EXPLORER 17 (SAILSTAR)
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 17 ft |
| LWL | 15.75 ft |
| Beam | 6.33 ft |
| Draft | 3.6 ft/ 0.6 ft min |
| Displacement | 650 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 5.3 kn |
About the EXPLORER 17 (SAILSTAR)
The listed designer in the Sailstar literature, Talman Bigelow, had previously been an employee of the O'Day Corporation. Sailstar Boats was sued (unsuccessfully) by O'Day Corp. because of the EXPLORER's obvious similarity to O'Day's DAYSAILER. The real designer seems to have been Robert Baker. (As part of the design brief, Baker was asked to come up with something similar to the O'Day DAYSAILER.) An 'economy' version of the EXPLORER, without the cuddy/cabin, was called the DEFENDER (1966). Also offered was a keel version of this same hull called the PIONEER (rare). Thanks to 'sunbird10201' for providing additional information on this boat.
The Explorer 17 is a rare, lightweight fractional sloop designed by Talman Bigelow and Robert Baker, with only one hull built by Sailstar Boats (USA) in 1960. Its extremely low displacement of 650.0 lb and high SA/D ratio of 33.1 indicate a design focused on speed and agility rather than heavy cruising comfort.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for single-handers or couples seeking a trailerable, high-performance day sailor or coastal cruiser who prioritize ease of handling and storage over offshore range.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 650.0 lb and a comfort ratio of 5.33, this boat is not suitable for bluewater cruising and is strictly limited to protected coastal waters due to its light weight and small size.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include other 1960s trailerable fractionals like the O'Day 18 or Pearson 16, which share similar fractional rigs and trailerable footprints, though the Explorer 17 is significantly lighter and rarer.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the EXPLORER 17 (SAILSTAR) 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
We don't have enough data on the EXPLORER 17 (SAILSTAR)yet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind — but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.
Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.
Own a EXPLORER 17 (SAILSTAR)? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist — and they're the reason the boats above it have one.
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your EXPLORER 17 (SAILSTAR)?
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Used sails that fit the EXPLORER 17 (SAILSTAR)
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…