Hunter Owner Reviews

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Review of the Hunter 170 by Luan Do

Year built 1999  
Location of boat Pohick Bay  
The boat is sailed on Rivers  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength less than 10 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? [liveaboar  
Owner bought the boat in 2000  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Need more sailing time to know the answer  
Gear that's been added  
Structural or complex improvements Previous owner re-attached the motor mount as it was being shaken loose by motor vibration.  
The boat's best features Open transome is awesome. It's easy to get into the boat. It's fun to dangle your feet in the water. Surprisingly, water does not come into the boat as I had feared it might. The swing keel is recessed into the floor. Hence there is no keel housing to trip over or to bump into as you move from one side to the boat to the other. It's a clean cockpit design.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. There is a small crack on the fore deck running through one of the screws on one of the mooring cleats. The crack ends at the rub rail. Possibly caused by over torquing the screw or hole was too small to accommodate the screw size.  
Sailing characterisitcs It's faster than the Flying Scot that I have sailed before, though it doesn't feel as stable. The furling jib always get stuck while unfurling. I always have to use my foot to shove the mainsail sheet into a locked position in the cam cleat.  
Motoring characterisitcs a 2hp 4-strokes engine works well. A beefier or better designed motor mount would be nice. The motor mounts seems like an afterthought.  
Liveability I'd rather live in a car than on a daysailer.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) No dealing with Hunter directly.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any I contacted Backyard Boat about the crack and adding reefing point to the main sail. Even though I'm the second owner of the 1 yr. old boat that was originially purchased from them, they were helpful in making suggestions when they finally called me back.  
Other comments Not at this time.