Favorite Skipper 17 Version

Article By Burt Revell
Hi Shorty,

After looking over all the Skipper 17 versions my favorite is the Mark II built between 1985 and 1992. Although the Eagle 525 is more refined I'm not too interested in an outboard well smack dab in the cockpit and the additional 400 lbs of added weight. The Mark II in my eyes is a proper little yacht and after having spent some time in the cabin of the Gloucester/Newport/Neptune 16 I can see that the Skipper 17 Mark II extra foot of length has huge benefits with a cockpit over 8 ft long and a cabin actually capable of being comfortable in for overnighting. The Mark II has its own anchor well, good in heavy weather with slab reefing on the main and roller furling on the jib, a tabernacle that allows easy single handed mast raising, room for a portapottie, a table that stores up in the cabin top or slides down for more room in the vee berth, an opening forward hatch for good air circulation, the v cutout in the transom for the tiller , huge side ports to make the cabin light and airy and galvanized bilge plates. You had enough experience on the Holder/Vagabond 17 to appreciate some of these features. Here are a few photos showing the Mark II

A simple pulley system for raising the bilge plates from the cockpit

Table that slides up to store in the cabin top

Room for a portapottie

Lots of room in the cockpit

Cutout in transom for tiller

A boom tent that actually allows you to sleep four on a 17 footer. Two in the cabin and two in the cockpit. Probably wouldn't want to but in a pinch it could be done.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and to my eyes the Mark II is a beauty.

This is not a Mark II but does show how the pulley system for the bilge plates goes into the cockpit.

I like to pour over the photos of the boats that interest me and just noticed that the early versions of the Skipper Mariner with twin bilge lifting keels still had a cockpit floor resembling the single plate version. (notice the bilge lifting keel lines) There is no need now for that hump in the floor other than to brace yourself but I suspect it was just easier for the builder not to make a new mould for the early twin plate version. I read your article about camping in the Holder 12 with the tent setup and saw the headroom you like. This Skipper 17 with 35 inches above the seats would work well for you. See the guy in the cabin?

Burt