Lewis, When I get to heaven, I'm going to have a Potter 15, Montgomery 15, Montgomery 17, Potter 19, and Hans Christian 48... which is to say, every boat has it's advantages and disadvantages. I've owned several different sailboats, the most recent being a Potter 15 and my current love - a Montgomery 17. I haven't owned a Montgomery 15 but did study them quite a bit before purchasing the M-17.
So, here are some of the advantages and disadvantages I see between the two (remember, this is just my opinion): Potter 15 Advantages: Light weight - easy to tow. Easy to rig. Launches in very shallow water. Beachable. Sails flat - A plus for beginners. Draws only a few inches with board up. Very cute! - Allow an extra hour at the launch ramp for show and tell. Thinks she's an El Toro in the Harbor. Thinks she's a Hans Christian at sea. Less Expensive. Much larger numbers of P-15s Greatest sailing support group on the planet. Potter 15 Disadvantages: 1 "very large" foot smaller than the M-15. Hull not as structurally stout as the M-15. Mast and rigging not as stout. Centerboard trunk protrudes into cabin. Depends more on hull design than lead ballast for stability. Does not perform quite as well as the M-15. Montgomery 15 Advantages: 1 "very large" foot bigger than the P-15 Lapstrake hull built like a bomb shelter (Disclaimer: The M15 is not designed for, nor is it intended to be used as a bomb shelter). Stouter rigging. Thinks she's a Hans Christian when she's cruising. Thinks she's a J Boat when she's racing. No centerboard intrusion. Absolutely beautiful lines - you're going to need an extra hour at the launch ramp for show and tell on this one too. Lead ballasted shoal draft keel with swing down center board (my favorite arrangment for a microcruiser). Disadvantages: Heavier - Not as easy to tow and launch as the P-15. Deeper draft - Needs more water to launch and sail. Not Beachable. More expensive (But be careful, by the time you finish outfitting your new Potter 15, you may be closer to a new Montgomery 15 than you think). Does not sail as flat as a P-15 - May make some beginners a little uncomfortable. Because of her extra weight and longer shoal draft keel she may not be as "El Toro" like in close quarters as the P-15. Smaller numbers of M-15s Smaller (but very active and helpful) support group for M-15s The Potter 15 and Montgomery 15 are both great boats. The type of sailing you do will determine which is better for you. I prefer San Francisco Bay and ocean sailing so I would lean towards the M-15. If my primary intersest was San Joaquin Delta and lake sailing (with some bay and ocean sailing too) I'd lean toward the Potter 15. Fair Winds... Bob Campbell Montgomery 17 #615 "Alina" Lodi, CA ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lewis Baumstark" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, November 17, 2001 6:41 PM Subject: M_Boats: Monty vs Potter Evaluation > I am the owner of a Potter 15, but am an admirer of the Monties and have > never seen one is "real life." I would like to hear a frank > evaluation/comparison of the P15 and the M15. I will post this same > challenge to the Potter list. > > Lewis Baumstark > P15 > Bristol, Tn. > > >
