BANDIT 17
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 17 ft |
| LWL | 16.4 ft |
| Beam | 6.67 ft |
| Draft | 4 ft/ 0.67 ft min |
| Displacement | 520 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 5.4 kn |
About the BANDIT 17
The Bandit 17 is a compact, high-performance day sailor designed by Rod Macalpine-Downie and Dick Gibbs, built by Sail MFG (USA) in 1972. With a production count of ? hulls, this 17.0 ft LOA vessel represents a specific era of lightweight, fractional sloop designs intended for recreational sailing rather than heavy cruising.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for day sailing, club racing, and casual coastal cruising where trailerability and ease of handling are prioritized over long-range comfort. Its light displacement of 520.0 lb and high SA/D ratio of 40.14 make it ideal for single-handers or couples seeking a responsive, planing-capable day boat.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low displacement of 520.0 lb, a comfort ratio of 3.87, and a capsize ratio of 3.32, the Bandit 17 is not designed for offshore or bluewater passage making. Its light weight and short LWL of 16.4 ft indicate it is strictly a coastal or inland day sailor.
- Comparables:
- Comparable vessels include other late-1970s trailerable day sailors like the O'Day 17 or Catalina 17, which share similar fractional sloop rigs and lightweight hull forms. These boats are comparable due to their shared emphasis on performance and ease of transport over bluewater capability.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the BANDIT 17 yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 17ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
3 reported issues across 3 systems for the BANDIT 17, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a BANDIT 17? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 3 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
Similar Sailboats
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Used sails that fit the BANDIT 17
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