Thank you to those of you who responded! - Thomas, I don't think that an M-15 would probably meet my criteria for doing overnights/weekend trips with a family of 3. I've been told that you can't sit up straight when inside the cabin, which would be a deal breaker for my wife. Thanks though. - Bob, thank you. We'll probably end up experimenting with the boom tent idea. - Burt, this is excellent information! Thanks so much to you and to your wife! Thanks again everyone! Have a wonderful weekend! -Darrin On Thu, Aug 23, 2018 at 6:04 PM Burton Lowry <burtonlowry7@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Darrin,
After owning a pile of boats, I would suggest embracing the reality that every boat is a compromise. That is, there is no boat that is going to do it all and keep you totally happy all the time. My wife says I should tell you that you will never be happy with a boat and will always want to buy a different one. 😇
So, the goal is to find the one that has the compromises that fit your needs the closest. I would suggest finding some Monty owners--most are very eager to help. Go sailing with them, helping them set up their boats, etc., and you will soon have a good idea. There are a lot of boats in that size that are a total pain to set up--The more go fast goodies, the longer the set up time. You don't need backstay adjusters and such if you're just trying to enjoy sailing. So my advice is to steer away from boats that are cheap but are a pain to set up, avoid rusting iron swing keels, be sure to get a kick up rudder, spend a little more and get a boat that someone has doted upon instead of buying a beater that will cost you a fortune to fix up. Put guides on the trailer if it does not have them, or in a good crosswind you will wish you had them.
Burt
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On Aug 23, 2018, at 7:13 PM, Bob Eeg <montgomeryboats@hotmail.com> wrote:
Darrin 4 people you want
1. A four berth M 17. 2. One built after 1989. Lead ballast. Check anyboat with a magnet. 3. It’s not hard to install a boom tent for overnights in the cockpit.
Let me know if you want photos.
Bob Montgomery Boats 949 489-8227
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On Aug 23, 2018, at 3:49 PM, Darrin Goodman <darrin.goodman@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi,
My name is Darrin and I'm new to this list. I live in northern CO and I have developed the bug to go sailing - although I am a newbie here, I am no stranger to water; I'm an avid and long-time whitewater canoeist and whitewater rafter. I'm also used to doing long self-supported trips.
Recently someone pointed out to me that as a landlocked individual, I would have more frequent and varied sailing opportunities if I purchase a smaller trailerable boat as opposed to a larger boat, and I can see the wisdom in that. A larger (25-28') boat will likely take longer and be more involved to set up, will be more difficult to store, will likely stay for the whole season at one single body of water, will potentially be more difficult to single hand (at least for a newbie like me), and will be more expensive to own/store/maintain.
I'm 6'1" tall and weigh about 220 lbs. I'd like to have the ability to do the following: - be mobile so that I can sail in various CO lakes and not be limited to just one body of water - single-hand the boat during times when I am alone - have enough room on and in the boat for weekend overnight trips with my wife and daughter - having the ability to beach the boat or get close to shore would be a plus
I'm considering an M-17. I like it's lines and its simplicity; it's trailerable and I believe that it would be reasonably easy to set-up/take-down by myself. We don't need to bring a lot of stuff other than food, cold beer and a change of clothes. I am hopeful that sometimes perhaps I could sleep in the cockpit under a tarp, which would free up space in the cabin for my girls.
Here's what I'd like to know.... given what I have listed here, do you feel like the M-17 would be a good fit for my family and I? Will my wife and I be able to fit in the v-berth for sleeping and will my small daughter fit on the quarter birth? If not, is there another boat that you would recommend based on the criteria that I have listed here?
Thanks so much in advance!
-Darrin