Hi Wayne My advice is buy a M23 (first choice new second choice used) if you can't afford one buy a M17(first choice new second choice used) if you can't afford one buy a M15 (you get my drift here). You can't go wrong, good luck keep us posted of your progress Wayne Yeargain M17 #204 "Intrepid" ----- Original Message ----- From: "Wayne Preisman" <belboz_va@yahoo.com> To: <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2004 1:07 PM Subject: M_Boats: new to the list in Florida -- and questions!
Hi folks -- I apologize for "dropping in" unannounced, and for being so long-winded upon first introductions! My wife and I are starting a search for a small cruising boat to be used primarily along the Indian River (part of the Intracoastal Waterway), and the Montgomery 15 and 17 appear to be really -very- nice boats for such a purpose.
We are new residents in the Orlando area, and all of our sailing experience has been on keel boats in the 24ft+ range (mostly J's), and even that experience is now 5 years or more in the past.
Our new -- so far only a fantasy -- boat would be for our use only, with the very occasional addition of a couple of small children (my wife calls them "grandchildren", but I prefer the term "nieces and nephews", and consider us far too young to have grandchildren anyway). Or possibly one other couple on rare occasions for short periods. We have no intention of camping on the boat, whatever it turns out to be, and so long as there is on-board space for a picnic lunch and the usual equipment we ought to be ok.
I have read the M15 vs. M17 debate on your web site, and I think the only further preference -- not a hard requirement -- of mine which bears on the issue is our goal to leave the boat in the water most of the time -- if that is practical for such a small vessel.
I see as well that there are quite a few M15 and M17 owners listed in Florida, with the nearest to us in Vero Beach, Silver Springs, and the Tampa-St. Petersburg area. While the pictures available on your and the manufacturer's web sites are very helpful, I would love to have a closer look at these boats, even if only driving by a marina or a parking lot! (I assume the boats' designs and overall appearance have changed very little over the years?)
In any case .. the M15 and M17 appear to be "a step above" much of their price and size competition in terms of features, construction .. and looks! (We are suckers for the lapped hull, frankly.)
Any suggestions of a next step -- mail to some of the "local" owners, perhaps? -- or opinions about which boat sounds most appropriate would be most welcome.
Thanks in advance!
Wayne
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