I think the M15 is faster to rig, especially solo. It usually takes me about 30 mins from arriving at the ramp to sailing away from the dock. I also like the large bed for two tall adults... I have done week long cruises with 2 adults in good weather with my M15 and found it very comfortable, but I never could do the same in my Catalina 22- because the bunks we all too small for me (6'2) to sleep well. However, I have never cruised or tried to sleep in an M17. Sincerely, Tyler ----- Original Message ----- From: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Saturday, November 10, 2018 4:15:23 PM Subject: Re: M_Boats: 15M vs 17M Great info. Really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. My M15 keeps looking better and better. Pete Sent from my iPhone
On Nov 10, 2018, at 13:07, John Schinnerer <john@eco-living.net> wrote:
I find my M17 easy enough to handle solo, in most ways that come readily to mind.
It got even easier this past season (what little time I got in) with the addition of a reefing furler for the jib, and main halyard led to cockpit.
In terms of sailing solo, it's just a big heavy sloop-rig dinghy really (that's a compliment Jerry :-) And pretty nimble for its size & weight I'd say.
I don't use it for day-sailing off the trailer on a regular basis, it's more overhead to rig up and down than I usually want to spend on that. But I could - it's not particularly complicated, just takes some time & attention. The furler adds a bit to that, but then pays off big time on the water in variable wind conditions.
I've only seen an M15 rig up & down a time or two, but it seems to take almost as long.
I could imagine cruising solo on an M15 for a while. Not for long at all with two people.
If I already had an M15, and the balance of use you describe, I'd probably stick with the M15. But if you were going to do significantly more cruising...especially not solo - it might be worth switching.
Some folks here cruise with two on an M15 repeatedly, so they can speak to how that works for them.
I'm 6' 3" tall so that is a factor. The M15 v-berth is actually a few inches longer than the M17. But there's no space for anything but lying down inside the cabin (for me anyhow). And I find the M15 cockpit a bit knees-to-chin also. I appreciate the (relative) spaciousness of both the cockpit and cabin on my M17.
And, you can tow the M15 with most anything. You need at least one step up from "most anything" in HP and brakes to tow an M17.
Hope that helps...if you have more specific questions feel free to ask.
cheers, John
On 11/10/2018 11:25 AM, Peter Zimowsky via montgomery_boats wrote: Hi: I’ve been debating getting a bigger boat but I love my M15 for ease of stepping the mast, launching and sailing solo. The only thing I would like is a larger living space for cruising the San Juan Islands. So we’re talking about sailing solo in the M15 about 30 days at my home reservoir and then 7 days in the San Juans. Is it worth going to a larger boat for those seven days? And, is an M17 easy to handle solo? Thanks for the input. There’s always a debate among sailors about going to a larger boat. Good winds, Pete Winter Sky (Zimowsky) outdoors writer and photographer www.getoutdoorsnorthwest.com <http://www.getoutdoorsnorthwest.com/> Twitter: @zimosoutdoors "Be with Tahlequah" Talhequah, you did this. From the day you lost your baby in the summer of 2018, then your 17-day tour of grief, you've brought the KEY crucial issues to the world to help us save your Orca family.
-- John Schinnerer - M.A., Whole Systems Design -------------------------------------------- - Eco-Living - Whole Systems Design Services People - Place - Learning - Integration john@eco-living.net - 510.982.1334 http://eco-living.net http://sociocracyconsulting.com