More about turtling

[George H260]

I looked at all daysailers long and hard before I settled on the Hunter 170. One of the main reasons being: I've heard if you sail long enough, you will eventually capsize, and the dealer I bought my boat from said it was easy to right, and NO BAILING(!) due to the open transom- I don't mind the thought of turning the boat over, but trying to bail a swamped boat in less than ideal conditions (which, again, if you sail long enough, you may encounter) turned my decision to the 170.I've sailed my new boat all summer without turning her over but have wondered, if it does turn turtle, does the centerboard pivot back into the hull because of gravity?? It seems to me it would. I have a 2001 model so I assume that I have the heavier centerboard. Are there any 170 owners out there that can tell me how easy it is to right?

 

[Brent]

Secure centerboard down

As soon as my boat capsized the centerboard did fall back into the hull. On our boat there is a small rope, maybe 8 inches in length, with hooks at both ends that helps secure the centerboard up while trailering. It can be used to secure the centerboard down while sailing (and turtling) as well.

 

[Michael Stuart]

UnTurtle Impossible (almost)

I think the 170 is extremely difficult to right after turtling. I turtled some time ago and could not right it myself or with the help of a motor boat. Now, I have a Hobiecat mast float football at my masthead, and I've attached a floating line to my mast head to keep the boat from turtling, or to aid in unturtling it. I've also had reefing points installed in my main (and I have used them). If you are sailing solo in strong or gusty winds in the 170 (as I do since wife will no longer sail with me, and since my lake either has no wind or gusty/changeable winds due to surrounding mountains), I sail with the main alone. In a gust, the 170 will head up if the jib is furled. But in a gust with the jib out, the 170 will head leeward, heel and get knocked down. Good luck! _/)

 

[steven schneir]

Install the Football

I've never capsized or turtled my 170 in the two seasons i've sailed her, but after reading many horror stories about turtling, i installed the mast float just in case; plus i sail in water under 25 feet deep, with a 26 foot mast, righting it, even with the help a motor boat, would require unstepping the mast underwater.i'm a new sailor, so i try to only sail 12kts or less. without reefing, i'd be nervous in higher winds. i realy like the boat other than its flightiness in higher winds. i imagine when i get better with the boat and install reefing, i'll be able to handle the higher winds. i've read the boat is a blast on plane. The only problem i've had with the boat is the roller furler. I've had the top of the headsail unfurl on its own is stronger winds. enjoy

 

[Russ]

Don't cleat the mainsheet

I have had the best success in sailing the 170 by keeping the mainsheet firm in hand rather than cleating it. My crew (my wife) follows the same practice with the jibsheet. If there's an unanticipated puff or gust, it's quick and easy to ease out on the sheets and, if necessary, head up. So far, in the three years we've sailed her, we've avoided calamity and with this practice, the 170 is a very stable boat to sail in winds up to 15 knots. I do put in a reef above 12 knots or so.