Hunter 170 Spinnaker Install

[Jmonserrate234]

Hello,

I’m looking for advice on installing the spinnaker kit on my hunter 170.
I live in Florida and I recently purchased a 2003 Hunter 170. It’s in really good shape and doesn’t have any cracking in the ACP hull. I’ve read about the dreaded ACP cracks, and it came with an incomplete spinnaker kit and I am debating whether to purchase the rest of the kit and install it or not.

My concern is the ACP cracks. My boat is in really great shape, but I’m worried that if I start drilling into the hull to mount the hardware, then it could make the hull more likely to crack, and so I’m just not sure if it’s worth the risk and I should leave it as is, or whether I should commit to it and set it up for spinnaker sailing.

Anybody have any experience with this and have any insight?

Javier

 

[stickinthemud57]

No direct advice on the installation of a spinnaker kit, sorry.

I used to own a Hunter 170 and dealt with a lot of cracking, but mainly around stress points. I installed an anchor locker at the cubby in the front. There were various stress cracks already in that area, but drilling holes for the the locker sides and cover did not result in those cracks growing to those new holes, nor did I observe any cracks originating from those holes or other places where holes were drilled to install hardware.

The typical remedy to stop a crack is to drill a hole at the small end of the crack, so I would not expect that drilling a hole to install hardware by itself would become the origin point of a crack.

If the hole was drilled roughly or with too much pressure, I could see that possibly causing enough stress to start a crack. In any even, I would be mindful of how well the mounting plate for new hardware would spread out the load.

Crazy Dave, what say you?

 

[CurtisC]

Javier,
I've got an 18 that came with the spin kit so not up on a 170 install but would think backing plates bedded in adhesive where ever possible. I have an access port in the forward bulkhead for access to bow sprit pole mount hardware. I would recommend at least 3-5 degrees mast rake, and to adjust spreaders to their maximum aft position. This will help offset the added forward force on side shrouds due to bigger head sail. Also use your boom vang which helps your mainsheet function as a little bit of a backstay. Recommend 3/16 - 1/4 in lightweight line for sheets and auto ratcheting blocks.
Good luck, it will definitely spice up your time off wind!

 

[stickinthemud57]

Curtis mentioned adhesive. You may already be aware that Plexus is the adhesive of choice for the Luran plastic hulls. Fiberglass and epoxy resins won't stick.

 

[Jmonserrate234]

Thank you all for your responses. I appreciate you all trying to help me out. I didn't know that the way to stop the cracks from expanding was to drill a hole into the crack, so that's great feedback, I'd assume that drilling the hole itself then wouldn't likely actually create the cracks. Still not sure how the screws would hold up under load, but only one way to find out right? Also, thank you for clarifying which adhesive works best for my model.

 

[stickinthemud57]

You are welcome. Just to clarify the hole-stopping-the-crack thing, the proscribed method is to drill the hole right at the end of the crack, the idea being to interrupt the point of cleavage. I can't recall there being a recommended size. I made mine around 1/8th or 3/16ths of an inch.