Hi Harry and Nancy, I can only tell you my experience with the Honda 2HP long shaft on an M-15 has been very positive. Great motors, starts every time and plenty of power for the Chesapeake Bay. Although if you want to make head way in the kinda of stuff the Edmund Fitzgerald was in, I don't know. My guess would be that towing a kayak would be little drag. We have pulled along some sit on kayaks and they were not noticable. My son just finished his sailing/racing season out of Portage Lake on the other side of Superior. I know they gave already had some snow. Very pretty area. Tuff going on Superior in January though. Maybe take her for a spin in CA! Have fun, Robbin Harry & Nancy wrote:
Hi folks, I'm buying a new Montgomery 15 and would appreciate any information you could give me on several issues. My sailing will be on wild and wooly Lake Superior (water 40 degrees F and big storms). Auxiliary motor: I'd like the quietest one; was thinking of a Mercury 3.5hp vs a Honda 2hp?; short or long shaft? Cabin heater: any experience with an Origo alcohol heater? Tender: I am a kayaker and hope to tow my kayak behind the Mont.15. Would this create too much drag? Trailer tires: the best tires for long distance trailing in winter (Jan /07 from S.Cal. to our home in Thunder Bay on Lake Superior. Overall length and width of Mont.15 on a Pacific trailer? (I'm hoping to squeeze it in between my shed and garage) I am really excited about getting one. Everything I have read and heard sounds like it is a great little boat. Josh at Small Craft Advisor was very helpful. I've made the first of three payments to Bob Eeg. I don't know if construction has started yet(no news is good news?), but my wife and I will pick it up in California at the end of Jan. 2007. I'll keep you posted as to its progress. Any advice /information you could give me would be greatly appreciated Thanks Harry Elmslie P.S I hope this acquisition will bestow some respect on me among the Thunder Bay sailing fraternity. Local kayakers are labled "sea lice" by the sailing crowd. _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats