We just bought an '83 M17 after owing/sailing Coronado 15, Hobie 16 (3), 6 Hobie 18s; Stiletto 27; Merit 25; Impulse 26; B-25; new '90 Montgomery 17; 235 Beneteau, and now the '83 M17! We did a lot of racing in an earlier life, and the truth be known, if there is one other boat where we are, we're
"racing!" Most of our sailing has been on San Francisco Bay. We've been out in everything the Bay has to offer. At no time did I feel like we might not get home when using the M17; maybe felt like we might get wet, but we'd get home -- and we always did! Spent many nights trailering to Sausalito where we'd spend the weekend. Can't beat the price. Then, $15 per night for dock space, restroom key (with showers) and close to all kinds of good food. Many trips to Angel Island and down City Front. We had an Autotiller, so on the way back to Sausalito in the late afternoon, we'd set that and snuggle up against the cabin and back we'd go! This current boat needs some TLC but have great plans for it (and its trailer). The first thing I've always done with our boats is install great trailer guides so the boat can only go in and come out the right way. (We've mainly had to launch/retrieve by using a 20' long tow strap to back the trailer out under the water..and same for retrieval). Guides speeds up the launching and retrieval dramatically. With the last M17 we could, from the top of the ramp, rig and launch and be sailing away, after parking the trailer, in 13 minutes or less - every time! Same with that Beneteau 235 .. and it had a 28' mast with a wing keel. This time I am even going to install an electric winch so mast raising can easily be a one person job w/o any lifting! Have another autotiller to go on the boat. Again, 99% of our sailing will be in San Francisco, Monterey, Tahoe and in the Delta. Hope to see some of you folks out there. Jay and Kathleen _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
