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Monarch 17 Nz
Designer: Alan Wright  ·  Builder: Tasman Yachts (Nz)  ·  First built: 1976
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About the Monarch 17 Nz

Designed by Alan Wright and built by Tasman Yachts in New Zealand starting in 1976, this compact 17-footer represents solid Kiwi craftsmanship from an era when small cruising sailboats emphasized seaworthiness over speed. With 250 hulls produced, the Monarch 17 Nz found a dedicated following among sailors seeking an affordable entry into coastal cruising and weekend sailing. The boat's most distinctive feature is its swing keel design, allowing the 3.44-foot draft to be reduced significantly for shallow water exploration and easy trailer launching. This versatility makes it particularly appealing for gunkholing in protected waters and accessing beaches or shallow anchorages that would challenge fixed-keel boats of similar size. The fiberglass construction provides durability with minimal maintenance requirements. At 1,300 pounds with 399 pounds of ballast, the Monarch 17 Nz offers reasonable stability for its size class, though the comfort ratio of 9.16 suggests it's best suited for day sailing and short coastal hops rather than extended offshore passages. The fractional sloop rig with 169 square feet of sail area provides adequate power for light to moderate conditions, making this an ideal boat for learning sailing fundamentals or enjoying relaxed coastal adventures with family.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 17.06 ft / 5.20 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 15.49 ft / 4.72 m
Beam 7.15 ft / 2.18 m
Max Draft 3.44 ft / 1.05 m
Min Draft 0.98 ft / 0.30 m
Displacement 1,300.00 lb / 590 kg
Ballast 399.00 lb / 181 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 169.00 ft² / 15.70 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Swing Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Alan Wright
Builder Tasman Yachts (NZ)
First Built 1976
Number Built 250
Owner Reviews

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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
 22.75
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
 30.69
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
 156.15
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
 9.16
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
 2.62
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. 5.27 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. 395.73 pounds/inch
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