Hello, I can't resist and throw in my opinion, despite the fact that I am much less experienced than most people here (been sailing only for 4 years, and owned a boat for only 3...) The previous boat to my current M-17 was a Compac 16. The only thing I didn't like in that boat was its inability to sail upwind; and that's why I upgraded to the M-17. It was a good move altogether, however if someone made a boat that was a C-16-size Monty I would buy it in a heartbeat. You could say "why not an M-15?" but the problem is that I like to daysail with my wife and two kids, and the cockpit size in the M-15 is not enough. The C-16 had a very skimpy cabin but an enormous cockpit. So if Jerry designed a proper sailing boat that had a functional cabin for two and a cockpit comfortable for four, that would be perfect for me. Here are some things I miss about the C-16: -- ability to tow with a 4 cylinder car: the M-15 is 750lbs, C-16 1100, M-17 1800. The M-17 is almost too much for even my 4 wheel drive Subaru; the C-16 was never a problem. Also, launching and retrieving a 1100lbs boat is so much easier than an 1800lbs one... --- being able to carry the mast by myself, without a backstay: on the C-16 I could very easily step the mast, without any fear of injuring myself; on the M-17 I need to use a four-part. Any bigger than the M-17 and it definitely would not be a boat to singlehandedly launch. I think as long as the rigging can be kept simple, and it shortens the launch and retrieve time, it's best. Also, the C-16 had a very simple and elegant mast base, which did not require any bolts to be removed/ installed: you'd just walk the mast into the slot, step it, and attach the forestay. -- overall space: on a daysail I had on the C-16 4 adults, 5 kids, and a large dog; and it was not overcrowded (two women on the foredeck, three kids in the cabin, two men, two kids, and a dog in the cockpit). -- all-glass decks: the balsa cored decks rot, and I have read many people crying over having to repair them. With the C-16 I never worried about this. -- no centerboard: on one of my early cruises the line from the centerboard winch slipped and the board hit the stop hard; when I got the boat out, the keel was cracked; this is a serious safety issue. No rusting of steel punchings either. I know this contradicts the requirement to sail well, but hopefully there is some middle solution. Can a properly sailing C-16 be designed? I am sure, since it would just need to be an M-15 with a longer cockpit. Just my opinion... As for the lapstrake/smooth debate -- I think it adds to the branding of the name, which is quite important in attarcting the niche customers. I don't think a Monty will ever be a McGregor, but I don't think I want it to be... Andrei.