I am interested in buying a new Hunter 170. I have previously had an Islander Freeport 41, a Bristol 26 and a Cal 20. Most sailers will recognize the progression to bigger boats. Now I am going the other direction and want a small boat just for day sailing. I am impressed with the 170 but am a bit concerned about the stability. I have read different takes on the "tippiness" and ease for capsizing and am only concerned because I want to sail with my wife and she is a bit skittish with tippy boats. I am 68 and like the ease of the boat. I am leaning towards buying the 170 but wondered what the consensus from owners is about the degree of stability. Thanks for your help
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I am fairly certain that the 170 is not ballasted. This means that your weight needs to be shifted to keep the boat at a comfortable heel - much different from your other boats! Keep that in mind - there are small water-ballasted and shoal-keeled boats with more positive stability.
With a keelboat, your weight placement is not particularly important - with the 170, it is everything.
With a keelboat, your weight placement is not particularly important - with the 170, it is everything.
I have had my 170 for a few years now, sailing it most weekends. Sitting in the water, this is a stable boat, you can walk around the perimeter of the boat and it will only tip up about 5 degrees. When I have wanted to clean the hull, it takes a lot of work to get the boat to capsize! While sailing, I have only come close to capsize once and that was during an accidental gybe in winds in excess of 15 knots - even then the water came rushing over the side, then the boat spilled the wind and popped right back up again. With my wife and I on the boat, I have to ask her to join me on the windward side at around 10 knots, and we have to start hiking out around 12-15 knots. The boat is "tender" compared to a keel boat, but is very stable compared to some other daysailors. I would compare its stability to an Interlake or CL16. It is a VERY comfortable and spacious boat for a 17'. I really enjoy it.
I can confirm what David says about the stability. I teach the Boy Scout sailing merit badge and part of the training is capsize recovery. We have to work REAL hard to tip the boat over. The class was once taught in 15-20 wind without any problems.
I also agree it is a bit tender but easily controlled, even single-handed.
I also agree it is a bit tender but easily controlled, even single-handed.
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