comparisons between the H170 and the C16.5. Most of those revolved around the self-bailing capabilities of the boats.However, in the Hunter forum there are a lot of complaints about turtling and tippiness of the 170. I understand there is the risk of tipping and turtling with any daysailor, but these complaints are not noticeable in the Catalina forums.Is the C16.5 a more stable boat?Rod

 

[tomD]

it may be other factors

These two boats are nearly identical in specifications: beam, weight, sail area, waterline. Both are rigged similarly. As far as tenderness goes, it may not be the boat but the kind of entry level sailor who buys the boat. Both of them look like a great start, but really, get a second hand "whatever" from your local sailing area, and you'll pay less, likely get lessons from the previous owner, and may have just as much fun. I everyone is after the H-17 maybe there's something to it, one or two naysayers may not represent the boat but speaks volumes about the sailors.

 

[Dave M]

Review of Daysailers

Sail Magazine December issue tests seven different daysailers, including the C 16.5 (I think they did the smaller Hunter, though).Lots of good stuff.But I second the 'buy a secondhand 'whatever is popular in your area' suggestion. Lots of cool little boats can be had for not too much $$$.