Hunter 170 Buyer's Guide
The Hunter 170 is an American sailing dinghy built by Hunter Marine and designed by the Hunter Design Team, later replaced in production by the Marlow-Hunter 18 in 2011. On the used market it presents as a lightweight, beachable daysailer of 480 pounds with a retractable centerboard, an open transom, and ACP composite construction that makes it unsinkable with built-in positive flotation. Shoppers will find a boat easy to trailer, simple to rig, and suited to shallow water.
Layouts on the Used Market
Every Hunter 170 shares the same core layout: a fractional-sloop rig on a 17-foot monohull with a 7-foot beam and a transom-hung rudder controlled by tiller. The retractable centerboard draws just under 6 inches up and 4 feet 6 inches down, so the same hull serves both beach and bay. Below the rig, the cockpit is open with contoured benches and can hold up to six people, while a canvas-covered bow storage area and mast-mounted sheet bags handle gear. An open reverse transom and centerline cockpit toerail are standard; the boat is an unsinkable recreational dinghy with 1,500 pounds of flotation.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Factory options worth noting on a used 170 are few but consequential. A 2.5-horsepower outboard was offered for docking and maneuvering, and a 202-square-foot asymmetrical spinnaker was available for downwind sailing. The roller-furling jib and simple one-line outhaul main are standard, as are sheet bags and bow storage. Buyers should confirm whether the optional spinnaker or outboard is present, since these change the boat's capability but are not on every example.
What to Inspect
The one documented owner-facing item is the bow canvas storage cover, which does not support a person's weight when leaning forward to the cleats. Check that the canvas unsnaps cleanly and that the forward storage beneath is intact. Otherwise, the ACP hull's bonded (non-laminated) layers mean delamination is not a cited concern, and the scuff-resistant exterior should show easy-care wear. Verify the centerboard counterweight and swing-up rudder operate, and that the mast steps without damage.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Hunter 170s are found in the United States. For a shopper, the takeaway is straightforward:
- Confirm centerboard and rudder retract smoothly for trailering
- Check the bow canvas for tears and easy unsnapping
- Verify presence of optional outboard or asymmetrical spinnaker if desired
- Inspect ACP hull for scuffs only, not delamination
- Match crew needs to the six-person cockpit limit
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Hunter 170. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 3 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 2 | $2,550 | — |
| Apr 26 | 1 | $5,900 | +131.4% |
| May 26 | 3 | $3,000 | -49.2% |
Where they're listed
Hunter 170 listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 6.
Country view
6 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $3,000 | 6 | 0 | 100.0% |