Design and Construction
The 170 is built using Hunter's Advanced Composite Process, known as ACP, which makes the boat light, durable, and virtually unsinkable. The technique begins with a weather-resistant polymer on the outside and a knitted fiberglass fabric on the inside, with urethane foam injected between the layers. The exterior plastic is scuff-resistant, which keeps the boat easy to clean and maintain. Hunter Marine described the process as environmentally friendly because the plastic used is recyclable, and scraps from the building process are recycled on-site at the factory. Because the layers are bonded together rather than laminated, the builder claimed delamination is not a possibility. The hull carries a five-year warranty. With 1,500 pounds of built-in positive flotation, the boat is an unsinkable recreational dinghy.
Rig and Handling
The mast is light enough to be stepped by one person, though easier with two. The fractional sloop rig carries a roller-furling jib whose sheets lead back to swivel blocks in the cockpit, with the furling line led aft and placed next to the starboard jib-sheet cleat. The mainsail is kept simple, needing only one line for the outhaul and a main halyard that is reachable on the mast from the cockpit. The mainsheet sits close to the helm yet swivels so the crew can trim it just as easily. Reef points for the main are optional; the test boat came with only two hoist settings. Under way the boat turns quickly through the wind and, while stable, remains sensitive to weight placement. The wide beam gives plenty of stability, and even fully heeled the boat showed no heavy weather helm. The builder noted the jib is easier to roll up when sailing dead downwind. An optional asymmetrical spinnaker was offered for those wanting more downwind fun.
Centerboard, Rudder, and Beachability
The standard centerboard draws 4 feet 6 inches when lowered and is built with a counterweight so it can be pulled up without extraordinary effort. With the board up the boat draws only 6 inches, and the swing-up rudder makes landing on a beach or parking on a sandbar straightforward. An open reverse transom gives easy access for swimming or boarding, and the retractable board with its shallow retract draft allows trailering and grounding.
Accommodations and Cockpit
The cockpit layout is clean and can accommodate six people, with contoured benches that test sailors found comfortable. A boom roughly three feet above the seated head gives generous headroom for a boat this size. Forward, a canvas-covered storage area sits in the bow alongside sheet bags mounted at the mast. The canvas unsnaps readily if a person needs to reach forward, though it does not support a person's weight when leaning out toward the forward cleats, making the reach from the cockpit a long one. A toerail down the center of the cockpit floor gives secure footing when the boat is heeled.
Known Issues
The bow canvas offers storage cover but cannot be stood on when leaning forward, so boarding-forward work requires unsnapping it.
The Verdict
The Hunter 170 succeeds as a lightweight, beachable daysailer that an individual can rig and launch with minimal fuss. Its ACP construction, positive flotation, and simple systems make it a durable and forgiving trainer or lake-and-bay toy, while the centerboard and open transom extend its utility to shallow water and trailering. The open bow storage canvas is a minor limitation rather than a flaw.
Pros
- Virtually unsinkable with 1,500 lb positive flotation and ACP composite construction
- Centerboard and swing-up rudder permit 6-inch draft and easy beaching
- Light mast and simple main system allow single-handed rigging
- Wide beam and fractional rig deliver stable, low-weather-helm handling
Cons
- Bow canvas storage cover will not support a person leaning forward
- Mainsail reef points were optional, not standard, on early boats
