Becky: don't write off a steel M17.  my M17 was 'wet stored' on Puget Sound for close to 20 years.  after about 15 years the cast iron centerboard needed to be blasted and re-finished.  the ballast (in the keel) is fine. SWEET PEA is now 30 years old. check the condition of the board (ie, have the boat lifted at a boat yard) ... or at least launch the boat and confirm that the centerboard moves up-down. the steel & cast iron M17s have the weight a bit lower than the lead M17's with the M15 centerboard as the cast iron boat is about 180lbs v. the M15's 45 lbs.  cast iron boards are also a bit larger than the M15s so the 'steel' boats go to weather a bit better.  Jerry has stated he can't tell the difference ... i disagree. on a side note my '84 M15 was steel ballast in both the keel and centerboard.  no problems with the boat when i purchased her nor when she was sold. :: Dave Scobie :: M17 #375 SWEET PEA - www.m17-375.webs.com :: former M15 owner - www.freewebs.com/m15-named-scred ________________________________ From: Stan Susman <stanpfa@pacbell.net> Sent: Friday, June 21, 2013 9:55 AM steel ________________________________ From: Becky Belding <becky@beckybelding.com> Sent: Friday, June 21, 2013 8:49 AM Does anyone know if the 1985 M17  ballast is lead or steel? Thank you :) Becky