Welcome Matt.. A good clean used M_17 will do the job on Flathead Lake for you. Montgomery sailboats are fantastic sailboats. They go upwind well. They are built strong and with quality components. They are properly ballasted and self righting. They were properly designed by professional people who knew what was required. They hold their value. Potters...?.... Lousy sailing characteristics; won't tack in strong winds. etc. Won't go upwind very well. Built lite with plastic and pop-rivets Not Ocean Worthy at all. Not really self righting or not enough proper ballast to do the job right. Design?....Its a rowboat with a cabin. Can be had cheap on the used market. (for a reason) And I'am sugar coating it. (smile) Fair winds and welcome to the group. Bob -----Original Message-----

From: Matthew Lyon <mattlyon@mission.blackfoot.net> Sent: Oct 13, 2007 10:49 AM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: Introduction

Hello all... just a quick note to introduce myself. I live in western Montana and am a sea kayaker who's been bitten by the sailing bug. I don't own a sailboat yet, but have been doing a ton of research and have come to the conclusion that a M17 would be the perfect boat for us (my wife and I, with the occasional daysailing guest. We live near Flathead Lake, a pretty big "mini ocean" (it's the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi....) and would love to eventually trailer west and explore Puget Sound and points north. As kayakers we really like to get into the shallow out of the way places the big boats can't get to, so the M17's shoal draft definitely appeals to me.

When I first started looking into boats, I was attracted to the WWPotter 19, especially the beachability, and positive flotation, but I'm getting the feeling that the Montgomery is a lot more boat... tougher and more seaworthy. (not a small consideration on Flathead and some of the other cruising areas that interest us.) I'd be interested in hearing people's comments and opinions about how the two boats compare, both in build and sailing manners. Coming from the quiet world of kayaking, the idea of a boat that sails well is important. I'd love to be able to never have to start the motor all season...

Anyone out there moving up to a bigger boat who's got a M17 that they're ready to part with? I'm not adverse to putting in some "sweat equity" on the right boat, so old is fine. (ok better even... I've got a kid in college and a less expensive boat I can work on as money permits would be great!) At any rate, I look forward to listening in, learning and finding out more about the M-boats and sailing in general.

regards, Matthew Lyon

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