[1][2][3][4] The design was built by the Florida Bay Boat Company and by Sovereign Yachts in the United States, from 1981 to 1986, but it is now out of production.
[1][2][5][6] The Mud Hen 17 is a recreational sailboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with wood trim.
It is a gaff rigged catboat rig with a plumb stem, an angled, transom, a transom-hung rudder controlled by a tiller and a retractable centerboard.
[1][2] The boat is an open dinghy, but may be fitted with a canvas dodger.
[1][2] The boat has a draft of 3.50 ft (1.07 m) with the centerboard extended and 6 in (15 cm) with it retracted, allowing operation in shallow water, beaching or ground transportation on a trailer.