Jerry, Will you elaborate about the crank up keel as "designed by Lyle Hess". It now seems that the M17 was offered with 4 keel configurations. Fixed cast iron bolt on Fixed fiberglass with ballast Keel centerboard Crank up cast iron. I'm so confused? The more I read about these great boats the more I find I need to learn. Being able to easily launch and retrieve my boat has allowed me to experience sailing in many different environments. I have sailed all over N. California in the last 6 years, from delta to ocean to sf Bay and found my boat able to handle everything I have encountered. I've always made it home safe. That was the driving design consideration when the boat was concieved, and it has succeeded admirably. Jon Barber Monty17 Ol'44