Back to Search
Bandit 17
Designer: Rod Macalpine-Downie / Dick Gibbs  ·  Builder: Sail Mfg (Usa)  ·  First built: 1972
+ Add to Compare
About the Bandit 17

Designed by the accomplished duo of Rod Macalpine-Downie and Dick Gibbs, this compact 17-footer emerged in 1972 as a versatile centerboard dinghy that bridges the gap between recreational sailing and spirited performance. Built by Sail Manufacturing in the USA using fiberglass construction, the Bandit 17 showcases the era's emphasis on combining durability with accessible sailing characteristics. The fractional sloop rig delivers impressive sail-carrying ability with 162 square feet of canvas, while the centerboard configuration provides shallow-water versatility that fixed-keel boats simply cannot match. At 520 pounds displacement, this lightweight design achieves a theoretical hull speed of 5.43 knots, making it responsive in light air yet manageable for newer sailors developing their skills. With a sail area-to-displacement ratio of 40.14, the Bandit 17 offers spirited performance that appeals to both recreational sailors and those seeking club racing excitement. The 3.32 capsize screening value indicates good stability characteristics for coastal and protected water sailing, while the low comfort ratio of 3.87 confirms this boat's focus on day sailing rather than extended cruising. The 4-foot draft provides reasonable upwind performance while maintaining excellent shallow-water access for beach launching and exploration.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 16.40 ft / 5.00 m
Beam 6.67 ft / 2.03 m
Max Draft 4.00 ft / 1.22 m
Min Draft 0.67 ft / 0.20 m
Displacement 520.00 lb / 236 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 162.00 ft² / 15.05 m²
Headroom 3.17 ft / 0.97 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard Dinghy
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Rod Macalpine-Downie / Dick Gibbs
Builder Sail MFG (USA)
First Built 1972
Associations MFG Sailboats
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Known Issues & What to Watch For

No known issues documented for this model yet.

Own or have surveyed a Bandit 17? Submit a known issue

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
 40.14
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
 52.63
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
 3.87
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
 3.32
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. 5.43 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. 390.86 pounds/inch
Find a Bandit 17 For Sale
Y YachtWorld Brokerage listings S Sailboat Listings Sailboats only C Craigslist National search F Facebook Marketplace Local listings B boats.com Global marketplace