Pat, you are looking (imho) for the right sailboat to get into the sport. I am on the West Coast so I am not a contender but.....the Monty 15 I have is a good sailing hull. I was never bothered with speed (not like Jerry Montgomery who built mine in 1981) The reason I got this Monty 15 in 2006 was that I read about the seaworthiness of the Montys. The one I have was Sailed in the San Diego in salt. The previous owner sold it to me without telling me about the "expanded and corroded" center board. I had the CB professionally replaced with a new cb then I refinished the Shoal keel (which houses the CB) The Shoal keel gives the boat more ballast, then, when going away from the dock you slowly drop the Center Board and the Monty becomes more stiff in the breeze. I redid the teak trim with Epifanes matte finish. This has been a good finish but I keep the sailboat covered year 'round. I had to buy an engine but I got more power and weight than I need. I would suggest aux power of no more than 2.5 hp. Mine is a 3.5 and is a little heavier than I like to carry at 47 lb with a long shaft. It is 4 stroke of course as the 2 strokers are being fazed out in California. Be aware that Calif only allows fuel to be purchased that contains 10% ethanol. Feel lucky if you find pure gasoline without ethanol. Non ethanol fuel is easier on the gas lines and carburators. (sorry, cant spell that word). Take your time looking. A good used Monty 15 can go for more than 4000 dollars these days (without an engine !) Take a test sail if you can wrangle it from a seller. Spin the trailer wheels, make certain that the cockpit drain works and spills out of the shoal keel slot. I use stainless steel Chore Boys in the the cockpit drain as filters to keep small pea size pebbles and other degris out of the CB slot. It is where the CB lanyard is located. Be certain that the seller is sure that the CB is good and is not made from a rustable material. My new CB came from Jerry Montgomery in 2006 while I was refurbishing the Shoal Keel. I had it installed by Morrison Marine here in Sacramento. Fair winds ---Larry ps avoid running your Monty 15 up on the sandy shore. It looks like "a day on the beach" but it can remove the gelcoat finish of the keel and can lodge small pebbles into the CB. On Thursday, June 12, 2014 12:02 AM, Patricia Weart <pweart@twcny.rr.com> wrote: Hi all! I am a newbie to sailing and this group but an oldie on the water (mostly canoes, kayak). I have been interested in sailing for a long time and went to sailing school last year. Think I need a refresher course :) I am looking for a Montgomery 15, somewhat late model (I want the boat to outlast me). Condition matters most but I don't really want an older boat. I seek a well cared for boat that has only been sailed in fresh water. Safety is very important to me, such as the bearings on the trailer being maintained regularly when the trailer is used. I am petite and don't have much upper body strength. Singlehanded stepping the mast easily and singlehanded sailing the boat is a priority. My budget is modest because I haven't really sailed much, so don't want to invest a lot in a boat because I am a beginner. However, I can finally push aside some of the busyness of life in favor of the water. Does anyone out there have a Montgomery 15 for sale or can give me a lead I can follow to find one? I live in upstate NY near Lake Ontario. I will travel for the right boat. BTW, any opinions on the West Wight Potter 15? Bob Eeg scared me with some info he sent about their turtling because of little ballast. So many people own them and love them. The Potter is one of the few boats that I'm also interested in. However, Montgomery seems to trump Potter. Thoughts? Thanks much. Pat