Solid Construction

The hull is built in solid GRP and apart from the very earliest models, the cabin top  and sides having GRP linings. This construction provides great strength and maximum insulation.

Cast iron fin or twin keel configurations are available, with the twin keel version having a high aspect ratio hydrofoil section.

Rudder and skeg are glassfibre with stainless steel framework and fittings. 

Engine Power 4/5hp Outboard

Auxiliary power is normally provided by a 4 or 5 hp long shaft outboard on a transom mounted bracket. 

The spars are made of aluminium alloy, originally gold, the spars of later boats are black or silver. Halyards are internal. Standing rigging and rigging screws are in stainless steel.

The large self-draining cockpit has a transom locker for a gas bottle and storage for the outboard when not in use.

However, these days,  larger four-stroke, long-shaft outboards will not fit easily in this locker.

The deck has moulded non-slip areas for safe working.

Accommodation

Down below, a four berth arrangement is standard, two in the fore peak and one either side in the main cabin that run down the whole length of the cabin. 

A camping type gas hob and grill is normally fitted under the companionway. 

Alternatively, a three berth arrangement is possible, with a large cockpit sail locker replacing one of the quarter berths.

Overview by R Russell

 A lightweight trailer-sailer with masthead rig. Four full-length berths. Twin keels and skeg mounted rudder.

Construction

 One piece (white) moulded GRP hull with cast-iron twin ballast keels and skeg mounted rudder which allows the boat to take to the ground safely. 

Shallow draught for easy launching and exploring shallow creeks. 

GRP deck moulding with non slip surface, encapsulated reinforced plywood pads beneath fittings. 

Hull-to-deck joints bonded with GRP and fitted with teak gunwales bolted through hull and deck joint.

Accommodation

 Internal GRP moulded, forming four full length settee berths/seating. Area lit by perspex windows both sides and forward, with vented cabin top. 

The mast support accommodates a height adjustable, pivoting table with fiddles. 

Under-berth stowage areas have loose ply covers supporting 3″ fabric covered tailored cushions.

Backrests in matching 2″ fabric, Velcro-fixed to glove box type stowage space, with shelf over. Bulkheads trimmed in teak ply. The aft berths continue below cockpit.

Cooking

Two burner hob with grill is situated centrally below the gangway and powered by gas stored in the aft locker.

Toilet

Portable chemical toilet is located forward of the mast support in a GRP moulded stowage compartment, concealed beneath a matching fabric covered lift-off hood.

Cockpit

Waterproof vinyl covered cushions. Self-draining cockpit sole with crossover outlets.

 Access to the cabin is forward and central via a sliding hatch and two washboards, one of which is vented. Spray dodgers protect the cockpit. 

An optional boom tent, fitted with side windows and integral blinds, attaches to the mast and guard rails. 

Depth sounder display and compass mounting are fitted.

 Mooring cleats are mounted on each rear quarter.

Electrical System

Fed from a 12V, 44 amp/hr battery fitted in the externally vented aft locker. Wiring is led to the cabin via conduit to a key operated isolating switch. 

There is a fused 3-way supply and switched feeds to a radio/cassette, a depth sounder, twin cabin lighting with twin cigarette lighter socket outlets for accessories.

 VHF Handheld and GPS Handheld.

Rigging

Aluminium mast and roller-reefing boom. Stainless steel inner and outer shrouds with raked back spreaders, single forestay and split twin backstay. 

The mast contains four internal halyards each with its own cleat. 

The mainsheet is 4:1 to a traveller mounted aft of the cockpit. 

Optional roller furling headsail, sheets led via travellers to jamming cleats with integral fairleads.

Guard Rails 

4mm or 6mm, 7 x 19 stainless steel cables running between pushpit and pulpit rails supported by two further intermediate stanchions providing continuous protection. A link rail is provided aft centrally over the transom to assist boarding access.

Anchor Locker

Self-draining and forward within the pulpit area containing a 5 kg Bruce anchor, 14m of chain and 18m of warp, which can be fed through the bow roller/fairlead and attached to a central mooring cleat.

Aft Locker 

Full width/depth of transom contains 12V Battery, Camping Gaz bottle and vacuum lift fuel tank, vented externally and lockable via a warp led into the cabin with cam-cleat. Stowage also for fenders, warps, etc.

Engine

 4 or 5 hp outboard mounted on folding transom bracket with an integral charging system.  Morse remote controls are mounted on the starboard pulpit rail.

Boarding ladder

Situated to the portside of the transom with a centre clip on guard rail to assist boarding access.

Sails

Main, Genoa, Storm Jib and Spinnaker.

The Leisure 17 is quite often raced, with significant success in small cruiser classes.

 However, the only racing handicap information we have are Portsmouth Yardstick (PY), Secondary Yardstick (SY), various Recorded Numbers (RN) and Club Numbers (CN) as shown below.

For cruising boats, The RYA has updated the Portsmouth Yardstick scheme with the National Handicap for Cruisers (NHC). 

More up to date information may be obtainable from the RYA NHC site and the Byron  web site.

Portsmouth, Secondary or Recorded number

Keel        Engine                   Source/Number/Year

Twin      Outboard             PY1285 (2000),   PY1340 (1983),  SY1280 (1999)   RN1290 (1996)    RN1360 (1988)    

Byron Software Club Number

Knots     Keel     Eng    Furl      uSAD     dSAD    ByCN

5.02       Fin         ob                      17.6        25.0    1186

5.02       Twin    ob         rr           15.5       26.5    1258