four adults in an M15 will make her squat at the stern and sail like a dog. best sailing in a 15 is one or two people. she will sail VERY well with two as you have a good amount of movable ballast. you can sail three, but need to keep the weight forward in the cockpit, or have one person 'sit' in the cabin. a cover of some sort is best for winter storage. my M15 had a nice custom canvas full-boat cover (pictures at http://www.msogphotosite.com/boatcovers.html ). washington isn't midwest sub-zero cold (i lived for three years in MN, and through the 'famous '96-'97 winter') ... but in WA we know how to RAIN. make sure the boat is set to drain water out the cockpit/centerboard line hole (slight bow down). make sure she is clean or the mold will grow (inside and out). make sure the cabintop hardware isn't leaking as the balsa core will ROT. as already stated remove all things that can freeze and food items. my practice was to remove the cabin cushions and porta-potti. make sure no water is in the small bilge ... this could freeze and case damage. my old M15's www-site - http://www.freewebs.com/m15-named-scred dave scobie M17 #375 - SWEET PEA visit SWEET PEA's www-site - http://www.m17-375.webs.com --- On Thu, 7/15/10, marthaekwurtzel@aol.com <marthaekwurtzel@aol.com> wrote: Good Morning! I too have been researching your fine Montgomery 15 boats and have enjoyed reading the questions and responses in the Thread titled "Considering an M 15" very much. So informative! Many of my same considerations have been met with these exchanges. A resident of the upper Midwest, and a sailor of Wisconsin's inland lakes, I have no doubt about the quality of the M-15. You can feel that just from seeing her. Still, my particulars may not be well suited for this honorable boat, as much as I want them to be! I have a few unanswered questions which perhaps this knowledgeable and sharing group will consider; 1. I've read about M-15 sailors with supplies and provisions mounting up in weight for longer treks and the boat handling fine; what of four adult passengers totally 600 lbs with a bare minimum of supplies on a day sale? Dose this weight make her sluggish? 2. How detrimental to a fine craft such as the M-15 is winter storing outside, well covered by appropriate tarps? This is Wisconsin I am talking about. What are the necessary precautions of outdoor storage in freezing conditions? Thank you for your patient attention. Best Regards, Martha