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Sailboat Specifications

Siren 17

Fractional Sloop · Swing Keel

Designed by Hubert Vandestadt · Built by Vandestadt & Mcgruer Ltd. (Can) · First built 1974

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Siren 17 sailboat — on the water
Photo: Ahunt / CC0
LOA 17.17 ft  ·  Beam 6.67 ft  ·  Displacement 750.00 lb  ·  Sail Area 139.00 ft²  ·  Fractional Sloop  ·  Swing Keel
About the Siren 17 Sailboat

Designed by renowned naval architect Hubert Vandestadt, this compact 17-footer represents an excellent entry point into keelboat sailing. Built by Vandestadt & Mcgruer Ltd. in Canada from 1974 to 1987, the Siren 17 found favor with 3,200 sailors who appreciated its thoughtful blend of stability and performance in a trailerable package. The boat's defining feature is its swing keel design, which retracts to allow shallow water exploration and easy trailering while providing the stability advantages of a fixed keel when deployed. At 4.25 feet when fully extended, the keel offers impressive pointing ability for such a small boat. The fractional sloop rig with 139 square feet of sail area provides spirited performance, while the comfortable 6.67-foot beam creates surprising interior volume. With a displacement of 750 pounds and modest ballast ratio, the Siren 17 excels in light to moderate conditions typical of protected waters, lakes, and coastal day sailing. The fiberglass construction has proven durable over decades, and many examples remain actively sailed today. While not intended for offshore passages, this design offers an ideal platform for learning sailing fundamentals, weekend adventures, and introducing family members to the joys of sailing.

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Dimensions & Specifications
LOA (Length Overall) 17.17 ft / 5.23 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
Beam 6.67 ft / 2.03 m
Max Draft 4.25 ft / 1.30 m
Min Draft 0.67 ft / 0.20 m
Displacement 750.00 lb / 340 kg
Ballast 130.00 lb / 59 kg
Ballast Type Iron
Sail Area (Reported) 139.00 ft² / 12.91 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Swing Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Hubert Vandestadt
Builder Vandestadt & McGruer Ltd. (CAN)
First Built 1974
Last Built 1987
Number Built 3200
Related Sailboats Montgomery 17 · Venture 17 · Holder 17 · Commodore 17 · Watkins 17
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Siren 17's sail area to displacement ratio?

The Siren 17 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 26.99. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.

What is the Siren 17's comfort ratio?

The Siren 17 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 5.91. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.

Is the Siren 17 safe for offshore sailing?

The Siren 17 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.94. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.

What is the hull speed of the Siren 17?

The theoretical hull speed of the Siren 17 is 5.19 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.

How much does a Siren 17 weigh?

The Siren 17 has a displacement of 750.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 17.17 ft.

Who designed the Siren 17?

The Siren 17 was designed by Hubert Vandestadt, first built in 1974.