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Review of the Hunter 170 by Mike Garrison

Year built 1999  
Location of boat Alachua, FL  
The boat is sailed on Lakes  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2004  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes.  
Gear that's been added Added Yamaha's 2.5hp Four Stroke Outboard. Perfect for motoring in and out of intercoastal canals, leeward boat ramps. Added reefing point tie-downs. Bought 2-ton Sears hydraulic jack in case of trailer tire blow-out. Spare tire. Seat cushions came with boat, nice for long sails.  
Structural or complex improvements None.  
The boat's best features Lots of cockpit space and don't need to duck for the boom. My dad's Laser at their northern Minnesota lake house will be a SHOCK this summer...I will have to re-learn the urgency of 'ducking' while tacking. You don't have to be a gymnast to sail this boat. Her freeboard keeps you dry, even in a major blow. Negligible splashback. The open transom makes boarding simple, especially while rigging the boat, still on the trailer. The nice roller furling jib is a must for singlehanding. Mast is easily stepped by one person and boat is straightfwd to rig. Tip if you're new to the 170: use the topping lift to tie off the stepped-mast to a bow cleat, then pull jib forestay cable eye to the furler drum. Makes setting the forestay a snap.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. She heels bigtime "for a boat of this size" (whatever that means). Best scenario is to douse the jibsail early-- as winds fire up (exceeding 15-20 knots). Hiking isn't natural on this boat, as the gunwale is only 8 inches above the cockpit seats, but it works, and heck, this boat is somewhat of a blast when she's really moving.  
Sailing characterisitcs You can't force her helm. You can push a Flying Scot or a Laser far closer to the wind than a 170. Weatherhelm mounts in spades unless you just bear her off and let her do her thing. She'll choose an angle far alee of what I deem ideal. But of course when you let her have her way, she finds her center and tracks dead-on.  
Motoring characterisitcs Tracks well so long as board is dropped to half or more. Lock motor straight-ahead and use boat's tiller. A 2.5 horse at mid to high throttle pushes this boat with major dispatch- FAST, relatively speaking, anyway. MUST put board down at least 1/4 of the way to manuver this boat. The hull is completely "slippery", and has absolutely, positively no tracking without board.  
Liveability None.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Haven't, bought used. Although I live 5 miles from Hunter's large-boat manufacturing facility and covet as I drive by, seeing their 24 to 40-some footers getting the 'sprinkler test'. Believe the 170 is actually made in CT., by JY Sailboats. They're awesome when I call with questions on parts/rigging. They respond same day and once even sent me a gooseneck pin free of charge/free shipping. First rate and friendly.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Private seller elsewhere in FL- Even mailed me old spare parts that he'd found after the sale. Thanks, Ralph!  
Other comments Beautiful boat. Have had multiple folks comment about her in a single day, while rigging at the landing. Folks seem drawn to the wide open cockpit and that open transom is a mind-blower. Folks, even other boaters, wonder how that water keeps from flowing in. Great design. She trailers well behind my compact car. She looks heavy, but is very manageable.  

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