GO: glad you stated the toe-rails! SWEET PEA has the alum. type, which i _love_ due to function ... by my woodworking side thinks the teak rails look much better. the ying & yang of life :-) another 'difference' is the galley models are more common in the older boats. i _love_ my galley as i prefer to cruise v. day-sail. bob doesn't make a galley model. dave scobie M17 #375 - SWEET PEA visit SWEET PEA's www-site - http://www.m17-375.webs.com --- On Wed, 4/7/10, GILASAILR@aol.com <GILASAILR@aol.com> wrote: Tim, If you like the early model transom/boat - run with what you like. I decided years ago after having experience with all but the current builder models that I wanted an early boat for some of the same reasons people decide against the early boat. My motor is a 25" long shaft - I have mounted it on the cut-out and it currently resides on a fixed mount - I have no problems 'dragging' the motor. (fixed mount is because my motor does not have reverse gear and I need to rotate it - a point to consider). A dry sailed 17 that is reasonably cared for, will serve a long time without ballast or board issues (mine is 1980 build) no board/ballast issues have surfaced to date on my boat. I happen to appreciate and desire the early cockpit, and for cabin space differences - if any - I have no issues as my expectations are tempered. This is a SMALL boat and I don't sit below - naps are big on my list. Early boat also has aluminum toe rail, alum. framed windows (I changed the glazing out to tempered/tinted auto glass- gasket material is available). Ask a late model owner if they wish they had alum. toe rail instead of teak to maintain. The transom/deck joint MAY be an issue but the late boats do not have a 'rub-rail' other than the fiberglass deck flange. The transom joint is not hard to repair when and if necessary. As to cockpit lockers - my opinion is 'if you got'em you fill 'em' - My early model has more than enough room for needed equipment. Traveling light is a good thing in a small boat. Both models are in the end M-17's. I happen to like and specifically sought out the early model.They will both sail well and should have similar values if they are well cared for examples. There is not a lot of difference such as disk brakes/ABS/air bags like you would find in automobiles of differing ages. Enough for my rant in defense of the 'Old Boat' - my opinion only - BTW ever hear a Renault owner say the car was a POS? Not likely. We all believe in what we have at the moment - makes us happy. My 2 cents and worth both of 'em. GO. LB/GF! M-17 # 316a 'that ain't bad gelcoat -it's "patina"! Team Geezer Racing.....Old and in the Way Team Geezer Cruising.....going NIP ...but FAST!