If you've been hunting for a windrider 17 for sale, you probably already know how hard it can be to snag one before someone else beats you to it. This boat has a bit of a cult following, and for good reason. It's not your average monohull that requires a crew of four just to get out of the marina. It's a trimaran that's built like a tank, sails like a dream, and lets you keep your hands free for a cold drink or a camera.
Finding one of these on the used market is always a bit of a treasure hunt. Since they aren't pumped out of a factory in massive numbers anymore, you really have to know where to look and what to keep an eye out for. Let's dig into why people are so obsessed with these things and how you can actually find a decent one without losing your mind.
Why everyone wants a Windrider 17
The Windrider 17 (or the WR17, as the enthusiasts call it) is basically the pickup truck of the sailing world. It's rugged, versatile, and doesn't care if you treat it a little rough. Most people who are looking for a windrider 17 for sale are tired of the constant maintenance that comes with fiberglass boats. This thing is made of rotomolded polyethylene—the same stuff high-end kayaks are made of. You can literally run it up onto a rocky beach, and instead of a heart-wrenching crack, you just get a little scuff.
That hands-free steering
The biggest selling point, hands down, is the foot-pedal steering. Most boats have you stuck at the back with a tiller or a wheel, but the WR17 lets you sit comfortably in a cockpit seat while you steer with your feet. This is a game-changer. It means your hands are free to trim the sails, check your GPS, or just relax. It makes solo sailing incredibly easy. If you've ever tried to tack a standard dinghy by yourself in a stiff breeze, you know the struggle of juggling the tiller, the mainsheet, and your own balance. On the Windrider, you just push a pedal and pull a line.
Durability that's hard to beat
Because the hulls are plastic, you don't have to worry about osmosis, gelcoat blisters, or polishing the hull every spring. It's a "hosen-go" boat. You take it out, have a blast, bring it back, spray it down, and you're done. This durability is why the resale value stays so high. When you see a windrider 17 for sale, even if it's ten years old, it's probably still in great structural shape.
Where to look when you're ready to buy
Since you won't find these sitting in every local boat dealership, you have to be a bit more strategic with your search. The market for these is nationwide, and sometimes people will drive five or six states away just to pick one up.
First off, check the specialized sites. Sailing Texas is a classic—it's like a time capsule of a website, but it's where all the serious small-trimaran owners hang out. You'll often find detailed listings there with plenty of history.
Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are your next best bets, but you have to be fast. Set up alerts for "Windrider 17" so you get a notification the second one pops up. Also, don't forget the Windrider-specific forums and owner groups. People often post there before they list the boat publicly because they'd rather sell to someone who "gets" what the boat is all about.
What to inspect before handing over the cash
When you finally track down a windrider 17 for sale, don't let the excitement blind you. Even though they're tough, they aren't indestructible. There are a few specific things you need to check before you hook it up to your trailer.
The hull and the crossbars
Take a close look at the main hull and the amas (the small outer hulls). Look for "oil canning," which is when the plastic gets soft and starts to dent inward. Usually, this happens if the boat was stored improperly on a trailer without enough support. It's not always a dealbreaker, but it's something to know.
The most important parts are the akas—the crossbars that hold the whole thing together. Check the connection points where the akas slide into the hulls. You want everything to be snug. If there's a ton of play or if the hardware looks corroded, you might have some work ahead of you.
The sails and the rigging
Most WR17s come with a reacher (a big, powerful sail on a furler) in addition to the main sail. These sails can be expensive to replace, so pull them out and look for sun damage. If the fabric feels crunchy or paper-thin, it's been left out in the UV too long. Also, check the trampolines. The mesh "tramps" between the hulls are where your passengers will spend most of their time. If they're sagging or the stitching is rotting, that's a significant cost to factor into your offer.
Trailering and storage
One of the best things about finding a windrider 17 for sale is that it usually comes with a trailer. This is a boat you can keep in your driveway. However, it is wide. When the boat is fully assembled, it's way too wide for the road. The whole system is designed to "telescope" in, meaning the outer hulls slide closer to the main hull for transport.
Make sure the sliding mechanism actually works. If the boat has been sitting in salt water for five years without being rinsed, those bars might be seized up. You don't want to find that out at the boat ramp while three other people are waiting behind you to launch.
The sailing experience: What it's really like
Sailing a Windrider 17 is just fun. It's not a high-stress experience. Because it's a trimaran, it doesn't tip over like a monohull. You'll feel it heel a little bit, but then it just locks in and goes. It's a very stable platform, which makes it perfect for taking kids or dogs out on the water.
It's also surprisingly fast. In a good breeze, you can easily outrun much larger cruising boats. You'll get wet, though. Because you're sitting so low to the water and the boat is moving fast, you're going to catch some spray. Most owners wear a light splash jacket or just embrace the fact that they're going to be damp by the end of the day.
If the wind dies down, most WR17s have a small motor mount. People usually throw a 2hp Honda or a small electric Torqeedo on there. It doesn't take much to push this boat along, and having that backup is great for when you're trying to get back to the dock against a tide.
Final thoughts on joining the WR17 club
Finding a windrider 17 for sale can feel like a marathon, but it's worth the effort. There really isn't anything else on the water that offers this specific mix of stability, speed, and "don't-care" durability. Whether you're an experienced sailor looking to simplify your life or a total newbie who wants a boat that won't freak you out, the Windrider 17 fits the bill.
Keep your eyes on the classifieds, have your cash ready, and don't be afraid to travel a bit to get the right one. Once you're out on the water, sitting in that cockpit with your feet on the pedals and the wind catching the sails, you'll realize why these boats never stay on the market for long. It's pure, uncomplicated fun, and at the end of the day, isn't that why we get into sailing in the first place?