This is one of the best and most accurate descriptions/ analysis of the M15 vs. M17 I have seen. Nice job Rick...obviously from a chap of experience. Cheers, Tim D Kelowna BC M17 PUFF -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Rmceagrella@aol.com Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2008 10:47 AM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: M_Boats: Info request on seaworthiness I have had both a M15 and M17 as well as a Catalina 22, a Compac 23, a Norse built 18 and now a M23. Rough weather sailing was a thing I used to enjoy a great deal. In my opinion the M15 was a very good performer when challenged by conditions. However, if price or storage space are not limiting factors I would strongly suggest the M17 as it behaves like a much bigger boat. The position of the crew is much less a factor, the boat "takes care of itself" much easier if you find you must leave the tiller for briefly to deal with the unexpected and if you actually want to "go below" the M17 is vastly more user friendly. If you are trying to sleep at anchor the 15 is OK if the conditions are calm but quickly becomes very"corky" and headroom is nonexistant. I am not being disrespectful of the 15, it is a very solid boat. Seaworthy, well designed. perhaps the best 15 foot boat in the world. Certainly capable of the conditions likely to be encountered be you. But again the 17 is more seakindly, a no compromise boat regardless of size. They have been sailed to Hawaii, up and down the east coast, ect. A couple could go out for a week with the space available. In my opinion they represent the choice between the seagoing equivalent of backpack camping with the best equipment or camping in style with the best equipment available. Oh and I don't know about your situation but it was much easier to get my wife aboard the 17 in questionable weather than the 15 :) Good Luck Rick Agrella M23 #017 Raven **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001) _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.20/1453 - Release Date: 5/18/2008 9:31 AM