Meadow Bird link  http://www.cmdboats.com/mbirdk.htm I also think is should retain the shallow draft capability with a shallow draft rudder as well. The longish keel on the M15 tracks pretty well for comfortable single handing and works well with the gaff cutter. Thanks Doug --- On Sat, 5/16/09, Doug Kelch <doug_kelch@yahoo.com> wrote: From: Doug Kelch <doug_kelch@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: M_Boats: market research To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Saturday, May 16, 2009, 12:19 PM Jerry, I hope I am not too late to get in on your weekend thought process. My opinions are biased towards cruising so I would opt for spliting the extra lenght between the cockpit and cabin.  In a small boat you do live in the cockpit much of the time.  As other people have already noted the need for comfortable sitting head room would be an enormous advantage. The interior of the Sun Cat 16 was very nicely done but it had a lot of beam to work with. Perhaps a slide out table from under the cockpit floor, with sitting head room on the side would be a nice set up for writing, playing cards, doing email or reading charts on a rainy afternoon. As to the hull, I do like the looks of the lapstrake but a nice classic shear always adds a salty look. Until I found the Montgomery 15 I came  close to building a Meadow bird 16 in the non lapstrake version.              So you might consider a split sail cruising rig.  I am finding my Gaff cutter to be a more verstile cruise than the bermuda rig and with the good long keel in the M15 I do not give up much to windard at all. Thanks Doug Kelch M15G #310 "Seas the Day" --- On Wed, 5/13/09, jerry <jerry@jerrymontgomery.org> wrote: From: jerry <jerry@jerrymontgomery.org> Subject: M_Boats: market research To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 3:25 PM Something more pleasant!  I've been in a dialog with a builder to design a "Montgomery style" boat; probably 16', and I'd like to ask you for some opinions and comments.  Lapstrake:  How do you think the average buyer, looking for a boat in this size range, would look at a lapstrake hull as opposed to a smooth hull?  You and I are probably prejudiced so we don't count.  People can see that a lapstrake hull is dryer (but not much, really) and they can see that it's stiffer- again, not much. A lapstrake hull is a bit heavier but weight in a hull doesn't really slow the boat down enough to matter even to me.  There is a cost factor, partly because of taking longer to lay up, a little more material, and because it takes a bit better molder, but not much, and really, the deck has more man hours in it than a hull so cost is a small factor.  I don;'t believe there is a performance factor of any import.  Maybe I'm saying too much; and the simple question is: which would sell best to the average buyer? I'm thinking the interior would be a roomier version of the 15, with a little more storage, and more comfortable sitting headroom.  Also, the 15 cockpit is about 5.5' long, and when  i'd take a 15 cruising I'd cleat the drop hatches to bridge the cockpit benches and sleep at a diagonal.  This worked fine for me but would not work for most couples, especially if they fight a lot.  The 17 cockpit, being over 6', was much better for sleeping in the cockpit. Here's the question : where would you like to see the extra foot of length- in the cockpit or the interior, or what combination of both? Any other comments would be welcome.  My ex-wife used to call me a know-it-all but we all know I'm not!  I think these subjects would be good for the list, but if you don't like speaking to a crowd feel free to email me directly at jerry@jerrymontgomery.org. jerry _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats Remember, there is no privacy on the Internet!       _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats Remember, there is no privacy on the Internet!