Windrider 17 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The defining construction choice is rotomolded polyethylene, a method the original review noted keeps the price down while producing a hull that needs little maintenance rotomolded polyethylene. All structural reinforcements are anodized aircraft aluminum rather than bonded-in glass or wood, which suits the telescoping ama design: the amas slide in and out with no disassembly, letting the boat narrow for trailering and widen for sailing without tools. The nets are large and bolt roped to the hull, and they support optional stiff-backed seats that the review described as ergonomically well designed and comfortable. With an 11-foot beam that collapses to 8 feet 2 inches on the trailer, the WindRider occupies a niche between a beach cat and a pocket cruiser.

Rig and Handling

The rig is a fractional sloop carrying 96 square feet of full-battened main with an optional 43-square-foot jib on a Harken roller furler. A lightweight rotating mast dramatically improves the performance of the full-battened mainsail, and the main jiffy reefs on the boom with a single line. Sheets lead to two Harken cam cleats, and there is either a single mainsheet or a mainsheet and jib both running through cam cleats for ease of handling. The boom sits high over everyone's head, making jibes safe compared with most small boats.

Steering abandons the tiller unless the sailor requests one: you sit in a comfortable seat and steer intuitively by pushing the left foot to turn left and the right to turn right, with all controls within two feet of the driver. Tacking is a matter of pushing a foot and stopping when the main fills on the opposite tack, and faster tacks come from backing the jib briefly as the boat sails through the wind. The wide beam gives the boat great stability, and it is nearly impossible to capsize unless the sailor works hard at it and refuses to release the sheets.

Performance Under Sail

Test sailors found the speed envelope well beyond typical 17-foot monohulls. In ten knots they were going upwind at 7 to 8 knots, and on a beam reach the speed picked up to 9 to 10 per GPS. In gusts to about 12 they were hitting 10.5 without trouble, and later in about 15 knots they cruised at 12.5 in two-plus-foot chop with the boat dry and no water inside cruised at 12.5 in 2 plus foot chop and the boat was dry. The carrying capacity is so great for a 17-footer that it will easily carry four adults and a couple of kids.

Accommodations and Cockpit Layout

The center hull carries an aft cockpit that serves as the primary driving position and a larger forward cockpit. The forward cockpit seats two, and its hard seat reverses to face the driver. This dual-cockpit arrangement keeps the helm seated aft while passengers ride forward, a layout that suits the foot-steering station and keeps weight where the trimaran balances.

Trailer and Ownership

The WindRider slides on rails on and off the trailer, which perfectly centers the boat so all 400 pounds is supported by four aluminum pads. The shrouds and nets stay permanently connected, keeping solo launch and retrieval to a very manageable ten minutes, less for a couple. That permanent rig connection is a large part of why the boat is as quick to rig as it is to sail.

The Verdict

The WindRider 17 is a clever, fast, and forgiving little trimaran that removes most of the friction from day-sailing and trailering. Its polyethylene hull and aluminum structure are low-maintenance, and the foot-steering with all controls close at hand makes it approachable for novices while still rewarding experienced sailors with real speed. The compromises are those of any minimalist dayboat: no cabins, no engine, and a cockpit that is open to the elements.

Pros