SeaWard Fox 17
“ARROGANCE”, a 1990 Seaward Fox 17, by Starboard Yachts Company, is a beautiful sea worthy pocket cruiser that I feel was ever produced to date. The SeaWard Fox 17 lineage began years ago as the Slipper 17. The "Fox" has a very classic "nor’easterner" look to her... eight feet wide at the beam (nearly half as wide as she is long creating great stability), lots of curve to the shear, and some decent tumblehome back aft. She'll handle any weather while allowing one to remain confident and safe. With the bow pulpit, an extra two feet are added to her overall length of 19 foot plus. Having owned a Com Pac 16 and a 16/2, the SeaWard Fox 17 is a much better choice. Arrogance has the look of a traditional “cat boat” but retains the sail configuration of a sloop with a main sail, jib and for some excitement, a spinaker. With the main and jib, you have 170 sq ft of sail area powering a boat weighing a mere 1300 lbs of which 425 lbs are ballast. Being the eye catcher that she is, I spend more time on the launch ramp explaining her attributes to the many curious sailors than it takes to launch her. One person can easily rig, launch, sail and retrieve her. I bought the for a several reasons, her unique lines and for one day, my retirement boat.
With the sloop configuration for sails, three stays and a single pin at the mast tabernacle holds the mast up. Both side stays need only be set once. Only the front stay is attached and removed when one raises or lowers the mast. The mast is relatively light. Tightening of the forward stay turn buckle is easily accomplished in a few seconds. The attachment of the boom and sails but a few minutes more. No need for a boom vang as the center car traveler controls the main. The jib is a free setting sail and is easily brought down and stowed in the jib bag. The furling main sail has full battens and they are tensioned to form a “wing”. I installed sail slides versus the use of the rope slide configuration. This avoided the “binding” I sometimes encountered early on raising and lowering the sail. The Lazy Jack Lines, I installed, provides for an uncluttered cockpit when removing the sail cover and sail ties or dropping the mainsail when returning to port.
Under sail, I have found the SeaWard Fox needs to have more weight in the bow for optimum performance. I tend to store some heavier items in the forward portion of the vee berth and sit middle cockpit. The “cat boat” style rudder is fixed but allows for very quick decisive turns. She regains speed quickly when coming about. Having a free setting jib, the only sail controls one needs to set is for the main. Later models, produced by Hake (SeaWard) Yachts, came with a single carbon fiber mast, making the SeaWard Fox a true cat rigged boat. Unlike a cat with nine lives, the new design was short lived and so ended the Seaward Fox production. Hake Yachts produces some wonderful sailboats of very high standard for sailors wanting a unique combination of quality, performance and the versatility. They truly have a dedicated following of owners of past and present models, treating them with great respect. Additional information on the "vintage" SeaWard Fox can be found at: http://www.seawardyachts.com/vintage.html
ARROGANCE has a fixed wing shoal draft keel. No mechanical issues with a drop down/swing center board. The wing holds the hull in the water when heeling. Because of her wide beam and the winged keel, there is never a worry about going over. I've had many exciting runs with the gunwhales near the water. I find myself challenging her "to go over". The winged keel does not pose an issue when launching and retrieving. She has a draft of 19 inches which allows one to get pretty close to the shoreline.
The cockpit is spacious with comfortable seat cushions and nice back support. There is plenty of leg room for all onboard. I modified the sail control lines and they lead to the cockpit. No more leaving the cockpit to raise or drop the sails. An easily read compass and fish finder/depth detector are the only electronics in the cockpit. I replaced the single cabin hatchway board with a two piece oak board hatchway (easier storage) and added a screened vent to improve air flow in the cabin. A tiller extension comes in handy when moving forward.
The cabin interior is a lacking the "full wood decor" I have in my Starwind 223 but it is very clean and functional. Arrogance has two long cushioned bunks stretching under the cockpit and a stepped vee berth. Headroom is a drawback but considering you are out there to sail the cabin has all the requirements that one needs. Plenty storage is under both side bunks and especially under the V-berth. The forward hatch is smaller than one would like but it does allow for excellent ventilation. There is a molded sink in the cabin. I relocated breaker panel so it’s more accessible. While relocating, I decided to upgrade the panel.
Several 12 volt receptacles were added also. I changed over to LED interior and exterior lighting. The battery is a 12 volt gel cell stored aft of the hatchway entrance and under the cockpit with a "trickle charger" attached. I installed a 120 volt AC system so if you are dockside or in winter storage for conveinence. I also have a solar panel that is easily plugged into the electrical system to keep the battery charged while sailing or at dockside. A VHF radio is easily accessible from the cockpit or in the cabin. The porta-potty is just aft of the cabin hatchway so it is also out of sight and out of the way. Between the outer and inner hulls is foam flotation. There is no way you are going to sink her. I did add several access hatches to access between the two hulls and for running the additional electrical wiring.
She came equipped with a Honda 2hp four stroke outboard. It is a great outboard, problem free and enviromentally friendly. However, with no reverse gear, one has to be ready to swing the engine 180 degrees for reverse and be very nimble holding onto the throttle. This can be an issue when operating in close quarters and timing of your movements is critical. This year I am switching to my classic Evinrude 4.5hp two stroke. Weight is a little more than the Honda but the added power and convenience of a traditional F-N-R should make up for the difference. The Honda has an internal tank so one needs to carry a spare fuel tank. The Evinrude utilizes an external three gallon fuel tank. It will be an experiment I am looking forward to. If a "green lake" is my destination, I have a six speed, 47lb thrust Minn Kota that is easily installed.
The Performance trailer with its low profile wide tires makes towing, launching and retrieving a breeze. “Bearing buddies” are on the hubs. I installed an eight foot long sliding tongue extension of two inch square tubing. My tow vehicle never gets wet on the ramp.
When transporting or storing, the mast rests on the mast support between the bow pulpit and the taller mast support in the cockpit. The cockpit mast support has a roller at its top. The angle is such allows one to walk the mast to the mast tabernacle without any obstacles in the way. Both mast supports are removed before launching and stored in my tow vehicle.
