Mongomery 17

Description

The Montgomery 17 (often called the Monty 17) is a compact, trailerable pocket cruiser and daysailer designed by legendary American naval architect Lyle Hess (known for his bluewater pocket cruisers like the Bristol Channel Cutter) and built by Montgomery Marine Products (founded by Jerry Montgomery in Dana Point, California, USA) starting in 1973. Early hulls had a fixed keel, but most production shifted to a swing keel (keel/centerboard) for trailering and shallow-water access; a flush-deck variant was also offered. Approximately several hundred hulls were built over the years (exact count not precisely documented, but a dedicated owners' group exists with hull numbers up to 375+), and the design remains popular for its seaworthiness in a small package—capable of moderate offshore passages (e.g., Bahamas, Pacific islands, even a full Mississippi River transit), yet light enough to trailer easily. It features a beamy lapstrake-style hull for strength and stability, a masthead sloop rig for predictable performance, positive foam flotation for unsinkability, and a cozy interior (berths for 4 with V-forward + saloon settees, small galley/heads)—praised for its "big boat" feel, dry ride, and forgiving nature in chop.