I am looking for a small (17ft) family sail boat. I have been looking at Siren 17's. Are there others that small that can accommodate a family for a weekend. Also the sail ares is 145 sq. ft. Is this much less than other 17 footers like an O'day 17 day sailer for instance?
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Ron
Why so Small
I owned a Hunter 23, 1988 vintage, a few years back and it would have been much more comfortable for a weekend/family boat. Had sleeping for four, a small galley and a portable head. You can find boats like this in the used market for $4000 to $6000. Give it or something similar a glance before you settle for 17 feet. Check WWW.YachtWorld.Com Ron/KA5HZV
I owned a Hunter 23, 1988 vintage, a few years back and it would have been much more comfortable for a weekend/family boat. Had sleeping for four, a small galley and a portable head. You can find boats like this in the used market for $4000 to $6000. Give it or something similar a glance before you settle for 17 feet. Check WWW.YachtWorld.Com Ron/KA5HZV
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Brian Jarchow
Buy 22 to 25 feet
I agree with Ron - 17 feet is quite small for a family of even two for an entire weekend. Unless you have a strong overriding concern, such as moorage or towing capacity, I would suggest not getting anything less than 22 feet. And there are several good models on the market at 22 feet. But for not much more you could move up to 23, 24, or 25 feet. You can find an old Catalina 25 for under $10,000 and the larger size will provide benefits like a marine head and more of a galley than you would find in a 22. Beyond 25 feet the price starts rising much more quickly, and longer boats also require more practice going in and out of slips. Furthermore, if you buy a larger boat and have the desire, you could drive down to the Gulf coast and spend some time sailing in the ocean more safely with a larger boat. Hope this helps, Brian
I agree with Ron - 17 feet is quite small for a family of even two for an entire weekend. Unless you have a strong overriding concern, such as moorage or towing capacity, I would suggest not getting anything less than 22 feet. And there are several good models on the market at 22 feet. But for not much more you could move up to 23, 24, or 25 feet. You can find an old Catalina 25 for under $10,000 and the larger size will provide benefits like a marine head and more of a galley than you would find in a 22. Beyond 25 feet the price starts rising much more quickly, and longer boats also require more practice going in and out of slips. Furthermore, if you buy a larger boat and have the desire, you could drive down to the Gulf coast and spend some time sailing in the ocean more safely with a larger boat. Hope this helps, Brian
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red coles
Another choice
Hello Ken: If you are looking for a boat in this range, you can't do better than a Seaward 17. They were made, I believe in Stuart, FL. The newer design is called the Fox 19. I had a Seaward 17 for 5 years. Found it to be easily trailable, quick to set up, good sailor. It had a beam of 8', which gave you a large cockpit and nice set down interior. Looked very traditional, almost like a catboat hull. If you can find one check it out. Good luck red
Hello Ken: If you are looking for a boat in this range, you can't do better than a Seaward 17. They were made, I believe in Stuart, FL. The newer design is called the Fox 19. I had a Seaward 17 for 5 years. Found it to be easily trailable, quick to set up, good sailor. It had a beam of 8', which gave you a large cockpit and nice set down interior. Looked very traditional, almost like a catboat hull. If you can find one check it out. Good luck red
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Ken Cobb
Had a daysailer
I recall that the sail area on an O'Day daysailer is also about 145 SF. The daysailer-17' range makes sense if you have to trailer the boat and set up for each launch. It also can be beached easily. However, it doesn't have a porta potty or a keel. The former will tie you close to shore, and the latter will limit the days you can sail in higher winds.
I recall that the sail area on an O'Day daysailer is also about 145 SF. The daysailer-17' range makes sense if you have to trailer the boat and set up for each launch. It also can be beached easily. However, it doesn't have a porta potty or a keel. The former will tie you close to shore, and the latter will limit the days you can sail in higher winds.
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Brad Elbein
Siren 17
The Siren 17 is a GREAT GREAT boat. I used to own a Siren 17. It's a great, great boat. Among it's wonderful attributes are: It's got factory roller furling, nice sail area for the weight of the boat, good thick fiberglass hull, and a swing keel which gives you a pretty nice ballast ratio. I found the boat to be very stiff in nasty weather. It gives you a great cabin size for the overall size of the boat. It's truly a micro-cruiser. Now, as for weekending, it may be tight. We had two infant children and two small dogs, and with the six of us, it was EXTREMELY tight. However, it's possible to do it. Particularly if you make or buy a camper type tent to fit over the boom. It will almost double your space. However, beware: there isn't a lot of storage room. A better option might be to get a tent and "overnight" whille pulled up on a beach. I'm curious: What year is your potential Siren, and what location are you buying it, and how much? (I'm not competition, just curious.)
The Siren 17 is a GREAT GREAT boat. I used to own a Siren 17. It's a great, great boat. Among it's wonderful attributes are: It's got factory roller furling, nice sail area for the weight of the boat, good thick fiberglass hull, and a swing keel which gives you a pretty nice ballast ratio. I found the boat to be very stiff in nasty weather. It gives you a great cabin size for the overall size of the boat. It's truly a micro-cruiser. Now, as for weekending, it may be tight. We had two infant children and two small dogs, and with the six of us, it was EXTREMELY tight. However, it's possible to do it. Particularly if you make or buy a camper type tent to fit over the boom. It will almost double your space. However, beware: there isn't a lot of storage room. A better option might be to get a tent and "overnight" whille pulled up on a beach. I'm curious: What year is your potential Siren, and what location are you buying it, and how much? (I'm not competition, just curious.)
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Mike Turner
West Wight Potter
Take a look at the West Wight Potter boats -- 15' and 19' -- both very nice micro cruisers, both trailerable. I haven't owned or sailed one so can't comment there. I think this is about the maximum you'd want to go in a trailerable boat; 22' can be trailered but it's a chore to set up. There's also a boat called the Mariner 19 that is another small cabin boat that you might want to check out. Mike Turner S/V Amity (Catalina 30)
Take a look at the West Wight Potter boats -- 15' and 19' -- both very nice micro cruisers, both trailerable. I haven't owned or sailed one so can't comment there. I think this is about the maximum you'd want to go in a trailerable boat; 22' can be trailered but it's a chore to set up. There's also a boat called the Mariner 19 that is another small cabin boat that you might want to check out. Mike Turner S/V Amity (Catalina 30)
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Don Evans
The Siren's Big Sister...
Made in Owen Sound, ON, the line that included the Siren and others were a very popular day sailer in Ontario. Built by Vanderstadt and McGruer the Siren's big sister would be an excellent choice. The Sirius 21 is a true trailerable micro cruiser that had a pop top, head, galley and swing keel. I own an O'Day 25 so would also like to put a plug in for the O'Day 20, 22 and 23. These are easy to trailer and set-up and are good weekender cruisers. Lots to choose from. Don
Made in Owen Sound, ON, the line that included the Siren and others were a very popular day sailer in Ontario. Built by Vanderstadt and McGruer the Siren's big sister would be an excellent choice. The Sirius 21 is a true trailerable micro cruiser that had a pop top, head, galley and swing keel. I own an O'Day 25 so would also like to put a plug in for the O'Day 20, 22 and 23. These are easy to trailer and set-up and are good weekender cruisers. Lots to choose from. Don
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