h170/Novice Sailor advice
Hi Michael,Congratulations on finding this fine website and for asking good questions. I think part of the answer to your question about whether the 170 would be a great first-boat lies in the usually prevailing wind conditions at P Priest and Land Between the Lakes. I used to live in BNA and can't recall how strong the avg winds blow day to day, month to month, but I'll say from experiences with my 170, that she's a very energetic, exciting and often adrenaline inducing boat in a breeze. Sudden puffs can cause many a 170 sailor to literally scramble to put her tiller upwind, or spill the mainsail and jib. "For her size" (and appearance --wide, deep freeboard) the 170 is a very responsive boat, and WILL capsize if mistakes are made on a heavy day (or if the wind speed increases gradually, suddenly or undetectedly). I LOVE my 170, and would not trade it, but some novice sailors might find their hands more than full (running main and jib singlehanded) in conditions that are even slightly more than the hull can stably handle. I'd wholeheartedly recommend you use mainsail alone for several outtings when/if you first sail the boat. Singlehanding in breeze above 15, I furl up the jib and run main alone. If the wind climbs above 20, I reef the mainsail-- a reduction in power of 20% or so?? So what I'm saying is, the 170's sailplan is (gulp) too powerful for the 170's hull, at times. She's a gorgeous, fun, very responsive and intriguing boat (everyone at the boat ramp comes over and asks about this boat), but she'll make you respect all that sail, and her efficiency at converting that lift to forward motion, and wasteful (and unease-inducing) heel. Another great attribute of the 170 is that her weather helm is almost unresistable if she heels up too hard or her sails are overpowering her too much. Release the tiller just a little bit, and the boat will automatically round up into the wind-- this is a safe move so long as you're real 'close to the wind'.I am going to go out on a limb and also recommend that you look at other daysailers such as the Catalina 16.5 (I think one model features a shallow fixed (ballasted) keel) or a Flying Scot. These are also very roomy like the 170 (not as pretty or easy to swim from though, etc.), but are far less responsive (read: tippy).I sail Lasers too, so I'm used to going in the drink and have no fear of it, but I just wanted to share upfront that you (and presumeably your son) might end up taking some impromptu dips while learning the manners of the 170. I guess part of my acute awareness re: tippyness of my 170 is that I have her outfitted with a four stroke outboard, groundtackle, handheld VHF radio etc., and would prefer not to dip the above items!Anyway, great luck to you in your sailing endevours and we're glad you're joining the sailing ranks. More questions about personal impressions of the boat?, just email me.Also, if you're ever in central FL, email me and I'll literally take you along on a sail in our boat.MGAlachua, FL