Looking at a Sovereign 17- some questions

[Seafarer]

I found a (supposedly 1983) Sovereign 17 for $500 on a local Craigslist. The exterior is in very fair condition and it comes with a 7HP outboard that will need to be gone through but ran the last time it was used. The interior was described as "soft".... which accurately describes the rotted plywood that makes up the interior of this boat- laid out like the Adventurer 17. It will have to be completely gutted.

It has a fractional rig with no sails, and I am thinking a small catamaran sail could be used for the main. I have a 5-batten Hobie 14 mainsail and maybe an extra jib laying about. My area sees mainly lighter wind so I'm not too worried about putting a larger sail on the boat if I add some reef points.

Do any of you have experience with this make/model of boat? I'm mainly looking for something to get me out on the water that will handle similar to my larger boat (Cal Cruising 35) and the underwater profile on these is quite similar. I would like to use this boat to learn the skills I need to fix up the larger one- wiring, plumbing, 'glasswork, etc. and to test products I'd like to use on the bigger boat as well, like bottom paint, anti-skid, lighting....

I have a trailer that I could make to fit this boat and could haul it down to the Keys to cruise around a bit- would it be up to crossing the Gulf Stream and sailing the Bahamas? My big boat needs some big repairs so it won't be up to a trip like that for some time.

Picture is of the actual boat.

[tomwatt]

I just noticed this and wondered where you were on this?
I ran across some ads for a couple of Sovereign 23's more than a year ago with similar interior issues. Seemed like nice enough boats, although I wasn't too thrilled with the quality of the interior rebuild work that was being displayed.

[Seafarer]

It sold  before I could get it so I went bonkers and bought a 1984 Island Packet 26 instead  :o

[ntica]

pic's on the IP26' then?   and congrats to the new boat!