Designed by Sovereign Design Group and built by Custom Fiberglass Products starting in 1980, this compact 17-footer represents a thoughtful approach to small boat coastal cruising and day sailing. The Adventurer 17's fractional sloop rig and moderate sail area of 138 square feet provide balanced performance without being overpowering for novice sailors or those seeking relaxed sailing experiences. With its shoal draft fin keel drawing just 1.83 feet, this fiberglass sailboat excels in shallow waters and crowded anchorages where deeper-draft vessels cannot venture. The substantial ballast ratio contributes to good stability, while the comfortable beam of 7 feet provides adequate interior space for a boat of this size. At 1,350 pounds displacement, she's substantial enough to handle moderate chop yet light enough for easy trailering and launching. The boat's design characteristics suggest she's ideally suited for protected coastal waters, lake sailing, and learning applications. Her modest hull speed of 5.10 knots won't win races, but the Adventurer 17 prioritizes stability and ease of handling over outright performance. The low comfort ratio indicates she's better suited for day sailing than extended cruising, making her an excellent choice for weekend sailors and sailing instruction programs seeking a forgiving, well-mannered small boat.
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What is the Adventurer 17's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Adventurer 17 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 18.11. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Adventurer 17's comfort ratio?
The Adventurer 17 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 10.24. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Adventurer 17 safe for offshore sailing?
The Adventurer 17 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.54. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Adventurer 17?
The theoretical hull speed of the Adventurer 17 is 5.10 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Adventurer 17 weigh?
The Adventurer 17 has a displacement of 1,350.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 17.00 ft.
Who designed the Adventurer 17?
The Adventurer 17 was designed by Sovereign Design Group, first built in 1980.