Lowering the boom on hunter 170

[Photoman369]

On a hunter 170 2002
i am wondering can you lower the gooseneck on the mast so the boom and the sail will be lower. I am thinking this would help stabilize the boat and keep heeling down?
I realize I would now have to duck when I tack etc.. but I think it would be a good trade off. Any ideas on how much would make a difference in heeling?

Also would it adversely affect other issues on the boat? Not point as well or un balance the jib and main.

What are your thoughts.
Has anyone every done this on a 170 or any boat?

 

[BobbyFunn]

Whatever you end up with it would be pretty sweet to be able to reverse it.

Be better to sell and buy a different design. People buy that boat because they dont want that boom whacking onto people. Its not for racing or the acp hull.

Sounds like you have advanced enough in you sailing skills and you are ready for some singlehanding.

It shouldnt make much of a difference and it should be slower afterwards. Heel is like heat on an engine. Its wasted energy. The 170 is overpowered for its weight. It really needs better hiking out improvements and or a 150 lb centerboard to convert that higher sailplan torque into more forward, less heel action.

I feel your pain brother. Its rare to not reef that thing.

 

[BobbyFunn]

Also, check out the Ideal 18 sailboat. It is a "bluewater" version of the 170. The big difference...the Ideal has 700lbs of keel. Slightly more sail area and can handle a spinnaker. Class rules during racez forbid hiking out i believe. Sail area to displacement is 41% less than 170 even with increased sail.

Almost untrailable though and best day rented since a crane hauls them out.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

The 170 was a favorite of mine but advocated a fiberglass hull vs ACP. Either way boom height was set so one would not have to duck. I told my customers sailin flatter you would sail faster thru sail control. Boat came standard with a furling jib at my recommendation. Not sure if reefed main was standard but it was with my boats that I sold

 

[Photoman369]

Thank you both. And easy trailer and easy in and out was a priority.
I tend to sail flatter anyway. Not a big fan of adrenaline anymore with being on the edge of too far.
I read that the job is best for light wind and that over 10knts wind to furler it in and use main alone. And it does fine.
Wanted light air easy single handing but room when other want to go. This seems to fit it.

I’ll post how sailing is going after I have been out a few times.

 

[BobbyFunn]

If you trailer lots get some trailer guides for the sides. Absolute dream putting the boat back on trailer with those.

My sons and I dont even go out for less than 10knot. Especially with summer. Get the crew involved with hiking, and youll get up on plane with 15kt plus. The jib is amazing. Id rather instal a second reef rather than sail with just main. But it is very easy to sail with just the main.

Are you gonna lower boom or you still need to try out the boat?

Dwyer Mast has all the parts you need for any issues that come up, including a new gooseneck.

 

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[Crazy Dave Condon]

BobbyFunn
Read the responses The fellow is older and wants to enjoy a leisurely day of sailing. This is what the focus of this design was all about because I was asked to be involved when the 170 was on the drawing board.

I applaud you for your experience but for the inexperienced I do not recommend hiking out.

I still suggest that those looking for parts for masts go thru SBO for the time being as I have been told Dwyer was recently sold

 

[BobbyFunn]

Yeah, i got the hunter to learn and continue to use the 170 as a learning and test platform. Ive gone from "terrified" to "why is there a stern wave, adjust the jib trim!" I wasnt implying everone should be aggressive, just that, it can be treated more like a high performance dingy successfully.

With both sails up in winds over 5-8 knots this is NOT a leisurely sail for total crew weighing less than 250 lbs.

10kt used to be my cut off for doing something else thst day, even with 4 bodies on board.

Thats why this is a confusing boat. Its marketed as a family friendly sailboat and it meets that goal in winds less than 8 knots.

If the wind is over 8 knots you best get used to sailing it like its a Lightning with a flatbed.

Thats when the 170 bites back and the bad reviews start coming in, since there is no hiking, trapeze or heavy centerboad. The sailboat is "leveraged" at higher windspeeds. Meaning risky, you get to plane or pick up some speed versus a keeled Ideal18, but the tradeoff is you need to be a ninja with crew weight. Dont take on crew for weight unless they can move quickly. Slowmo's will pull you under just as fast.

Did not know that about dwyer. I did notice that all of my parts for rigging appear to have been procured from there.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Use to sail upward to 18-20 but you are so right about experience like you said. May I invite you to explain in depth how you hike out but please include all safety but making a note for experienced only.

Once I regeled a cockpit on a 26 and told the owner to stay off the boat. Did he? No and he sat down on the seat and his pants bonded with that seat. 22 years later I still ask if he wants to recreate that scene

 

[BobbyFunn]

Dave, there is no special process for hiking out. There is a bench along cockpit that has a backrest. Above that is the rounded surface that leads back down to deck seam rub rails.

Hiking means putting feet on the centerboard housing bump and sliding up the back rest until my rump is on that gunnal. Im usually holding the mainsheet so i dont go over. Its somewhat risky.

I am thinking about adding a strap but not sure how to add it. I see the mainsheet block is mounted with an aluminum backing plate in the centerboard housing so i could duplicate that but i dont have access for backing plates elsewhere.

Sliding up and down the back rest hurts at nighttime and the rounded gunnal isnt big enough to stay on for long. With that i give up on the hiking strap idea and bribe sons with good food afterwards so they can crew next time.

Id make a 150lbs centerboard out of sheet mettal then give it a naca faring, but not sure if those 4 bolts underneath will hold the centerboard in the long haul.

The wife likes the high boom and would never go out in a boat without a backrest for sitting.

 

[Photoman369]

If you trailer lots get some trailer guides for the sides. Absolute dream putting the boat back on trailer with those.

My sons and I dont even go out for less than 10knot. Especially with summer. Get the crew involved with hiking, and youll get up on plane with 15kt plus. The jib is amazing. Id rather instal a second reef rather than sail with just main. But it is very easy to sail with just the main.

Are you gonna lower boom or you still need to try out the boat?

Dwyer Mast has all the parts you need for any issues that come up, including a new gooseneck.

I hope to Get out tomorrow. I’m going to try with boom where it is. I was thinking out loud. I have roller jib so I’ll roll it up a bit at a time when needed.
I’ll let you know how it all goes. And I will be adding the trailer guides I’m surprised it didn’t already have them.