I like your philosophy, Tom. --Craig ----- Original Message ----- From: "Smith, Tom" <Tom.Smith@itron.com> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Monday, May 03, 2004 5:55 PM Subject: M-17 aux. motor--rant Respectfully, I can't imagine using a 5hp motor on an M15. That much weight hanging off the transom has to be murder on boat trim. The 2hp Honda works on our M17 because I use the motor infrequently and selectively. It gets in and out of the slip when the wind is seriously working against me, and it's driven me home a couple times when the breeze drops completely. You have less horsepower to call on, so you plan more carefully. All the time-tested arguments about auxiliary power aside, the more situations you can sail in and out of, the better equipped you'll be when the motor goes south on you when you need it most. Truth be told, a little advanced planning will neutralize at least 50% of those situations where a bunch of mechanical muscle is needed. There. I feel better now. t Tom Smith and Jane Van Winkle M15--345 Chukar M17--064 Unnamed