Bill: I don't know about your 1992 M17, but my 1986 M17's transom shows some horizontal superficial stress cracks about 4 inches down from the top and directly above the motor mount. I suspect it might be from trailering with the motor mounted compounded by what I consider insufficient reinforcement of the transom. The boat came with a 4hp 2 stroke Yamaha which is not excessively heavy for its power. My boat had the original fixed motor mount and I wanted to replace it with an adjustable motor mount. When we crawled around under there, we found that the transom backing material, which appears to be made out of the same balsa wood probably used to core the deck, runs across the transom on the inside, but does not extend to the top of the deck and stops short about 4 inches from the top. I have no idea why Jerry Montgomery did not fully extend the wood to the top before the deck lid was put on. This would have made logical sense and would have eliminated or minimized the stress cracks on the transom exterior. Jerry, if you're out there please tell me it wasn't to shave cost. We did replace the motor mount with a beautifully made Garhauer unit. Installation was a b**tch to say the least, since there is little clearance and I didn't want to start cutting access holes. Although the cracks appear to be superficial (gelcoat only), there is a terrible and disconcerting cracking noise when I lower the motor. By the way, the 4 hp moves the boat beautifully and is more than enough power. Maria ----- Original Message ----- From: <BILLAMICASR@aol.com> To: <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2004 6:30 PM Subject: Re: M_Boats: Towing with motor attached

Hi Connie, Yea that was me with the Valco stern & motor removed while out flyfishing. I really am not considering leaving the motor attached. It's just that the past owner of my new M-17 had done so for years withour any appreciable problems. I guess more than anything it attests to the quality of the M-17, not to mention his luck in keeping the motor. My past sailboat experience has been with a Honda 2hp which is very light and an inboard diesel. This M-17 has a 2-stroke 6hp. I haven't lifted it as yet, but suspect it will go about 60 to 70 pounds. No big thing for me... at this time. I'll be replacing the motor with a 4 to 5 HP 4-stroke. I'd like to go as light as possible and still get the oomph needed. I whole heartedly agree... keep the motor outa sight and outa mind. Bill M-17 SF Bay _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats