Open Classic 17 by Bateau.com

The OC17 is the open cockpit version of our C17, a compact cruiser with a seaworthy classic style hull similar to the C19.

The hull is identical to the C17 design: generous volume, ample freeboard, well defended bow. In proper hands, this boat can take bad weather safely. The deadrise is 45 degrees at the cutwater progressing towards 11 degrees at the transom. This is an ideal hull shape that will run smoothly in bad weather but with a vee moderate enough to provide good stability at slow speed without the wild roll typical of deeper vee hulls.

The cockpit is self bailing at DWL. The 8" wide gunwales and the coaming will keep the crew dry and safe. The deep cockpit is not only safe but gives that "big boat" feel particular to our Classic designs series. Despite all that volume, the hull is surprisingly light and does not require large engines to plane. The OC17 is a very economical boat especially when fitted with a 4 stroke outboard.

The open layout has a pair of side consoles and two seats forward, bow rider style. The forward cockpit can be covered with a canvas top with or without sides and turn into a little cabin. The seats are long enought to be used as berths: they are the same than in the cabin version.

This boats transom is designed for a standard 20" shaft. The transom can easily be modified to accept other shaft lengths.

The plans show several cockpit layouts: with or without benches and two different bench lengths. Since the benches are not structural, the builder has complete freedom to arrange the cokcpit to suit his preferences.The cabin bulkhead can be built with one or two consoles, with a closed or open port side.

An option to consider is positive and upright buoyancy (unsinkable boat). This can easily be easily achieved with our marine flotation foam. For production boats in that size, the USCG requires upright floatation.

Our foam kits provide 8 cubic feet of extra buoyancy per 2 gallon kit. This means that 4 gallons of foam (2 kits) will provide around 1,000 lbs of buoyancy and that is what we recommend.