As for seaworthiness, the M15 has sailed from California to Hawaii, the M17 hasn't. The Nor'Sea website language is confusing, stating "Montgomery 17's have cruised the Caribbean, sailed from California to Hawaii and from Cape Hatteras to San Diego via the Panama Canal, and sailed the length of the Mississippi." If the lengthy discussion, several months back, on this list was correct, there is no documented M17 cruise from California to Hawaii . . . ----- Original Message ----- From: "Honshells" <chonshell@ia4u.net> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2004 4:47 PM Subject: how about 15 vs. 17 And I think you'd have to add cost, Steve . . . Every extra foot of boat is exponentially more expensive . . . However, the M17 was the right boat for me, because I like to sail with friends and family . . . I have amusing photos of a daysail with myself, my father, my brother, and three nephews aged 13 to 16 on board: That's 6 full-sized people (although I'm only 5' tall :-) ) . . . I don't think I could've done that with an M15 . . . However, I just lost my tow vehicle, 6-cyl., 4.0-liter truck, to a deer, and may not be able to replace it for awhile, which means my M17 may have to sit-out the '04 season . . . If I had the M15, I'd be able to tow it with the car I'm driving, a 6-cyl. Olds '88 . . . Trade-offs . . . --Craig ----- Original Message ----- From: <IDCLLC@aol.com> To: <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2004 9:12 AM Subject: how about 15 vs. 17 Bigger is better for what? Towing? launching? Cleaning? Painting? Buying parts for? Shoal sailing? It's a tough call; everything is indeed a tradeoff. Perhaps most ephemeral is the joy of sailing itself. Other things being equal, a smaller boat provides a more intimate, immediate (groping for words here) experience than a larger one-the sailor is a larger part of the process. I think that's why small, high quality boats such as the Melonseed are so popular. Certainly, the M-17 would be larger, more comfortable, and more seaworthy (I'm being an audacious outsider here. I haven't sailed the M-17, and have sailed an M-15 only once, so this is $0.02 worth of armchair opinion). Happily, the M-15 and M-17 ARE equal in a vast number of ways, making comparisons easier. Now that I've muddied the water terribly, I think I'll make a hasty exit.... Good Luck! Steve Tyree P-15 #2098 "Amy Ann" In a message dated 1/28/2004 7:59:09 AM Central Standard Time, gilbert@mindgame.com writes: I was very excited about the response, I think I would rather have something from a mfg that is still in buisness, due to parts, support etc. NOOWW aside from the price difference, and of course the size. I would think bigger is better. I probably will get runned off the list for this question