i'm writing this to assure it is part of the discussions about motor size for the M15, M17, M23, Sage 15 and Sage 17. these are all displacement hulls that have a hull speed (about 5.2kts for M15 and S15, 5.5kts for M17/S17, and 6.5 for the M23). the Montomery and Sage hull shapes are not planing type. you may get a little past hull speed but not get the boat on a plane with more horsepower (you will make a bigger wake as the boat tries to climb the bow wave). so, a larger horsepower motor will not allow you to overcome a current greater than hull speed. yes, with more horsepower you can overcome wind and get a little help overcoming waves ... but not against current as this is constrained by the boat's hull speed (unless you can get the boat on a plane). -- :: Dave Scobie :: former M15 owner - www.freewebs.com/m15-named-scred :: M17 #375 SWEET PEA - www.m17-375.webs.com