I picked up a 1982 SC17 for $2500 this past summer to sail the windy afternoons at Cowichan Lake on Vancouver Island. I am really a novice sailor with good fundamentals - read a lot in preparation for cat sailing. I can tell you that the SC17 is a blast, a rocket flying a hull on the edge of thrill and terror; but thankfully no pitch poling in heavy wind and water. Several times I buried the bow, eased the sail ever so slightly and the bow came up like a surfacing sub. Quite easily clocking 25 knots and unbeaten against a Nacra 6.0 and a 5.5, and numerous Hobies. The others look at my 25 year old SC17 in amazement! I can't wait for next summer, so much so I think I'll do some winter sailing off Victoria BC. THanks Bill Roberts!!!