The Montgomery 17 is an American trailerable sailboat that was designed by Lyle Hess as a pocket cruiser and daysailer and first built in 1973.
It has a masthead sloop rig, a nearly-plumb stem, a vertical transom, a transom-hung rudder controlled by a tiller.
In the late 1970s a factory option allowed installation of a fourth cabin berth in place of the galley[1][4] For sailing downwind the design may be equipped with a symmetrical spinnaker.
[4] Jerry Montgomery wrote that, "When I had Lyle Hess design the 17 I gave him about 6 months worth of sketches, indicating what I wanted the boat to be like.
He wasn't excited about the keel/centerboard because of concerns about righting moment, and the knowledge that the drop keel would sit a bit lower on the trailer, which was a help in launching.
"[7] Montgomery 17s are recognized as safe and seaworthy pocket cruisers with yearly coastal passages on both the Eastern and Western United States.
She displays a good level of attention to detail in her construction, Worst features: With the same under body design as the Montgomery 15, compared to her comp[etitor]s she will have the same penalties.