Hi. I'm considering a Hunter 170 and would be interested in hearing from current owners about your likes and dislikes and the boats strengths and weaknesses. Please tell me what kind of sailing you do (i.e. where and who). Thanks, in advance, for all your help.
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Michael
Think long and hard
I have a 1998 model 170. It is a beautiful boat. Perfect size for one person to handle. Easy to trailer, to set up, to take down, to beach, to dock and to launch. However it is, as they say, "tender", i.e., a strong gust of wind will make you jump up to the rail real fast, or swim you will! I sail in Candlewood Lake, CT which has gusty winds that change strength and direction constantly and drastically. I have come close to being knocked down a dozen times over the past three summers. But it was not until last summer (2000) that it actually happened. Not dangerous, it all happened slowly. But the water was a bit too cold and the sky was cloudy, so I got real cold, real fast. The boat turned on its side then turtled (i.e., keel up) and there was no way to right it on the water. I had to take it (with motorboat assistance) to a beach where I removed the mast, etc., then righted the boat. What a pain, and my outboard was damaged. Since then, I have purchased from Hunter and installed a HobieCat mast float to prevent turtling (I would advise the same) and I have had a reefing point put into my main sail (I would advise the same). I also think the centerboard should have more weight. But Hunter has never gotten back to me on that issue although I have asked. The 170 sails fast, but it is not a "family" boat (as promoted), unless you use the motor exclusively. My wife and 8 year old daughter will no longer sail with me for fear of a knockdown and a swim. Since the boat is the right size and weight for me to sail alone, I am keeping it (for now) and making various modifications in the hope that eventually all will be well.
I have a 1998 model 170. It is a beautiful boat. Perfect size for one person to handle. Easy to trailer, to set up, to take down, to beach, to dock and to launch. However it is, as they say, "tender", i.e., a strong gust of wind will make you jump up to the rail real fast, or swim you will! I sail in Candlewood Lake, CT which has gusty winds that change strength and direction constantly and drastically. I have come close to being knocked down a dozen times over the past three summers. But it was not until last summer (2000) that it actually happened. Not dangerous, it all happened slowly. But the water was a bit too cold and the sky was cloudy, so I got real cold, real fast. The boat turned on its side then turtled (i.e., keel up) and there was no way to right it on the water. I had to take it (with motorboat assistance) to a beach where I removed the mast, etc., then righted the boat. What a pain, and my outboard was damaged. Since then, I have purchased from Hunter and installed a HobieCat mast float to prevent turtling (I would advise the same) and I have had a reefing point put into my main sail (I would advise the same). I also think the centerboard should have more weight. But Hunter has never gotten back to me on that issue although I have asked. The 170 sails fast, but it is not a "family" boat (as promoted), unless you use the motor exclusively. My wife and 8 year old daughter will no longer sail with me for fear of a knockdown and a swim. Since the boat is the right size and weight for me to sail alone, I am keeping it (for now) and making various modifications in the hope that eventually all will be well.
M
MIke B
h17
There have been lots of posts here regarding this boat, many simiilar to the above, or previous, got to the archives and see what is here also find the portion of this site that has owners reviews, thats best, you can read what people do and think of boat, I know my wife would not be a happy person on this boat and she loves to sail our h23, just because it is in your budget does not make it a good deal , hunter is a good company , but this boat has a reputation as being tender, now watch sseveral owners will castigate me for saying this, so hopefully you will get both sides, good luck Mike B
There have been lots of posts here regarding this boat, many simiilar to the above, or previous, got to the archives and see what is here also find the portion of this site that has owners reviews, thats best, you can read what people do and think of boat, I know my wife would not be a happy person on this boat and she loves to sail our h23, just because it is in your budget does not make it a good deal , hunter is a good company , but this boat has a reputation as being tender, now watch sseveral owners will castigate me for saying this, so hopefully you will get both sides, good luck Mike B
E
Ed Smith
I Enjoy The 170 Now
But my initiation was wet. I went over first time out and had to get a motor to to get it back up. It turtled. I also rolled it over when I was in Corpus Christi Marina and the mast stuck in the mud. The patrol got me up. I am now aware of how alert you have to be and I used to sail a lot of performance cat boats. I have several years of lakes and one year of Corpus Christi Bay. I have added floatation in the mast to try to keep it from turtling. I dress warm in case I have to wait for the Coast Guard or a fisherman. Don't get too iritated at the wakes from the power boats cause most of them will come to your aid when you hit the water. I have had the 170 almost two full years now and I am getting adjusted and it is handling better all the time. This past summer was great. I learned how to get this boat up on a plane and when you can do that, it is super. The boat and me weigh in at close to 800 lbs so that is a big hole for it to come out of, but it will. Now if you are going to family sail, you will have to get reefing points for winds above 3 to 5 knots cause that was what I had first time over. This boat will fly in 5 knots and plane at 11 - 15 knots. I wrote a very critical review because I had a hard time getting problems taken care of. The best way to obtain support for this boat is directly with JY Sailboats or the individual contrators such as Dwyer Aluminum for Mast & Boom. Jy will respond very fast to requests for parts. I broke a spreader and JY UPS'ed to me over the week end. The mast I lost during the hurricane took a couple of weeks but that is fast in comparison to Southern Sailing Center in Buford GA which has my order for a Tiller Extension since August. I bought one at West Marine and I am much happier with it. I hope you do buy a 170, I am looking for some race competition. Good luck. I hope you find what you want. Oh yes, that open transom is great and the self-bailing is worth a great deal.
But my initiation was wet. I went over first time out and had to get a motor to to get it back up. It turtled. I also rolled it over when I was in Corpus Christi Marina and the mast stuck in the mud. The patrol got me up. I am now aware of how alert you have to be and I used to sail a lot of performance cat boats. I have several years of lakes and one year of Corpus Christi Bay. I have added floatation in the mast to try to keep it from turtling. I dress warm in case I have to wait for the Coast Guard or a fisherman. Don't get too iritated at the wakes from the power boats cause most of them will come to your aid when you hit the water. I have had the 170 almost two full years now and I am getting adjusted and it is handling better all the time. This past summer was great. I learned how to get this boat up on a plane and when you can do that, it is super. The boat and me weigh in at close to 800 lbs so that is a big hole for it to come out of, but it will. Now if you are going to family sail, you will have to get reefing points for winds above 3 to 5 knots cause that was what I had first time over. This boat will fly in 5 knots and plane at 11 - 15 knots. I wrote a very critical review because I had a hard time getting problems taken care of. The best way to obtain support for this boat is directly with JY Sailboats or the individual contrators such as Dwyer Aluminum for Mast & Boom. Jy will respond very fast to requests for parts. I broke a spreader and JY UPS'ed to me over the week end. The mast I lost during the hurricane took a couple of weeks but that is fast in comparison to Southern Sailing Center in Buford GA which has my order for a Tiller Extension since August. I bought one at West Marine and I am much happier with it. I hope you do buy a 170, I am looking for some race competition. Good luck. I hope you find what you want. Oh yes, that open transom is great and the self-bailing is worth a great deal.
T
Texas T2
Buy this boat!
I bought this boat last summer and can say without hesitation that it ranks up near the top of the 12 boats(Cruising: Tartan 34, Hunter 34, Jeanneau 36.2 and Racing: Olson 29, J24, Melges 24, etc) I've owned over the years. It was purchased to replace the Escape Rumba I used to teach my 10 yr. old son how to sail. Now my kid can't get the old man off his boat. I sail on an inland lake, so on a typical light air day while my buddies are glued to the dock with their floating houses, I'm sailing. As for all the whining about the lively handling (Oh, no. I might get wet!), just reduce sail or go with your most experienced crew on the breezier days. On days where the wind goes as high as 10k and I've got my young family aboard, it's the main only. Breezier yet, go with just the jib. Only take this boat out on days of "small craft warnings" with the knowledge that things will be very lively, indeed. But, it will be a memorable sail. If those kind of memories scare you, buy a fat, slow boat. Prep, launch and haulout are quick and easy. Based on my experience, you can go a little larger (stable) and swat flys when the breeze is 5k or less vs. doing windspeed+ on a H170 or get something smaller and less comfortable. Regarding comfort, this boat has a ballroom for a cockpit and boom that will only smack you if you're standing. So, buy this boat and have a great time!
I bought this boat last summer and can say without hesitation that it ranks up near the top of the 12 boats(Cruising: Tartan 34, Hunter 34, Jeanneau 36.2 and Racing: Olson 29, J24, Melges 24, etc) I've owned over the years. It was purchased to replace the Escape Rumba I used to teach my 10 yr. old son how to sail. Now my kid can't get the old man off his boat. I sail on an inland lake, so on a typical light air day while my buddies are glued to the dock with their floating houses, I'm sailing. As for all the whining about the lively handling (Oh, no. I might get wet!), just reduce sail or go with your most experienced crew on the breezier days. On days where the wind goes as high as 10k and I've got my young family aboard, it's the main only. Breezier yet, go with just the jib. Only take this boat out on days of "small craft warnings" with the knowledge that things will be very lively, indeed. But, it will be a memorable sail. If those kind of memories scare you, buy a fat, slow boat. Prep, launch and haulout are quick and easy. Based on my experience, you can go a little larger (stable) and swat flys when the breeze is 5k or less vs. doing windspeed+ on a H170 or get something smaller and less comfortable. Regarding comfort, this boat has a ballroom for a cockpit and boom that will only smack you if you're standing. So, buy this boat and have a great time!
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