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Review of the Hunter 170 by Richard Frehs

Year built 2002  
Location of boat Columbus, Ohio  
The boat is sailed on Lakes  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2002  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? I love the Hunter 170 and made the right choice after looking around for a couple of years. Used boats (Hunter 170's) were few and located too far away to think about a used purchase. I would suggest buying from or right after a boatshow to get the best deals and most options. I bought the boat with all options to include: trailer, trailer jack and wheel, spare tire, motor mount, mast floatation, cushions, reefing points, and spinnaker.  
Gear that's been added I have added at the time of purchase a Honda 4-stroke, 2hp outboard purchased new from a boatshow or at boatshow prices. I also purchased a compass that fits on the mast, plus all required safety gear for 5 persons. Other additions were an American flag for the standing rigging, float bag, and soney CD player with external speakers. A lunch anchor and Garmin VHF handheld is now part of the gear. I have enough "stuff" to sink the boat.  
Structural or complex improvements No improvements were or are needed.  
The boat's best features The Hunter 170 is stable, fast, roomy, large enough to fit 6 adults, easy to right and enter back on board through the open transom.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Stepping and unstepping the mast is a two person task. I made the job easier by using the spinnaker hallard to "bend" the mast and jib stay into the roller furling.  
Sailing characterisitcs She sails well to all points and needs just a little breeze to power her. She is very forgiving, but will go over after you make numerious mistakes. One person can right her. It takes about five seconds to right and of course no water stays in the cockpit. I capsized a Sunfish while on vacation and the Hunter 170 is MUCH easier to right! Most winds have been around 8-12 knots when I have had her out under sail with two aboard. The majority of times have been on protected inland lakes. The boat is very fast and have "raced" informally with racing class boats.  
Motoring characterisitcs I usually motor from and to the dock or ramp since I am not a experienced sailor. The Hunter 170 is my first boat and I love her enough that I do not want any bumps or scratches "recorded" in her hull. The motor I use is a new Honda 2hp, 4-stroke. Not long after taking delivery of the boat we trailered her down to Winyah Bay, Georgetown, S.C. I had a reservations at Georgetown Landings Marina. The marina is about a mile or so from the nearest ramp. We had high winds on the day we had to take her out and the trip under power was hair-raising for a non-experienced sailer. Waves from the wind and wake from the large boats added to the excitement. With no sails the bow would ride down the waves spraying the sea over us before she would rise and have the wind hit the freeboard forcing her to heel over quickly. I was glad I had charts locating the submerged pilings and sandbars, because there were also hundred of crab bouys to navigate around to keep both prop and centerboard from fouling? I praised the Honda for getting us safely back on land without any problems.  
Liveability "Knot Endowed" is a great lunch and day sailer! I cannot ell you how much fun it is to pull into a cove, drop sails, then go for a swim off the open transom! It also makes it easy for a big guy to get back on board. The high boom and no cockpit centerboard well makes for comfotable tacks. Lots of room to stretch out and enjoy sailing! The one time I did capsize her everything in the forward compartment stayed dry and behind the rope bag.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) On delivery there was a small crack on the aft section of the snterboard well inside the cockpit area. Hunter flew a couple of it's people up (on the way to Harbor North) to repair the crack. Unfortunately we were leaving on vacation and had to pass on them stopping by the house to make corrections. I was told they would come by on there nect trip. I broke a spreader while unstepping the mask in Georgetown, S.C. I knew we would drive straight back to Columbus, Ohio and wanted to spend the last few days of our vacation sailing at home. Hunter had the parts to us the next day and had them shipped at a resonable price.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any I purchased the boat from Harbor North in Huron, Ohio in late January 2002. I took delivery on Labor Day weekend! Harbor North had an instructor take me and my family out on Lake Erie for a day to learn the boat. Harbor North gave me a very good deal on the package (boat) plus the free sailing lesson. I like the crew at Harbor North. They also took care of all the paper work, weighted the trailer, etc..  
Other comments Hunter seems to stick to it's word regarding making a great boat for the designed purpose and offering it at a reasonable price. I like the Harken hardware and North Sail sails. It also seems that the buyers love the boats, for I could not find many ised ones available (or Honda outboards) for sale.  

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