Jeanneau Sun Fast 17

A light 5.35 m centreboard yacht Jeanneau no longer builds, easy to launch alone and sleeping up to four, for families who like shallow water and beaches.

The Sun Fast 17 was built around easy handling. One person can launch her from a slipway and raise the mast, and the retractable pole makes the asymmetric spinnaker simpler to set than you might expect on a boat this size.

With the centreboard up she draws just 25 cm, and her flat bottom lets her settle on a beach with no need for legs. That opens up shallow anchorages and drying spots that deeper boats have to leave alone.

For a hull of 5.05 m, there's a fair bit of room inside. She was the smallest yacht in Jeanneau's cruising range with proper accommodation, and up forward there's a big double berth with lockers above and below it. Two single quarter berths aft mean a family of four can sleep aboard.

The cabin is brighter than you'd guess from outside. Well placed ports and a clear Plexiglas entry hatch let in plenty of daylight.

She's no longer in production, so any you come across will be second hand.