Have it surveyed if you are serious about buying - you won't regret the relatively minor expense (ca $200) -
cheers- Shawn Boles Grey Mist (M17 #276 1978) -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Rachel Sent: Monday, August 14, 2006 5:20 AM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: Re: M_Boats: what to look for/at in a 1975 M-17 Hi Robbin, Of course there are lots of things to look for, but I'll just mention a couple here to get you started :-) 1) Deck core. Wet deck core can be fixed, but it's a pain (ask me how I know...). On the off chance that the present owner doesn't want you drilling numerous test holes in the deck ;-), you can get a pretty good idea by looking inside at the areas where the various deck hardware items are attached (bow pulpit, jib tracks, traveller, etc.) If you see rusted bolts, orange staining, or any other signs of water having leaked through in those areas, it might be prudent to remove some hardware and check the condition of the deck core. You can also "sound" the deck with something like a plastic mallet, or a screwdriver handle. A nice "ring" sound is good; a dull thump can indicate moisture. On my 1981 (which I had surveyed by a professional since I was halfway across the country - a lot of good THAT did), the rust was there, and after I got the boat home I ended up with a bit of a re-core project (quite a bit of the bow under the pulpit, large areas under the jib tracks, the area under the mast step - which was crushed, not wet - and some places under the traveler bolts. 2) Transom. On an older-style M-17 (pre-1981), I would check over the transom-to-hull area. On that style M-17 the top of the transom does not have the (stronger) out-turned "lip" at the top edge of the transom, and on several I looked at I found cracking on the transom about a half inch in from the edges where they joined the topsides (sides of the hull above the waterline). In other words, where the hull planking would join the transom planking if it were a wooden boat. Happy shopping! --- Rachel Fatty Knees 7' #302 Former owner, M-17 #334 Former owner, M-15 #517 _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
