Yeah the trailer condition is important, when you're about to haul it a day's drive...I did that with mine when I got it, from Maple Valley WA to Ashland, OR, 450 miles, mostly on interstate 5. Check the tires...have a pump with you in case they are low. If the sidewalls are significantly cracked or worse yet rotted you might want to get new tires locally before starting a long haul. I got lucky I think with mine...just pumped them up and went, they were old but didn't look that bad. But a few months after I got it home, the spare spontaneously sprung a sidewall...! Check the lug nuts also. If you are a bit handy, bearings are easy to sanity-check, you can't tell fine points but if they are really wrecked you can tell, and if not really wrecked they will probably make a day's haul. Jack one side at a time off the ground - put blocks/chocks on the opposite side! Spin the wheel and listen - beware, if it sounds dry and rattly! Smooth and greasy is what we want. Grab the tire 180 degrees apart (fore-aft, as well as top-bottom) and see if you can wiggle/rock it on the axle - is there play in the bearings beyond a very slight amount? A little click-click will not be fatal in the short term - unless they are also dry/rattly. A lot of play, and/or dry/rattly sounds, could be risky to do a long haul without getting the bearings re-done. It will cost more if you're stuck on the side of the road, vs. towing it to a local trailer shop proactively. Congratulations! cheers, John On 6/18/22 11:39, WILLIAM CAMPION via montgomery_boats wrote:
Erik,
I too do not now anything specific about this particular boat but I thought I could offer up some free advice. Is the trailer road worthy? 7 hours is a long time to trailer something that has been sitting outside for 6 years. You might want to be prepared and take a set of wheel bearing with you along with a can of bearing grease. You may also want to be prepared to temporarily rewire the lights. Harbor Freight sells a cheap set of temporary trailering lights which are magnetic. Just remember, this advice is worth every bit of what you paid for it! š
Skip M-15 #201
On Jun 18, 2022, at 2:17 PM, E Blohm via montgomery_boats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> wrote:
ļ»æAfter looking for a reasonable distance M17 (7 hours) I finally found one and plan to drive out to check it out/buy this coming Tuesday
The 1977 M17 hull number 248# is being sold by the family of the elderly sailor. They know nothing about the boat other than itās been sitting in his yard for 6 years since he last sailed it on Lake Michigan They are asking $4000 and I counter offered $3600 foolishly!!!
Anyway they sent a bunch of internal and external pictures the hull looks solid the interior-floor-walls looks dry.
I expect to replace standing-running rigging over this coming winter. If deck is solid and keel looks ānormalā Iāll probably drag it home.
Anyone know anything about this boat? Or any recommendations about this deal?
Thanks Erik in Ohio
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