The 17 Square Meter is a one-design sailing yacht with a sloop rig and spinnaker. It has a fixed keel with 850 pounds of cast iron or lead and a 1620 pound sailing displacement. It is twenty-four feet nine inches in Length, 5’ 1 ½” in Beam with seventeen square meters (183 square feet) of sail area, originally.

The Class ensign, a red 17 in a Square indicates the vessels are a Square meter boat versus the 12 Meter Class which has a line under the 12 indicating a linear rule. The 12 Meter class raced for the Americas Cup from 1958-87 and other classes are also designed to the linear International Rule, like the 6 Meter Class. There were other popular Square Meter boats such as the 22 Square Meter.
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The first boat, 17 #1 was built on Walloon over the Winter of 1933-34 by Bill Loughlin & Henry (Jordan) Cawthra and she again sails on Walloon Lake. A total of 42 17s have been built over their 90 year history, first in wood and later in fiberglass. We still actively race 17s on Walloon Lake, the only fleet in existence.

The Walloon 17 Foundation was formed to protect, preserve, and perpetuate the 17 Square Meter Class. This includes the design, the boats, and the history of the 17s. The Foundation published a book on the 17s, it sponsors WYC Races and racing clinics, and just celebrated the 90th Anniversary of the 17 Class. The Foundation recently purchased the Molds for the 17 and is investigating building more fiberglass 17s. The Foundation sponsors training, races and other events to promote 17s and administers the 17 Class. The Foundation has published articles and a book and will continue finding new techniques to share the history and legacy. It invites sailors and Wallooners who appreciate 17s to contribute their knowledge and stories. The Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization.

Contact Bill Bray for more information, bill.bray30@gmail.com or 832-702-6227

This is a hardcover coffee table book about the history of the 17 Square Meter sailboat designed, built and still sailing on Walloon Lake. It contains 87 pages of pictures, history and families who owned the classic sloop sailboat.

Seventeens of Walloon Lake – DONATION – Proceeds go to the 17 Foundation
$59.00
The Walloon 17 Foundation has published; Seventeens of Walloon Lake a hardcover coffee table book about the history of the 17 Square Meter sailboat designed, built and still sailing on Walloon Lake. It contains 87 pages of pictures, history and families who owned the classic sloop sailboat.