Sail Sizes - 170 vs new 18

[ddeand]

Digging into the differences between the Hunter 170 model and the new 18 model has been a fun way to start the off-season here. I got the dimensions of each of the sail sets from North Sails (they were very helpful), and the difference in the square footage (150 vs 170) comes down to the foot length of the 18 mainsail. It is almost exactly one foot longer than the foot on the 170 sail (8.17 ft for the 170 vs 19.15 ft for the 18). The luff and leach measurements are nearly identical for the two sails. I'm assuming there must be some additional size added in the shape of the leach of the 18 sail. Interestingly, the jib size on the 18 is nearly identical to the jib size on the 170. I suppose that means that I'd need to get a different boom for the boat if I wanted to upgrade to the 18 mainsail.

What I'd like to know now is the actual length of the masts on each of the boats. I know the mast height is taller on the 170, but I wonder if that's due to the different design of the deck and mast step rather than the actual length of the mast. I hate to keep bothering the Hunter people, but if the winter here in Minnesota gets to be too harsh and protracted, I may have no choice - I have to stave off the shack nasties somehow!

Dean

 

[esterhazyinoz]

You will definitely have to get a longer boom if you get a H18 sail. As you mentioned in your other thread, the boom you have is 8'7'' and the foot of H18 OEM sail is about a foot longer. Add to that the extra length that you will need to allow an outhaul (something that you will have to add yourself) to tighten the foot of your sail and you are probably looking at a boom 1.5-2 foot longer than the one you have.
Also, re the mast length of the H18 mast, if you don't want to ask Hunter, I believe that the Dwyer Aluminum Mast Company http://www.dwyermast.com manufactures the masts for the H170 and probably the H18. If they do do both then they would give you the comparison measurements.

 

[ddeand]

I figured there would be a fair amount of modification if I added a larger sail. If that happens, it will be quite a ways down the road - I think I'll have my hands full with the rig I already have. I'll spend my time worrying about mast flotation and where to put the cup holders.

Dean

 

[esterhazyinoz]

While buried under your northern hemisphere snowdrifts, you could look at installing a clew outhaul for your mainsail. This is something that you could transfer over if you do get the H18 spars at a later date. My H15 didn't come with one and I think the H170's don't either.
I documented what I did in the H15 owners mod section:
http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...d=267&cat_id=1056&aid=7882&page=article&mn=15
As you have a bigger sail you may need the next size up for the blocks.
Here is the article by Rusty S. who is a H170 owner. The article cover a number of very clever things that he has improved on his H170 including installing a clew outhaul.
http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...id=267&cat_id=11&aid=7314&page=article&mn=170
Re Mast Floatation have a look at this article by Tereza D.:
http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...id=267&cat_id=61&aid=7454&page=article&mn=146
A number of people, including myself have gone this route and have reported that it works fine. I also 'noodled' the back end of my boom. The front end should never be in the water if the top of your mast has mast floatation. I have attached a photo of a Catalina 14.2 that is using one of the Hobie Cat Baby Bob Mast floats that Hunter sells for their H146/15 and H170/18's. This is your alternative. I sold the one that came with my boat as I wanted a windex at the top of my masthead.