Hunter Owner Reviews

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Review of the Hunter 170 by Jason Talsma

Year built 1998  
Location of boat Holland Michigan  
The boat is sailed on The Great Lakes  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard?  
Owner bought the boat in 1998  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? For the money it is a good boat. I do wish that it was more high performance. The hardware is marginal and the boat doesn't respond like I expected. Being a small boat I expected more speed. For my younger sisters who are just learning to sail the boat is perfect.  
Gear that's been added I will add a line lead into the roller furling jib. Everytime we try to sail in moderatly heavy winds the line in the furler gets stuck. It binds up beacause the line doesn't lead in at a 90 degree angle. Any suggestions to fix this would be appreciated. Another problem that was easily fixed was the fact that the spreaders had no protection. The maiden voyage we just about ripped the main on a downwind reach. I have to say what sold us was the built-in drinkholders. No kidding! 3505 Curtis, Hudsonville, MI 49426 616-669-7659  
Structural or complex improvements  
The boat's best features A solid place for my beer and the storage up in the bow  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Above, also a nasty vibration from the flexible material that covers the opening to the centerboard, I think that we fixed it.  
Sailing characterisitcs In heavy winds,no matter how we trim the sails the fight with the tiller never ends. It wants to round up hard.  
Motoring characterisitcs  
Liveability  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any  
Other comments