Hunter 170 Design Flaws?

[Calvin Smith]

I have purchased but not yet taken delivery on a 2000 Hunter 170. After reading several postings in this forum I am concerned that there may be some dangerous design flaws in the boat. 1. It appears that when headed by a gust of wind, the jib overpowers the main and turns the boat away from the wind causing the potential for going over. In this situation it also appears that the boat does not respond to helm. 2. If the boat does go over, it appears to turn turtle quickly. The centerboard retracts soon after she goes over. Worse, because of the great flotation it is almost impossible to get the boat righted in this situation. I guess I have several questions. Have any design changes been made to correct these problems? Would filling the mast with flotation and sealing it keep the boat from turning turtle? Does the boat actually go its own way in strong winds? I should say that I have and have been sailing a Flying Scot for over a year. I am getting the 170 because I have a bad hip and find it increasingly difficult to set up and handle such a powerful boat. The Scot does NOT have any dangerous design flaws and sails beautifully in heavy weather. Have I made a bad decision to move to the 170. Any comments will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Stephen Ostrander]

small boats

I been reading with amusement the string about the supposed"design flaws" of the 170. Now, I've never sailed a 170, but I have sailed Hobies, Sunfish, Lasers, Lightnings, and I owned a Buccaneer 18". If the 170 has a design flaw, then so does all of the aforementioned boats. Any small boat can turtle, and it can be very difficult to right them. Remember, this is a 17' boat. You can't expect it to behave like a boat twice that size. Its part of the fun and challenge of sailing a small boat. If you don't want to get wet, buy a bigger boat. I don't mean to sound like a wiseguy, It's just my opinion, and you can take it or leave it. Whatever you do, use caution and common sense, and wear a life jacket.

 

[Calvin Smith]

Get wet every time I take a shower

I am not so much worried about going over as I am about going over because the boat did not handle properly. On the other hand if the boat turtles and will not come back up without power assistance that is something to be considered.

 

[Bob Onya]

170 Sailing tips

I have quite a bit of small boat experience and have sailed the 170 in a variety of conditions. First, I would definetly suggest installing a reef point in the sail. It does not come with one standard and makes sailing the boat in big breeze much easier. Reducing sail when the wind is 15- 20 knots should be a "no-brainer". Also, I must disagree with the idea of not releasing the main sheet during a gust. Let it out when a puff hits and the boat will heel a lot less! Finally, Hunter now offers a "mast float" which can be attached to the top of the mast to prevent turtling after a capsize. Although I would consider it unnecessary as the boat is extremely difficult to capsize if A) you sail with a reef in heavy breeze, and B) you release the mainsheet in a puff. Don't let one persons bad experience spoil your fun!

 

[Paul Housman]

Design Flaw in 170

We sail a 140. Eventhough it is rated as a "dry" boat,we get wet. I've found this boat to be very forgiving of my mishandling. Have yet to go over but am thinking about installing precautions such as rope attached to mast so it can be pulled over and also flotation for the mast. Suggest you try to tip boat over intentionally with two people on board and practice righting her. Need one person to hold the mast up the other to pull from the other side. Do it close to shore.

 

[Been there]

Second Paul's and Stephen's comments

Sailing dinghies can capsize in a gust. That is part and parcel of small boats with crew as ballast. But they are bigtime fun! Keep a hand on the mainsheet, wear lifejackets if the circumstances suggest it, have a plan if the boat goes over, stop worrying, and go sailing.