Leisure 17: The Mini at sea in a used boat test

The current minibus is a comfortable car for two people, but too small as a family car. The original, on the other hand, is tiny, but was designed as a vehicle for four adults. The demands for space and comfort have shifted considerably in recent decades, and this is also reflected in boat building. In this comparison, the Leisure 17 is the original Mini.

The Leisure 17 measures just five metres

It's hard to believe that this little boat, just over five metres long, was described as a boat for young families by the then YACHT chief tester Michael Naujok in 1979. When stepping on board, you have to coordinate with your co-sailor who goes aft on which side; two adults on one side puts the Leisure 17 in a strong leaning position. It is also not advisable for two people to stay on the foredeck: firstly, it is very narrow, and secondly, the bow fitting almost dips into the water. The side decks are barely wide enough to walk aft on.

Alternatively, the way into the cockpit is via the superstructure. Once there, you are very well protected, the pushpit encloses the entire self-draining cockpit and extends right up to the superstructure. Two people can sit comfortably, and there would also be room on the opposite cockpit, but then it would be cramped with your legs in the cockpit. At the front of the bridge deck, the cockpit measures 1.50 metres in width and is therefore a few centimetres wider than it is long.

The test boat is moored on Lake Ratzeburg. The advantage of the shallow draught of the bilge keel version becomes apparent as soon as you cast off. With a draught of just 65 centimetres, steering backwards out of the box almost into the reeds is no problem. The small electric motor pushes the Leisure 17, which weighs 670 kilograms empty but is significantly heavier with crew and equipment, away from the shore and onto the lake.

The Leisure 17 under sail

The mainsail and jib are set quickly, and with the six metre high mast, the halyard does not have to be pulled often until the cloths are in place. The mast is top-rigged and is held vertically by a pair of upper and lower shrouds. There is a relatively strong wind on the lake. With 12 knots and gusts up to 16 knots of wind, we are already dealing with a good 4 Beaufort. The Leisure translates this into movement accordingly, heading out onto the lake with half the wind. A first look at the trim options: More halyard tension would be desirable, but the cleats retrofitted next to the sliding hatch are slipping a little, so the owner's pragmatic solution is two cleats behind them to additionally secure the halyards.

The centre points can also be adapted to the smaller headsail. This is not possible on every Leisure 17, but our test boat has rails. However, the one on starboard is missing ten centimetres at the front: Two screws were loose and the rail had broken off. The backstay is fastened to the stern with a capstan and can be tensioned with a tackle. The traveller moves independently to leeward when tacking, the pinstop lock is missing the pin.

More tiny devices: the competition for the Leisure 17

But that's not a problem. As soon as we have left the shore zone behind us and the first gusts put pressure on the sails, the GPS shows just over five knots of speed over ground - hull speed. In the meantime, we've dropped off a bit and the wind is blowing into the sails at 110 degrees. Between gusts, the GPS fluctuates between 4.4 and 4.7 knots. You have a good view forwards from the tiller.

The Leisure sails straight ahead. The YACHT test from 1979 reads astonishingly: on the first day of the test, 6 Beaufort and swell are mentioned, whereby almost five knots were achieved on rough courses - a remarkably low value for all the wind. Under these conditions, however, the Leisure 17 is said to have travelled 45 degrees to the true wind despite the swell on the windward side - a value that could not be reproduced in the current test without swell and with moderate conditions. After a few tacks, the angle was 50 to 55 degrees. More is perhaps possible, but then the boat almost comes to a standstill. So it was better to drop the few degrees and let the boat run. The GPS then showed 4.2 to 4.5 knots, nice values for a 4.27 metre waterline.

In somewhat stronger gusts, the rudder pressure increased noticeably. As soon as the rubbing strake moved towards the surface of the water and the boat reached 25 degrees, it started to luff uncontrollably. Weight trim became very noticeable. While it was still possible to steer from leeward without any problems in 12 knots of wind, both sailors had to sit upwind in the gusts to avoid excessive leeway and therefore excessive rudder pressure. However, the test judgement from 40 years ago is still correct: the sailing characteristics are good-natured and problem-free.

Across the Atlantic on the Leisure 17

The Leisure 17 was built at the English shipyard Cobramold from 1965 to 1990. The YACHT test from 1979 reports over 2600 units produced; by 1990 a remarkable 4500 boats had been built. Most of them were delivered with cast-iron bilge keels. However, there was also a central keel version with a draught of one metre and around 30 kilograms more ballast. The design of the deck was changed from 1980 onwards. The Leisure SL has angular superstructure windows and a little more space below deck.

In 1967, the German John Adam sailed from England to Cuba in a Leisure 17. The successful Atlantic crossing established the reputation of the tiny boat's astonishing seaworthiness. However, the Cuban authorities did not trust Adam's story at the time and initially arrested him on suspicion of espionage. Nobody wanted to believe that he had managed the crossing from Europe in this small boat - a remarkable achievement considering the very small living and stowage space for such a long distance.

Typical weak points of the Leisure 17

The deck in the foredeck area can become soft over time. Refurbishment is time-consuming as the inner shell is in the way. This is why it has been removed from some models. However, no Leisure has ever fallen apart due to a soft deck. The same problem can also occur at the base of the mast and is then visible as hairline cracks. The windows of models built before 1980 are not tight, and the tiller often has play in the rudder cokers, which interferes with steering.

The Leisure 17 below deck

The companionway takes you one step down into the living, sleeping, storage and cooking areas. The old test sums it up in one sentence: "You can't talk about standing height in this sea dwarf." Sitting is possible, however, and it should not be forgotten that the Leisure is only slightly longer than a pirate. On the other hand, the space below deck has been very well utilised. There is plenty of light through the windows and the windscreen ensures a good all-round view. The floor, benches or berths, backrests and headliner are moulded into the two inner shells. On our test boat, the panel at the deck-hull connection was missing; this is where the upper and lower inner shells come together. This allowed us to take a look into the space in between, which is not filled with foam.

Little storage space

There is storage space under the cushions. When the covers are folded up, they also reveal the reinforcements and the keel bolts. However, these are overlaminated - it is not possible to find out how they really are. A practical storage compartment is accessible when the back cushion is folded up. In addition, the slip berths under the cockpit thwarts offer space for sails. In principle, there are bunks for four people, but even the old test report, which describes the Leisure as a cruising boat for young families, advises against cruising with four adults. In fact, the cushions are only 185 centimetres long and barely 60 centimetres wide. When putting on the oilskins below deck, it becomes clear how limited the space is: to slip into your trousers, you have to stretch out across the entire width of the saloon and still bump into everything.

There is a cover in the bow, under which there is a recess for a chemical toilet. If you decide not to take it with you, you can also use this area as storage space. There is space for the cooker under the companionway and a saloon table can be attached to the mast support. An additional support for the table was retrofitted on the test boat.

Spoilt for choice of territory

The Leisure 17 was designed by Arthur Howard for English coastal waters. The shallow draught and chine keel also predestine her for the Elbe and Wadden Sea. That leaves the question of price. The owner bought the test boat for 750 euros - but with considerable damage after another yacht drifted onto it during a storm in the harbour. Therefore, 1000 euros must be added for the repair. There are also some offers for less than 2000 euros on classified ad portals and used boat exchanges, even some with a trailer and outboard motor. So the Leisure 17 is an unbeatably favourable entry-level boat.

The Leisure 17 in detail

Technical data of the Leisure 17

• Designer: Arthur Howard
• Torso length: 5,18 m
• Waterline length: 4,27 m
• Width: 2,13 m
• Depth: 0,65 m
• Weight: 670 kg
• Ballast/proportion: 250 kg/37 %
• Mainsail: 7,7 m2
• Genoa: 9,3 m2
• Fock: 6,0 m2

Hull and deck construction

Solid GRP with polyester resin, hand rest. Inner shell

Price and shipyard

• Base price ex shipyard 1979: 11,800 DM
• Used boats: from under € 2000

Shipyard

Cobramold England. The shipyard no longer exists

YACHT review of the Leisure 17

Small trailer boat for coastal cruises. Individual and indestructible design with good sailing characteristics. Available to buy second-hand at a favourable price

Design and concept

• + Optimum utilisation of space
• + Self-draining cockpit
• + Chine keels good in tidal areas
• + Protected cockpit

Sailing performance and trim

• + Good-natured sailing characteristics
• - No fore sheet winches
• - Does not travel very high

Living and finishing quality

• + Lots of window space, lots of light
• + Good usable storage space
• - Narrow bunks

The article first appeared in YACHT 12/2019 and has been updated for the online version.