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Antares 17
 ·  Builder: Sovereign Yacht Co. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1987
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About the Antares 17

Built by Sovereign Yacht Co. starting in 1987, this compact 17-footer demonstrates thoughtful design proportions that make it an appealing choice for small boat sailors seeking both performance and practicality. The fiberglass construction features a fin keel with transom-hung rudder configuration, providing responsive handling while maintaining the shallow 1.83-foot draft that opens up skinny-water cruising opportunities. With a fractional sloop rig carrying 138 square feet of sail area, the Antares 17 delivers spirited performance for its size. The sail area-to-displacement ratio of 20.15 suggests good light-air capability, while the moderate displacement of 1,150 pounds keeps the boat manageable for trailering and launching. The substantial ballast ratio, with 480 pounds of ballast, contributes to reassuring stability. The boat's dimensions create a surprisingly roomy cockpit for day sailing and short coastal cruises. Its low comfort ratio of 8.72 and favorable capsize screening value of 2.68 indicate this design prioritizes sailing performance over extended cruising amenities, making it ideal for active sailors who enjoy responsive boat handling. The theoretical hull speed of 5.10 knots provides adequate performance for recreational sailing, while the beam of seven feet offers good initial stability for crew comfort.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 14.50 ft / 4.42 m
Beam 7.00 ft / 2.13 m
Max Draft 1.83 ft / 0.56 m
Displacement 1,150.00 lb / 522 kg
Ballast 480.00 lb / 218 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 138.00 ft² / 12.82 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/transom hung rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Builder Sovereign Yacht Co. (USA)
First Built 1987
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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 20.15
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 41.74
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 168.4
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 8.72
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 2.68
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 5.10 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 362.67 pounds/inch
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