Dark Harbor 17 1/2 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Drawing Diagram

Builder drawing

Hull type

Monohull · fin

Rig

Gaffhead Sloop

LOA

25.83' · 7.87 m

Displ.

3,450 lbs · 1,565 kg

First year

1908

The Dark Harbor 17 1/2 is an enduring masterpiece of the "Golden Age" of yachting, a vessel that exemplifies the aesthetic grace and technical precision of the early 20thcentury American daysailer. Designed in 1908 by the prolific naval architect B.B. Crowninshield and primarily constructed by the legendary yard of George Lawley & Son, this class was originally commissioned for the summer residents of Islesboro, Maine. Measuring 25 feet, 10 inches in length overall, with a 17foot, 6inch waterline—from which it derives its name—the design features the long, elegant overhangs and narrow beam characteristic of the era's racing yachts. Its transition from a local onedesign class to a cherished icon of wooden boat restoration speaks to its exceptional balance and timeless silhouette. While many were built in the initial 1908–1915 run, the class saw a resurgence in the late 20th century, with several being meticulously rebuilt or replicated by specialized yards such as Artisan Boatworks.