How long is the sailing season for your H170?

[D. Silvera]

I'm considering a purchase of a Hunter 170 or equivalent daysailor for use on the chesapeake in and around Annapolis. For those of you with experience, how long is the reasonable sailing season on this boat? Is it dry enough for moderately choppy days, so that I can sail in cold water and not return miserable? Please share your experiences!Thanks,Dan

 

[John Kivel]

memorial day to labor day?

I live in Michigan and sail mostly on inland lakes. I have found it to be a pretty dry boat in <15 mph of wind. 15MPH is about my comfort limit. I have had it out in wind much stronger than that, but I would not want to do it in cold water, esp in Sept or October when the Nestea Plunge is just not going to be refreshing! j

 

[Dick in MI]

June thru September for me

although much depends on the weather.

 

[D. Silvera]

thanks for the info...

But this sounds too similar to the sailing season of something like a hobie cat. Why should I choose a 170 over a fast, roomy catamaran if I can only sail it when the temperature is 70 and above?I guess I'm trying to optimize fun AND length of sailing season...

 

[John Kivel]

different strokes

I thought about a hobie before I bought the 170. The hobie is a much wetter ride. I would take out my 170 out in weather that I would not sail a hobie. In most of the last 6 years October has been reallly nice around here (Michigan). We have had our children in the wading pool on November 1st. This year has been well below normal. There was ice in the bird bath the last two mornings. I am still hoping to go sailing before the season in out, but I am starting to believe that I will not. The two boats are as different as night and day. If the hobie is what you want, fair winds and god speed. You might get a couple extra sailing days a year if you went with the hunter, which in my mind does not justify getting the boat that you don't want.j