Leisure Owners Association 1982-2025
Approximate Dates for Leisure 17 Hull/Build Numbers 1967-1980
From 1967 to 1980, it appears that the builder's plaque usually fixed to the forward bulkhead did not include the date of manufacture.
The original records for early Leisure yachts were reported lost in the fire at Brinecraft in 1987, but subsequent information has come to light that at least some records were left with Michael Schmitz in Germany when Tom Winyard of Brinecraft returned to England.
However conversations with the late Brian Meerloo in 2010, proved helpful in securing a guide to the build numbers of Leisure 17's from the beginning in 1967 to the collapse of Cobramold into receivership in 1980.
Thereafter Brinecraft continued to build Leisure 17s, and Leisure 23s for another seven years until Brinecraft's catastrophic fire in 1987.
It has not been possible, so far, to estimate any build numbers from 1980, apart from making the assumption that hull numbers above 3100 are probably from Brinecraft.
The build/hull number is stamped on the metal builder's plaque usually fixed to the forward bulkhead.
Original Leisure 17s and 17SLs
1967-1980
Year: Number Yachts completed
1967 1 - 200
1968 201 - 400
1969 401 - 600
1970 601 - 800
1971 801 - 1000
1972 1001 - 1200 No 1000 presented to a Mr Hayes, a blind sailor
1973 1201 - 1450 No 1244 confirmed as 1973
1974 1451 - 1700
1975 1701 - 1950 No 1840 confirmed as 1975
1976 1951 - 2200
1977 2201 - 2450
1978 2451 - 2700
1979 2701 - 2950
1980 2951 - 3100 Cobramold close down
1981 to 1987 L17s produced by Brinecraft, probably another 500 plus yachts.
From 1967-1972 , Cobramold Leisure 17 production numbers were around 4 yachts per week in a 50 week production year, so around 200 yachts per year.
This increased to 250 per year from 1973, when Brian Meerloo introduced the latest "time and motion" methods of working in the Cobramold factory at Stansted.