If it is truly a jib, then yes, you need a bow spreader. The reason is that using a jib requires much shorter bridle wires than are used on the uni-rig version of the 17. Shortening the bridle wires magnifies the inward loading on the bows when the mainsheet is tensioned. Since the 17 was not originally designed to support this inboard load, you risk breaking off the bows without a spreader. The bow tangs are also not designed for a high degree of inboard load.
That said, back when the 17 was first introduced, there were aftermarket companies that made reachers for the 17 (large jibs that were intended for reaching and downwind sailing, but not upwind sailing). The luff of the reacher was not intended to take any of the forestay/mainsheet load and they still used the stock forestay and bridle setup. If you have one of these sails, then you don't need the spreader pole.
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