Sailstar Explorer 17 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Explorer 17 is defined by its substantial displacement-to-length ratio compared to modern, lighter dinghies, which grants it a "big boat" feel in a compact package. With a displacement of approximately 800 pounds and a generous beam of 6'4", the boat offers high initial stability, making it an ideal platform for novice sailors or families with young children. The hull features a relatively flat run aft and a weighted centerboard, which allows for a shallow draft of only 9 inches when retracted—perfect for beaching or gunkholing—while extending to 4'6" to provide effective lift and tracking when sailing upwind.

Under sail, the Explorer 17 is known for being forgiving rather than twitchy. It handles a moderate breeze with composure, though its weight means it requires more sail area to remain competitive in light air. The boat’s self-bailing cockpit was a high-end safety feature for its era, ensuring that spray or rain would exit the boat rather than swamp the bilge. Reports from the period often highlighted its "self-righting" tendencies, a claim supported by the low-slung ballast and wide beam, though, like all centerboarders, it remains a dinghy-style hull that requires active weight management in heavy gusts.

Interior Comfort & Variations

Despite its modest 17-foot length, the Explorer 17 features a distinct cuddy cabin that separates it from pure open daysailers. This cabin is primarily intended for gear storage, a chemical toilet, or as a sheltered space for small children, though it does technically provide two minimalist berths for overnighting in a "camp-cruising" style. The cabin structure does not offer standing headroom—typical for this class—but it does provide a sense of security and dry storage that open boats lack.

Sailstar utilized the same 17-foot hull to produce a sibling model known as the Pioneer 17. While the Explorer featured the enclosed cuddy, the Pioneer was an open-cockpit version designed for those who preferred maximum seating capacity over sheltered storage. Both models shared the same rig and underwater profile, but the Pioneer was often favored by sailing schools and rental fleets for its unobstructed layout. In the late 1960s, as Sailstar transitioned into Bristol Yachts, elements of the Explorer's hull and rig philosophy influenced the development of the Bristol 19 (formerly the Corinthian), which expanded on the "small cruiser" concept with a full keel.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers of a vintage Sailstar Explorer 17 should focus on the structural integrity of the fiberglass, as these boats were built during an era of "over-engineering" where hulls were thick but resin chemistry was still evolving.

• Centerboard Trunk: The most critical area for inspection is the centerboard trunk and the pivot pin. Leaks often develop at the pin site, and the trunk itself can develop stress cracks from decades of lateral pressure.
• Flotation Tanks: These boats relied on internal air tanks or foam for buoyancy. Over time, the foam can become waterlogged if the hull has had unnoticed leaks, significantly increasing the boat's weight and compromising its safety.
• Deck Delamination: While the hulls are often solid glass, the decks and cabin house may use a balsa or plywood core. Soft spots around the mast step or chainplates indicate core rot that requires intensive repair.
• Rudder Hardware: The original bronze or stainless steel pintles and gudgeons are prone to "slop" or wear. Given the boat's age, ensure the transom reinforcement behind these fittings is still rigid.

Community & Resources

While Sailstar as a brand has been defunct for over half a century, its legacy is preserved through the broader Bristol Yachts community. Owners often find technical support and historical documentation through the Bristol Yachts Owners Association, as many of the construction techniques and hardware choices remained consistent through the transition between the two companies. Historical archives at the Mystic Seaport Museum occasionally house original brochures and lines drawings for early New England fiberglass builders like Sailstar.

The Verdict

The Sailstar Explorer 17 is a quintessential "plastic classic" that offers a stable and nostalgic entry point into sailing. While it lacks the speed of modern carbon-fiber sportboats, its robust construction and sheltered cuddy make it a superior choice for coastal exploration and family outings.

Pros:

• Exceptional stability for a 17-foot boat, making it very beginner-friendly.
• The cuddy cabin provides dry storage and a "refuge" from the elements.
• Extremely shallow draft with the board up allows for easy trailering and beaching.
• Solid, heavy-duty fiberglass construction that has stood the test of time.

Cons:

• Relatively heavy for its size, making it slower in light-wind conditions.
• The cuddy cabin is too small for comfortable "true" cruising for adults.
• Aging hardware and potential core issues require a discerning eye during purchase.