In my quest for a new (replacement) boat, I still have some questions about the H170. I appreciate previous responses. I realize the H170 is a daysailer, but -- does the cockpit stay reasonably dry? I recently sailed a JY14 with my son (clearly a different kind of boat), and we had water in the cockpit floor the whole time from the drain hole. But, assuming two or three adults on a H170, and not significant waves, do you still get water coming in the transom, or is it high enough for this to be infrequent. Thanks again.
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Very dry boat
I can't say that I've ever had any water at all in mine. You always get asked the question because of the open transom. I suppose if a jet ski went a few feet behind you some water would come in...but it would immediately go right back out. I consider mine to be essentially totally dry.
I can't say that I've ever had any water at all in mine. You always get asked the question because of the open transom. I suppose if a jet ski went a few feet behind you some water would come in...but it would immediately go right back out. I consider mine to be essentially totally dry.
Water in the cockpit?
This is a very dry boat. I have had mine out in all conditions and the only time I had any water in the boat was coming back into the harbor with a large following sea and a wake from a very large boat. The water only came in about 8" from the end of the transom. Even when there is spray coming over the bow of the boat it doesn't get into the cockpit. You will not find a dryer boat. Get the hunter. Brian
This is a very dry boat. I have had mine out in all conditions and the only time I had any water in the boat was coming back into the harbor with a large following sea and a wake from a very large boat. The water only came in about 8" from the end of the transom. Even when there is spray coming over the bow of the boat it doesn't get into the cockpit. You will not find a dryer boat. Get the hunter. Brian
Dry
Yup I agree. Very dry. If I sit on the edge of the transom and dangle my feet in the water, a slosh will occur. I thought it would be different too, but it's very dry. Went out today with my son, back from US Marine training, and wondered too if water comes in.
Yup I agree. Very dry. If I sit on the edge of the transom and dangle my feet in the water, a slosh will occur. I thought it would be different too, but it's very dry. Went out today with my son, back from US Marine training, and wondered too if water comes in.
Drains well too
I have had mine healed over enough that the rail was buryed pretty deep. It is amazing how quickly the cockpit is bone dry when you settle back down. Fortunately I have never had anything on the floor at those times (usually there is a pepsi around my feet somewhere). very dry boat. John
I have had mine healed over enough that the rail was buryed pretty deep. It is amazing how quickly the cockpit is bone dry when you settle back down. Fortunately I have never had anything on the floor at those times (usually there is a pepsi around my feet somewhere). very dry boat. John
The dry's have it
Lee, Although based in central Florida, my wife and I often trailer our 170 up to the St Johns River south of Jacksonville FL, and the intercoastal just south of St Augustine. There, we're sailing with 60 foot sportfisherman boats (the big ones with tuna towers, twin CATs, the whole bit) and the occassional 85 foot (drug-cartel style) superyacht (although I'm sure the owners are on the up and up). I have turned head-to-wave to wakes kicked up by these stinkpots and have not once had water come close to coming over the bow-- a couple times these boats were surfing the gap between displacement and planing mode, and kicking up their tallest wakes. I've also had a similar monster pass astern of my 170 and, when the boat did take only a little water in through the transom, it drained back out with the next wave trough. This boat is amazingly well designed on the transom. Folks at the ramp can't fathom how it doesn't sink out there with the big boats. -As for hard breezes/sailing close to windward-- I've only a few times been slightly sprayed as the bow sliced waves --- this being in 15+ knot breezes with whitecaps and the main reefed. The 170 may be small, but it can handle itself well. Best of luck with your decision, Mike G.
Lee, Although based in central Florida, my wife and I often trailer our 170 up to the St Johns River south of Jacksonville FL, and the intercoastal just south of St Augustine. There, we're sailing with 60 foot sportfisherman boats (the big ones with tuna towers, twin CATs, the whole bit) and the occassional 85 foot (drug-cartel style) superyacht (although I'm sure the owners are on the up and up). I have turned head-to-wave to wakes kicked up by these stinkpots and have not once had water come close to coming over the bow-- a couple times these boats were surfing the gap between displacement and planing mode, and kicking up their tallest wakes. I've also had a similar monster pass astern of my 170 and, when the boat did take only a little water in through the transom, it drained back out with the next wave trough. This boat is amazingly well designed on the transom. Folks at the ramp can't fathom how it doesn't sink out there with the big boats. -As for hard breezes/sailing close to windward-- I've only a few times been slightly sprayed as the bow sliced waves --- this being in 15+ knot breezes with whitecaps and the main reefed. The 170 may be small, but it can handle itself well. Best of luck with your decision, Mike G.
Mast Float
You should get a mast float for the 170. Looking at the Hunter web site on the 170, they sell it as an option. You can get your own mast float for probably less money by using a boat fender instead of getting it from Hunter. Whenever a boat manufacturer sells a "Mast Float" as an option, it means that their daysailor is prone to capsize with a tendency to turn "Turtle", the mast float will keep it from remaining upside down when you capsize it. Fair Winds, Clyde
You should get a mast float for the 170. Looking at the Hunter web site on the 170, they sell it as an option. You can get your own mast float for probably less money by using a boat fender instead of getting it from Hunter. Whenever a boat manufacturer sells a "Mast Float" as an option, it means that their daysailor is prone to capsize with a tendency to turn "Turtle", the mast float will keep it from remaining upside down when you capsize it. Fair Winds, Clyde
Mast float
We have all, in our day sailing club, foamed our masts. Works great. We recently ran over a dozen capsize drills to test the theory of roaming the mast and it worked beyond our expectations. More to come on how to do it. Brian
We have all, in our day sailing club, foamed our masts. Works great. We recently ran over a dozen capsize drills to test the theory of roaming the mast and it worked beyond our expectations. More to come on how to do it. Brian
Tell us more/mast foaming
I second Lee's motion-- please send mast-foaming procedures- I just can't bear to replace my Windex with a Hobie float... Mike G.
I second Lee's motion-- please send mast-foaming procedures- I just can't bear to replace my Windex with a Hobie float... Mike G.
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