Hi Connie, Where in Vermont are you? Would you mind showing off your beautiful M15 to a fellow Vermonter who is very interested in the M boats? I know the sailing season is over, but even a look on the trailer would be terrific! I've never seen a Montgomery except on the WWW, and it would help me with my boat buying decision.... (Right now, its a tie between a M15, Melonseed, and a Sea Pearl --- how is that for variety?) Wes -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-admin@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-admin@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Conbert H Benneck Sent: Wednesday, October 30, 2002 9:24 PM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: M_Boats: Re: montgomery_boats digest, Vol 1 #413 - 11 msgs Bones, The only reason I say bigger is not better, is because I've been there and done that. However, all this is a function of many variables: size of family; what you want to really use the boat for - day sailing; overnighting ; longer periods of cruising; what you are willing to live with for trailerability. This determines whether or not you need an M15 or an M17 Our 29 footer was an ideal boat for four; and we spent many happy summers sailing her, but traileralble - no way. Now I am at the other end of the size scale. A Jetta wagon for a tow vehicle, and an M15 as the playtime sailboat. No marina charges; no launch or hauling charges; no mast storage charges. The M15 lives next to the garage. I can work on it easily. If I need a drill or a screwdriver, it is a short trip down into the cellar to get what I need. Parts are small and light - a one person operation. The cockpit is long enough for the Admirable to stretch out and enjoy a snooze while I'm on a beam reach across Lake Champlain, dreaming of foreign lands that appear over the horizon (Vermont!). In short, I've optimized my sailing experiences: same fun; same adventures; at almost 0 cost. The M15 allows me to go to cruising grounds where I would have had to spend a week's vacation just getting there. Now it is a few hours up or down the Interstate cruising, hard on the wind at 65 to 70 MPH! Vacation time is spent sailing, not in getting to the new cruising grounds! The pleasure is the same: only the costs for the pleasure have gone from $3K per season ('92 prices) to almost $0. I also no longer have to maintain an engine and it's cooling system; a toilet and holding tank system; the fresh water system, galley stove and the refrigerator system; dinghies; and all the ancillary equipment that goes with a bigger boat. Nor is it like moving a three room apartment, when you have to empty the boat at the end of the sailing season. The M15 is small, light weight; low on equipment requirements for it's operation, and my 2 HP Honda is a great little auxillary power unit. It is an ideal compromise and a great return on investment, for the pleasure it provides. If you need new equipment or new "toys" for the boat, again, we are talking in small sums. A friend of mine bases the cost of his toys on the price of martinis. If his latest toy cost $10; it was a two Martini toy. The M15 is similar. I have yet to exceed the 6 Martini limit on new gadgets, gilhickies, or dodads, needed to decorate and further enhance an M15, but my bent mast will alter that equation. But even there, the cost of a new mast will not break the bank. M sailing is pure unadultrated fun.......... Connie _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats