Time for me to pipe in on the value of Monty's. Last I looked, I have the oldest 17 in our registry at hull number 32 and recently purchased it in Washington - drove in excess of a thousand miles as well. I agree with Tim on this - a well found Monty gets bought at the price you are willing to pay. I paid my own premium but have no regrets since it was in good condition with newer sails, new standing and running rigging, new CF 500 snap furling, radio, auto this and that.... Bought a new trailer because the original was not up to muster. It has brakes which negate some of the issues around tow vehicle capacity from the earlier threads. Like all vintage boats, they need some attention and have their strengths and weaknesses. In my northern BC mountains there are numerous types of toys - quads, snowmobiles, power boats and a few sailboats too. At middle age, I figure that you should envision the life you want and get at it. For us, the Montgomery 17 is an excellent choice to be on the water. I don't have a web site developed but can send pics and experiences for others to ponder. The information contained in our group websites and a knowledge gained about what Lyle Hess designed dating back some 25 years also convinced me to get one. IMHO the M boats have the nicest looks and sailing properties in the trailerable field. I had a Potter 19 back in '94, a Halman 20 double end keelboat, and sailed a Bayfield 25 until coming back to trailer sailing - Bruce.
I was searching around for an answer to a situation I have right now. I figured someone here would know the answer. Had an amazing day of sailing yesterday (a whole other story). Once it was dark, the wind died down and I packed up and headed home. On the way in to the marina I found a small boat floating out in the lake. I motored up to it to see if someone might be passed out inside and it was empty. No broken lines, no sign of anything or anyone. So I hooked it up and towed it into my launch ramp. Pulled my 17 out and then pulled out the little boat. I have the little boat secured to my rig in the parking lot. Now what I am wondering is about ownership. On a lake with homes and businesses almost everywhere there is no way to find the owner. Yesterday was very windy and also from a rare direction (which is why it was such a perfect sailing day) so I reckon some careless person just allowed it to float off the beach or away from the dock. As the 'salvor' of this goofy little boat I know I am entitled to compensation for the 'rescue'....but I would gladly either give it back to the owner.....or just keep it. Do I have the right to keep this boat? There is really no way to find the owner. When I was working in a marina at the coast a chap had his anchored 30 something sailboat break loose during a hard wind. It was saved by a quick thinking fellow in a big motor boat. The motor boat guy ended up owning that sailboat. I don't know the details. It would not be an issue but for the fact that my wife would enjoy this boat. It one of those Pelican paddle wheeler things and has a built in cooler, drink holders and even a bimini. ~:0) Cheers, Tim in BC......a member of the Old Geezers Racing Club......BCM/P division.
participants (2)
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Bruce Ward -
Tim Diebert