I am looking to buy a used boat with the requirements of being easy to solo sail, shallow draft, and flexible usage as either a daysailor or overnighter. I keep coming back to the M-15 as the perfect fit on paper but have never seen one, nor can I find any independent evaluations on the internet. Most people I talk with have not even heard of Montgomery sailboats, which may be related to the fact that I live in NJ and the company is on the West Coast. Can anyone give me some assurance that the boat is as good as it sounds and also anything negative about it so that I can make a reasonably intelligent choice this time and have a boat that I can stay with for a long time? My first boat was a Bristol 24 which was a wonderful boat but sat in the marina for lack of crew most of the time, plus the marina fees were killers. Thanks. Cherri Pavuk mcpavuk@worldnet.att.net
Hi Cherri, I bought my Montgomery 15 new in 1981. She is probably one of the best built and delightful coastal cruisers available. If you ever get to the Tidewater area (Hampton, VA) you are welcome to give her a sail and see for yourself. She loads, trailers, and launches very easily. I don't think you will find any Montgomery owner that will not agree. Stan Winarski M-15 #177, Carol II
Hi Cherri, I purchased my M15 about a year ago and it is everything I expected. It is very well built and sails a lot better than I can. I have not yet overnighted but there is no question in my mind that there would be no problem. At least not for me. For two to overnight it appears to be a little snug but many on this list have done it and reported favorable results. The only thing I don't like about the boat is that I cannot sit up straight in the cabin. I am 5 ft 10 in.tall. I keep my Montgomery in my carport and it is quite easy to trailer although with a shoal keel I do need to use the tongue extender to launch it here at the local lake in Phoenix. If overnighting is something you think you will be doing quite a bit you might want to look at the Peep Hen. It is built closer to your neck of the woods (Nimble Boats in Florida) and is only a 14 but has a lot more below deck space than anything else close to its size. It is also cat rigged so you only have the one sail to worry about. But, I have heard it doesn't sail as well as the Montgomery and only a mother could brag on its looks. (Just my opinion on the looks). I assume you have gone to the Nor'Sea site on the internet and looked at the pictures and specs that Bob Eeg has posted. The boat looks as good if not better "in person" than it does on the internet site. It is a quality boat and I would purchase another if anything happened to the one I have. Holler if you need more info Don Olson M 15 Phoenix
Just for fun check out one other small boat called the Sea Peal 21 at http://www.marine-concepts.com/ It is one of a few boat besides the M-15/17 that is very quick to launch, rig and fun to sail. The convertible cabin allows it to compete with the nifty little M boats for weekending. It weighs about the same as the M-15. Smitty Windsurfers Do It Standing Up ! US-842 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Pavuk" <mcpavuk@worldnet.att.net> To: <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Friday, February 15, 2002 1:41 PM Subject: M_Boats: M-15 I am looking to buy a used boat with the requirements of being easy to solo sail, shallow draft, and flexible usage as either a daysailor or overnighter. I keep coming back to the M-15 as the perfect fit on paper but have never seen one, nor can I find any independent evaluations on the internet. Most people I talk with have not even heard of Montgomery sailboats, which may be related to the fact that I live in NJ and the company is on the West Coast. Can anyone give me some assurance that the boat is as good as it sounds and also anything negative about it so that I can make a reasonably intelligent choice this time and have a boat that I can stay with for a long time? My first boat was a Bristol 24 which was a wonderful boat but sat in the marina for lack of crew most of the time, plus the marina fees were killers. Thanks. Cherri Pavuk mcpavuk@worldnet.att.net _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
participants (4)
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Don Olson -
Mark Pavuk -
Smitty -
Stanley T. Winarski