Design and Construction
The Klipper 17 is built predominantly of fiberglass with wood trim, and its hull form follows a nearly plumb stem with a slightly angled transom. Beneath the waterline it carries a fixed shoal-draft fin keel or, as an alternative, a keel-and-centerboard arrangement, with a transom-hung rudder controlled by tiller. The solid fiberglass hull and deck, combined with the modest 1,250-pound displacement, make for a boat that is easy to handle ashore and undemanding to store. The 14.83-foot waterline and 5.16-knot hull speed place it firmly in the pocket-cruiser class, while the 2.97 capsize ratio and 7.84 comfort ratio describe a stable, forgiving platform rather than an offshore voyager.
Rig and Handling
The boat wears a fractional sloop rig as standard, with an optional catboat rig available, and the Bermuda sailplan carries 150 square feet of area on a mast rising 25 feet above the waterline. Period testers found the sail area on the low side, and the shallow draft — 1.58 feet in the fin-keel version — was judged insufficient for good upwind performance whether in the plain keel model or the centerboarder shallow draft limits windward ability. Early examples carried a rudder with too little area for quick maneuverability, a trait the later build years presumably addressed through the production span but which a buyer of an early hull should note.
Accommodations
Below, the Klipper 17 sleeps four: a double V-berth occupies the bow cabin, while two straight settee berths line the main cabin. The galley sits on both sides just aft of the bow cabin and is fitted with a sink to port, a compact arrangement that keeps meal preparation close to the companionway. The head is tucked into the bow cabin, centered aft under the V-berth, which makes efficient use of the pointed forepeak without stealing living space from the main cabin. For a 17-foot hull, the four-berth layout is a genuine step up from a daysailer and supports weekend coastal camping.
The Verdict
The Klipper 17 is a straightforward pocket cruiser whose strength lies in its simplicity and light weight. The fractional sloop is easy to rig and the shoal draft invites gunkholing, but the limited sail area and shallow keel curb its windward ambitions. Early-hull rudder area is the one design caveat worth checking. As a trailered weekender it remains a practical, unpretentious choice.
Pros
- Sleeps four in a 17-foot hull with defined bow and main cabin berths
- Solid fiberglass construction with wood trim; low 1,250-pound displacement eases trailering
- Optional catboat rig broadens appeal for single-sail simplicity
Cons
- Shallow draft and low sail area limit upwind performance
- Early models had undersized rudders affecting quick maneuvering
