Sean, Am I correct in recalling the boat in Tucson (one of my favorite towns) has an 'Owner Completed" interior? If this is the case that may be some of the reason why it is moving slowly (or not at all). The boat appeared clean, the roller trailer is not my first choice but hey at $5000 +- it is a GREAT deal (we talked about getting divorced by our wives if we were foolish enough to 'bring it home'. As to the value of 17's - or any sailboat -they are indeed worth what the market will bear at the moment - these things are not a necessity of life, and there are plenty of them sitting in driveways and backlots! (got a line on a 198? m-17 down the street) To address 'Freewillie's' concern - after spending more than 30 years in the sailboat business - there was only one reason I bought expensive BUC and NADA sailboat pricing guides - because somebody else wanted to see one! They were usually shocked and dismayed by the listing of the product they had an interest in or owned - NO WAY it CAN'T be worth THAT! Depending on whether you are buying or selling, I didn't see many happy faces after they looked up their boat. Catalina - Good boat, many on the market - diluted value due to high inventory of resale. Hunter- fair boat - wacky styling and built at the other end of the country for this market - less inventory. Compac- Honest boat - but does not sail as well as ANY Montgomery. Check the resale prices of S2 6.7's, 6.9's and 7.9's yeah shoulda,coulda, didn't buy enuf of em did we? I think one needs to realize that a part of the value in these boats is - Cult inspired - probably well founded by the history of the product (Montgomery). Supply and Demand being what it is - see Cult history, and pricing of new boat compared to resale. Is the gasoline today worth 10X what it was in 1970? Same dinosaur juice - yes it is worth 10X and its a deal at that. Some of my musical instruments have appreciated 800% in the exact same time period as my M-17! Best method is to wait and find what you want, then strike the deal. The above is my "rant" based on 30+ years in the marine retail business selling sailboats including Catalina, Montgomery, Beneteau, S2, JY, Capri, Spirit, Reynolds, etc. If you want a used M-17 or 23 or 15 look at it like this - once you own one you are on the RIGHT side of the fence so to speak - and you can enjoy the 'value' of your boat! These are just toys. Take Care, Have Fun, Go Sailing Gary O M-17 #316a Team Geezer Racing...Old and in the Way.
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