Description
The Penobscot 17, a lightweight glued-lapstrake plywood daysailer/cruiser/rowboat designed by Arch Davis (Arch Davis Design, Maine, USA). Introduced as a larger evolution of the Penobscot 14 (inspired by builder requests for more capacity while retaining similar shapely, sea-kindly lines), it features traditional aesthetics with a fine high bow, double-ended hull, and five-strake planking for excellent rowing efficiency, stability, and performance in protected waters, coastal exploring, or camp-cruising. The design emphasizes amateur-friendly construction (stitch-and-glue or glued-lapstrake plywood/epoxy, full-size patterns, no lofting; kits/plans available), positive flotation for safety, a centerboard/daggerboard for shallow draft, and versatile sailing/rowing balance. Arch Davis offers three interchangeable rigs: gunter sloop (most common in reviews), ketch (yawl-like with main + mizzen for easy shorthanded control, reefing, and heavy-weather versatility), and schooner. It's praised for spirited sailing (responsive, dry, and stable), excellent rowing (tracks well, not much slower than kayaks), trailerability, and family/small-group use; production is plans/kit-based (via Arch Davis Design, Duckworks, or WoodenBoat), with many hulls built by home builders (hundreds estimated across variants), and remains available today.
