Giles, You are more than welcome to come to Sandusky (OH) to sail aboard Busca! :o) (not for sale) Between the two boats, I do like the sitting headroom in the 17, but then I don't have to rig the boat every time I sail. If I did, I would opt for the 15. An easily installed boom tent for over the companionway so you can leave it open in rainy weather helps I'm sure...does on my 17. Tod Mills M17 #408 BuscaBrisas -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+htmills=bright.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+htmills=bright.net@mailman.xmission.com ] On Behalf Of Morris, Giles Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 2:23 PM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: M_Boats: Thoughts on down-sizing For a few years I owned both an M-15 and a Vancouver 25 (imagine a pacific Seacraft Dana 24 but quirckily hand-built in Taiwan). Then, three years ago, I sold the M-15 after it had remained too-little used for too long. Now I'm wondering if that was such a smart idea. I really like my V-25, but I seem to spend far too much time solving problems. Engine problems, rig problems, replacing chain plates, finding a new propeller and shaft, new ports..... And so it goes. You're probably thing "Of _course_ there are always problems -- it's a boat", but the M-15 had few problems like this. A new centerboard and rebuilding the trailer was as far as it went. The M-15 felt rather small, though. At the boat show last year I spent rather a long time aboard the Com-Pac 23 thinking "I could live with this" but it's still pretty large. The only time I've been aboard an M-17 was at the show, and now I'm wondering about how that would work. What's the point of this message? Well... I'm asking for your thoughts. Did you downsize? Was it a good idea? What do you miss? And how about the M-17 itself -- My V-25 is pretty comfortable, but perhaps all that I really missed with the M-15 was having somewhere inside with sitting headroom. Rather a large favor, but if anybody has an M-17 that I could visit, and perhaps sail aboard I would be very grateful, and very pleased to let you try my V-25 if that was of interest (I live in McLean VA and Dolphin lives in Deale MD). Nothing is for sale or actively sought to buy, but I must admit that I'm wondering.... Giles Morris Still missing M-15 Umiaq Enjoying Vanvouver 25 Dolphin _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats