Dear Harvey, Cal, Bob, Jerry, Larry, Richard, and listers, Being a proud, happy M17 sailer for 5 seasons I too had become infected with "two foot itus". I looked at dozens of sailboats to gain knowledge about what is available in the real world, what is desirable to me, and what is the end cost. The list of many was narrowed to the list of a few. Visiting the Strictly Sail Show in Chicago with Theo last winter confirmed that most all new production boats had nothing to offer that I was looking for. My list was narrowed to the Flicka, a Cape Dory 25D or 26, or finding a rare M23. Well, I had sailed Theo's M23 on several occasions, and loved many aspects of her. I finally got aboard a Flicka, and although a beautiful small boat with seagoing features, it was too small for my 6'3" lanky body. The cockpit is small and missing the high backrest coamings of the 17 and 23. I have not sailed a Flicka, but at 6000 lbs she must be sluggish in light air. We all like sailing a boat that has some performance. The CD25D is also a beautiful boat. I almost went for this one. Lovely lines, classic Alberg styling, bronze, Lots of room below, but a small diesel with difficult access. I understand this is a rather "stiff" sailer, I have sailed a close cousin, a Bristol 27 on San Francisco Bay. Lo and behold, I had a chance to purchase Sadhana, Larry Barkhuff's M23, formerly Richard Lane's. Upon viewing her, I knew she was the one for me. I think one of the most important buying decisions in choosing a sailboat is where and under what conditions the boat is going to be used. I'm in Minnesoooota, there there are numerous large, beautiful and remote lakes to be expored. I wanted a boat my wife and I could comfortably weekend aboard. I wanted a keel-centerboarder for shallow bays. A heavy displacement full keel boat has it's place on Superior, or the coastlines. The majority of my sailing will be done on inland waters. I don't plan to trailer the M23 like an M17, but the ability to move it once a season without a travel-lift and flatbead semi is a huge plus. Anyway, I believe there is a boat out there for every purpose, and every taste. I'll be sticking with the lovely Lyle Hess Montgomerys. Later, Michael "Bones" Bowden M23 #75 M17 #92 ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/.