The Leisure 17 is one of the most successful small yachts ever built. It normally has four berths (two in the forepeak and one either side in the main cabin). With the Leisure 17 there are no half measures. The hull is built in solid GRP with the deck in balsa sandwich, combining immense strength, with maximum insulation. Way back in 1968, one of the first seventeen's crossed the Atlantic single handed. Later the Leisure 17 gave way to the Leisure 17SL. This has the same hull as the Leisure 17, but has a redesigned coachroof to give a more modern wedge-shaped look. The Leisure 17 is an extremely stiff and easy boat to handle, and is ideal for short-handed and family crews. The Leisure 17 and 17SL were designed by Arthur Howard.
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The hull is built in solid GRP with the deck in balsa sandwich, combining immense strength with maximum insulation. Fin or twin keel configurations are available. Keels are cast iron, the twin keel version having a high aspect ratio hydrofoil section. rudder and skeg are glassfibre with stainless steel framework and fittings. Auxiliary power is normally provided by a 5hp outboard on a transom hung bracket. The deck has moulded non slip areas for safe working. The spars
are in aluminium alloy. Originally gold, the spars of later boats
are black or silver. Halyards are internal. Standing rigging and
rigging screws are in stainless steel. The large self draining cockpit
has a transom locker for outboard storage (when not in use) gas
bottle etc. The Leisure 17 & 17SL sail very well, and are often quite successful in club racing. Either model has a Portsmouth Yardstick rating of 1285 ( twin keel configuration, with outboard lifted out of the water). More information on performance is contained in the members reference library. |
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Leisure 17SL under sail |
Specification Detail
| Length overall 5.18m
Length waterline 4.27m Beam 2.13m Draft fin keel 0.97m (twin keel 0.65m) Total weight 727kg (fin) 670kg (twin) Mast 6.1m (Lakerig 6.6m) Mainsail 7.7 sq. m |
Working Jib 6.0 sq.
m Storm Jib 3.7 sq. m Genoa 9.3 sq. m No. 1 Spinnaker 19.3 sq. m No. 2 Spinnaker 13.9 sq. m The Leisure 17 is sloop rigged with a 83 sq.ft. mainsail and 65 sq.ft jib as standard. |
Leisure 17 Brochures
Click on the following thumbnail images for a full size, high definition picture. Note these files are quite large (~100Kb each) and will take some time to download on a dial up connection. The image will download into a new browser window. When downloaded you can scroll around the image, and/or select to save it to your own PC for later use. Close the new window when finished with the downloaded image. This will return you to this page.
The images are scaled to print reasonably well on A4 paper using a 300dpi printer.
Brochure probably dating from about 1978 |
Earlier brochure dating from around 1972 |
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Leisure 17SL Brochure
Click on the following thumbnail images for a full size, high definition picture. Note these files are quite large (~100Kb each) and will take some time to download on a dial up connection. The image will download into a new browser window. When downloaded you can scroll around the image, and/or select to save it to your own PC for later use. Close the new window when finished with the downloaded image. This will return you to this page.
The images are scaled to print reasonably well on A4 paper using a 300dpi printer.
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Click on a "thumbnail" of each page for a high definition image |
Typical L17SL Specification
Overview
A lightweight trailer sailor with Masthead Rig. Four full length berths. Twin keels and skeg mounted rudder LOA 17ft Beam 7ft LWL 14ft Draught 2ft-2in Displacement 14741bs. Ballast 5501bs. Sail Area 183 Square feet.
Construction
One piece (white) moulded GRP hull with moulded twin ballast keels and skeg mounted rudder which allows the boat to take to the ground safely. Shallow draught for easy launching and exploring shallow creeks. GRP deck moulding with non slip surface, encapsulated reinforced plywood pads beneath fittings. Hull to deck joints bonded with GRP and fitted with Natural teak gunwales.
Accomodation
Internal GRP moulded, forming 4 full length settee berths/seating area lit by Perspex windows both sides and forward with vented cabin top. The tabernacle supports an adjustable height pivoting chart table with fiddles. Under berth stowage areas have loose ply covers supporting 3" fabric covered tailored cushions. Backrests in matching 2" fabric Velcro fixed to further (glove box) type stowage space with shelf over. Bulkheads trimmed in teak ply (Aft berths continue below cockpit well).
Cooker
A two burner hob with grill is situated centrally below the gangway and is powered by gaz stored in the aft locker.
Toilet
A portable chemical toilet is located forward of the tabernacle in its GRP moulded stowage compartment concealed beneath a matching fabric covered lift off hood.
Electrical System
Are fed from a 12V (44amp/hr) battery also fitted in the externally vented aft locker. Wiring is led to the cabin via conduit to a key operated isolating switch, a fused 3 way supply also switched feeds an AM radio/cassette, a depth sounder, CB radio and twin cabin lighting with twin cigarette lighter socket outlets for accessories, VHF Handheld, and GPS Handheld.
Rigging
Aluminium mast and roller reefing boom, stainless steel inner and outer shrouds with raked back spreaders, single forestay and split twin backstay. The mast contains 4 internal halyards each has its own cleat. The mainsheet is 4: 1 and traveller mounted aft of the cockpit. Roller furling headsail, sheets led via travellers to jamming cleats with integral fairleads.
Guard-Rails
Are 7 x 19 stainless steel and run between pushpit and pulpit rails supported by two further intermediate stanchions providing continuous protection a link rail is provided aft centrally over the transom to assist boarding access.
Anchor Locker
Is self draining, and is forward within pulpit area and contains a 5Kg Bruce anchor 14m of chain and 18m of warp, which can be fed through the bow roller/fairlead and attached to a central mooring cleat.
Aft Locker
Full width/depth of transom contains 12V Battery, Camping Gaz bottle and vacuum lift Fuel Tank, vented externally and lockable via a warp led into the cabin with cam-cleat. Stowage also for fenders, warps etc.
Engine
5HP Mariner outboard mounted on folding O/B bracket has an integral charging system. Morse remote controls are mounted on the starboard pulpit rail.
Boarding ladder is situated to the portside of the transom with a centre clip on guard rail to assist boarding access.
Sails
Main, Genoa, Storm Jib and Spinnaker
Cockpit
Moulded seating for four persons with waterproof vinyl covered cushions. Self draining sole (crossover outlets) access to the cabin is forward and central via a sliding hatch and two loose washboards one of which is vented. Spray dodgers protect the Cockpit. A boom tent attaches to the mast and the guard rails and is fitted with side windows and integral blinds. Depth sounder display and compass mounting are fitted. A mooring cleat is mounted on each quarter.
Typical Specification - R Russell