We delivered the race boat for its winter treatment the other day. A Laser 28, having the hull faired and recoated. We drove 200 miles to the boat shop that we had arranged with, a nice days drive hauling 2 tons. We dropped it off with the boat guy, and as we prepared to hop in the truck and go back to Lawrence, I saw a familiar shape under a tarp. I asked Nate, the hand at the yard, is that a Montgomery/ He said I think so, so I sidled over to it to look under the tarp. As I drew closer, I could tell that it was an older model, with the cutout transom. Looked to be in good condition, no name on the stern. I lifted the tarp on the port side to see if there was a name there, but by this time I had a close enough look to know that my suspicion was right. The traveler detail confirmed it, the aluminum rail was another piece of the puzzle, but as I moved forward and looked down at the trailer, my last name painted on the trailer really told me that this was Ausasea, ex-Osprey, my first M-17. Howard has taken great care of her, and it really made me feel good to see my former charge being looked after so well. She is in for a new bottom job, similar to what I have arranged for Osprey II for this spring. I always enjoy seeing M boats, and this one was more special than most. Thomas Howe Mailto:Thomas@TEHowe.com O --------(\ ---------- ~ (\ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ (\ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~