Leisure 17 Build Numbers 1967-1980

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.