Having an M17 and having been on two different M15s, I will say the M17 is quite a bit roomier. The cockpit, the cabin, the foredeck...amazing how much more volume two feet of length and more beam provides. And, 'roomier' is relative - it's still a 'pocket' cruiser. I would say a first step would be to visit an M17 somewhere in person and feel the difference - your wife as well as you. The main concern with older M17s in particular is swelling in the keel, locking the CB from moving down and up. From the steel punchings used as ballast in early years. They can rust enough to swell enough to do that, if water has gotten into the keel. I don't recall when it switched to lead, someone here probably does. Other than that, just the usual stuff on an older boat, not specific to an M17. Rigging, hardware, wear and tear, etc. cheers, John On 8/10/19 9:10 AM, Peter Zimowsky via montgomery_boats wrote:
Hi: we sailed the San Juans last week. My wife wanted to try camping on the boat (M15). Didn’t work out. She doesn’t like how small it is. I love the M15 and it works out for solo boaters. Should I go to a M17 or is it just as cramped? Problem is, my M15 is in excellent shape and trading up to a M17 could be bad because I’ve read so many stories on this thread about older boats and all the problems. I don’t want to give up a good boat for one with problems. What do you have to watch out for when looking at another boat?
Pete Winter Sky (Zimowsky)
outdoors writer and photographer www.getoutdoorsnorthwest.com <http://www.getoutdoorsnorthwest.com/> Twitter: @zimosoutdoors
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