I'm the new owner of a Hunter 170. I've sailed her several times up in in New England but I've now moved to Virginia. And therein lies the problem. The draft at the new marina I use is so shallow that the staff there recommend a motor to get me out of the "pond" into the estuary and the Potomac River. An outboard seesm like overkill and the expense is outrageous. I notice in the sales brochure that the boat depicted has what I think is an electric motor. So, what kind of electric motor? How much power? Any ideas on rigging it (distance from motor to the battery compartment in the bow seems to exceed the length of most cables I've seen). Appreciate any help. JD
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
S
Sean Coerse
What marina
I keep my boat on the bay now but used to race small one designs out of National Sailing Marina. I've also sailed out of Pilot House and a couple of others on the Potomac. What marina are you at? I've never sailed an H170 but have sailed similar boats. I don't know I would want to put a motor on a boat that size. Is using a different marina a possibility. Sailing small boats like that is a great way to build skills. I have sailed my H240 in the slip as the result of being to lazy to top of the gas tank. Wasn't difficult because of all the practice doing it on smaller boats.
I keep my boat on the bay now but used to race small one designs out of National Sailing Marina. I've also sailed out of Pilot House and a couple of others on the Potomac. What marina are you at? I've never sailed an H170 but have sailed similar boats. I don't know I would want to put a motor on a boat that size. Is using a different marina a possibility. Sailing small boats like that is a great way to build skills. I have sailed my H240 in the slip as the result of being to lazy to top of the gas tank. Wasn't difficult because of all the practice doing it on smaller boats.
J
Jim Maroldo
How about this?
The Nelson Sailing Center here in Island Heights, NJ uses electric trolling motors in their Pearson Ensign (22 ft) boats. These keel boats are not light, but the electric motor is perfect for getting in & out of the marina area. As for the battery leads, you shouldn't have a problem. Don't think "jumper cables". Just run some heavy gauge stranded marine wire (commonly available in bulk from most marine suppliers) from your battery compartment to the transom. I can't give much advice on the power you'll need, but I can't believe you'd need more than 40 lb thrust just to get you out into the channel. Enjoy! Jim Maroldo s/v: Lil' Wass Ett
The Nelson Sailing Center here in Island Heights, NJ uses electric trolling motors in their Pearson Ensign (22 ft) boats. These keel boats are not light, but the electric motor is perfect for getting in & out of the marina area. As for the battery leads, you shouldn't have a problem. Don't think "jumper cables". Just run some heavy gauge stranded marine wire (commonly available in bulk from most marine suppliers) from your battery compartment to the transom. I can't give much advice on the power you'll need, but I can't believe you'd need more than 40 lb thrust just to get you out into the channel. Enjoy! Jim Maroldo s/v: Lil' Wass Ett
B
Bill
Motors
We have ours at Bolling AFB. While we do have an outboard on it (2.5hp), the marina rents 170s without any outboards. It's a narrow entry/exit to the marina, but doable without an aux. Potomac is pretty shallow up this way...watch the tides closely. Fair winds, Bill
We have ours at Bolling AFB. While we do have an outboard on it (2.5hp), the marina rents 170s without any outboards. It's a narrow entry/exit to the marina, but doable without an aux. Potomac is pretty shallow up this way...watch the tides closely. Fair winds, Bill
C
Crazy Dave Condon
How much HP?
since the 170 came out, all you need is a 2 or 2 1/2 hp motor. I do not like the ones that when you start the motor, the prop is turning. It is dangerous. I have resorted to 31/2 hp motors by Tohatsu/Nissan as they have a neutral and forward selection. you may want to look at Honda, Yamaha, etc to see if they have a 2 hp that has at least a forward and neutral. If it has reverse, then great. Under no circumstances put on a 4 hp or greater. The thrust would be too much for the outboard motor bracket. The other alternative is an electric trolling motor and the problem is the battery storage. I have put or installed a compartment that is ventalated for battery storage which you might want to consider as I have heard the batteries were put up forward and who knows where else. Crazy Dave Condon
since the 170 came out, all you need is a 2 or 2 1/2 hp motor. I do not like the ones that when you start the motor, the prop is turning. It is dangerous. I have resorted to 31/2 hp motors by Tohatsu/Nissan as they have a neutral and forward selection. you may want to look at Honda, Yamaha, etc to see if they have a 2 hp that has at least a forward and neutral. If it has reverse, then great. Under no circumstances put on a 4 hp or greater. The thrust would be too much for the outboard motor bracket. The other alternative is an electric trolling motor and the problem is the battery storage. I have put or installed a compartment that is ventalated for battery storage which you might want to consider as I have heard the batteries were put up forward and who knows where else. Crazy Dave Condon
J
Jeremiah D. Canty
Thanks for the Gouge!!!
Hey, Great gouge. Thanks for the responses, it's very good of all of you. I have a good deal on where I store the boat--at Fort Belvoir, but I may just try and use different ramps in the area. I went out yesterday at the Pohick State Park Ramp, but there was absolutely no wind--I made 2 knots for about 30 seconds, and then sailed for about 2 hours at 1/2 (as in a half) a knot!!! I heard the Washington Sailing Marina was good. I'll also check out Bolling--though i don't reverse the trailer that well yet. Having a blast though. if you guys think of anything else let me know. Thanks again--JD
Hey, Great gouge. Thanks for the responses, it's very good of all of you. I have a good deal on where I store the boat--at Fort Belvoir, but I may just try and use different ramps in the area. I went out yesterday at the Pohick State Park Ramp, but there was absolutely no wind--I made 2 knots for about 30 seconds, and then sailed for about 2 hours at 1/2 (as in a half) a knot!!! I heard the Washington Sailing Marina was good. I'll also check out Bolling--though i don't reverse the trailer that well yet. Having a blast though. if you guys think of anything else let me know. Thanks again--JD
S
Sean Coerse
Washington Sailing Marina
If i remember right Washington Sailing Marina does not have a ramp. They use electric hoists. You need to have a bridal for your boat to use the hoists. I was out this weekend on the inlaws power boat in your area. Alot of boats out and about. Another ramp in that area is a park between Quantico and Pohick. I think its called Leesavania. It's a nice facility and puts you right out into the river. No narrow channels to deal with.
If i remember right Washington Sailing Marina does not have a ramp. They use electric hoists. You need to have a bridal for your boat to use the hoists. I was out this weekend on the inlaws power boat in your area. Alot of boats out and about. Another ramp in that area is a park between Quantico and Pohick. I think its called Leesavania. It's a nice facility and puts you right out into the river. No narrow channels to deal with.
C
Chuck
I like the 2hp Honda
I use a 2hp Honda on my 170. I recently sailed out of a tidal bay in Cape Cod and it was sufficient to push me against a fairly strong outgoing tide. Normally I use it to get away from busy launch sites quickly so I can raise the sails where I don't have to watch out for someone bumping into me. The Honda is 4 cycle, so you don't have to deal with mixing gas and oil. It also meets all the environmental regs. I decided that I didn't want to deal with securing and wiring a battery.
I use a 2hp Honda on my 170. I recently sailed out of a tidal bay in Cape Cod and it was sufficient to push me against a fairly strong outgoing tide. Normally I use it to get away from busy launch sites quickly so I can raise the sails where I don't have to watch out for someone bumping into me. The Honda is 4 cycle, so you don't have to deal with mixing gas and oil. It also meets all the environmental regs. I decided that I didn't want to deal with securing and wiring a battery.
S
steven schneir
i use a 2.5 hp merc
the 2.5 hp merc powers my 170 adequately. i would like neural and reverse, but that's only available on the next size up motors, which would be fine if not so expensive. i don't like electric motors.
the 2.5 hp merc powers my 170 adequately. i would like neural and reverse, but that's only available on the next size up motors, which would be fine if not so expensive. i don't like electric motors.
A
Alan Long
Honda 2
The 2 hp Honda has a centrifugal clutch that disengages the propeller at idle and re-engages as the rpm increases.
The 2 hp Honda has a centrifugal clutch that disengages the propeller at idle and re-engages as the rpm increases.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.