FAM
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 17.72 ft |
| LWL | 16.24 ft |
| Beam | 6.73 ft |
| Draft | 4.1 ft/ 0.75 ft min |
| Displacement | 970 lb |
| Ballast | 194 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 5.4 kn |
About the FAM
Perhaps the most popular pocket cruiser in Germany. Builder 1969-1980: Klepper-Werke, Rosenheim Builder since ca. 1980: Gruben Bootsbau GmbH
The FAM is a compact, lightweight trailer-sailer designed by Uwe Mares and Hubert Raudaschl and built by Klepper-Werke/Gruben Bootsbau in Germany. With 2500 hulls built starting in 1969, this 17.72 ft vessel is defined by its extreme light displacement of 970.0 lb and high sail area-to-displacement ratio of 26.76.
- Best for:
- This boat is ideal for single-handers or couples seeking a portable, trailerable day-sailer that offers exceptional performance in light to moderate winds due to its low weight and high SA/D ratio.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a capsize ratio of 2.72 and a comfort ratio of 7.08, the FAM is not designed for offshore bluewater cruising but is suitable for protected coastal waters and short trips.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include other German trailer-sailers from the late 1960s and 1970s with similar fractional sloop rigs and fin keels, such as the Klepper 360 or early models from Gruben, which share the emphasis on transportability and planing potential.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the FAM 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 17.72ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the FAMyet 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 FAM? 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 FAM?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Already know your engine? Search all engines → to find its exact parts.
Used sails that fit the FAM
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…