Vagabond 17

The Vagabond 17 is an American trailerable sailboat that was designed by Ron Holder as a pocket cruiser and first built in 1976.

The design was developed into the Holder 17 in 1982.

Production
The design was built by Vagabond Boats in the United States. A total of 400 boats were built, but it is now out of production.

Design
The Vagabond 17 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with teak wood trim. It has a fractional sloop rig with aluminum spars. The hull has a raked stem, a vertical transom, a transom-hung rudder controlled by a tiller and a locking swing keel. It displaces 950 lb and carries 345 lb of ballast.

The boat has a draft of 4.17 ft with the swing keel extended and 1.67 ft with it retracted, allowing beaching or ground transportation on a trailer.

The design has sleeping accommodation for four people, with a split double "V"-berth in the bow and two quarter berths in the main cabin. The galley includes a sink and water tank. The head is located behind a partial bulkhead.

For sailing the design can be equipped with a 150% genoa and optional winches for handling it. There is a bow-mounted stainless steel pulpit and the hull is equipped with positive flotation. It can be equipped with an asymmetrical spinnaker of 165 sqft.

Operational history
In a 1994 review Richard Sherwood described the design as, "a little overnighter".

A Sailrite review noted, "the Vagabond 17 small cabin but it is roomy enough for a couple or a small family. With a galley and private head it is great for short overnight trips. It has a locking swing keel which makes for easy launching and beaching."