Leisure 17 Information, Review, Specs

The story of the Leisure 17 began in the mid-1960s, with its design by Arthur Howard around 1966. It made its public debut at the 1967 London Boat Show, where it immediately captured attention. Produced by Cobramold Ltd., a company founded by Brian Meerloo with a vision to revolutionize yacht design, the Leisure 17 embodied a philosophy of creating robust, practical, and family-friendly cruising yachts. Production of this enduring model spanned an impressive three decades, from 1966 until 1996, making it one of the longest-produced UK trailer-sailer yachts. While the standard model featured a twin keel configuration, a fin keel version was also made available, offering a deeper draft., During its extensive production run, the Leisure 17 saw an evolution with the introduction of the Leisure 17SL, which retained the original hull and rig but featured a more streamlined, wedge-shaped coachroof and an enhanced interior.,

Sailing Performance and Handling

Despite its compact size, the Leisure 17 has earned a reputation for its commendable sailing characteristics and surprising seaworthiness. It is widely considered a good sailing boat, performing well in various conditions. Owners consistently describe the Leisure 17 as "very seaworthy" for its class, capable of handling estuary and inshore waters with confidence, and even suitable for venturing over coastal bars., Its design ensures good balance and responsiveness, making it an ideal vessel for those new to sailing to develop their skills.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the Leisure 17 was thoughtfully designed to maximize space within its small footprint, catering to its role as a comfortable pocket cruiser. The cabin typically includes four berths, providing sleeping arrangements for a small family or crew. A small galley area is incorporated for basic meal preparation, alongside a dedicated space for a Portaloo. While the original Leisure 17 offered practical accommodation, later iterations like the Leisure 17SL featured an updated interior with improved finishes and a more modern layout, maintaining the same robust fiberglass hull construction., The hull itself is known for being thick and solid GRP, contributing to the boat's durability and providing a good foundation for interior insulation.,

Owner's Perspectives

The Leisure 17 benefits from an incredibly strong and active owner community, highlighted by the long-standing Leisure Owners Association. Owners frequently praise the boat's solid construction, often describing it as "indestructible.", Its reliability and seaworthiness for a boat of its size are consistently highlighted as major strengths, making it a popular choice for single-handed sailing and coastal adventures., Many owners recount learning to sail on a Leisure 17, underscoring its forgiving nature and ease of handling. While widely lauded for its positive attributes, some owners note that, as with many older boats, routine maintenance such as re-bedding original deck fittings may be necessary.