M17 vs M15

Posted By: Ron Keeler
Date: 10/19/08 11:02a.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Montgomery 15 or Montgomery 17 (Eric)

For my money, I would go for the 17. I have an early model M17 with the side galley. The V berth is quite roomy for two people, even with my 6 foot 250 pound bulk. The compression post under the mast does make it a bit harder to get into the bunk (like a center pole in a backpack tent) but once in, it is comfortable and roomy. The quarter berth (on the starboard side) is pretty tight for a large person to sleep in but, it is comfortable for one person to sit but, tight for two to sit. The advantage of the galley model is the larger storage lockers under the cockpit seats and storage under the galley cabinet. The later models had quarter berths on both sides and are plenty roomy for two people to sit. When cruising, I normally use a boom tent over the cockpit for lounging and cooking and have screened side curtains with roll down flaps to keep the flying critters and rain out. I have found the M17 to be easy to sail and the larger cockpit is nice if you want to have a guest or two aboard for daysailing. The longer mast is a bit harder to raise but using an a-frame and the trailer winch, one person can do it with ease. (See my advertisement on "Sailing Texas" to see mast raising rig on my Harpoon 5.2). A sliding tongue extension on the trailer makes launching the keel/cb model a breeze. I went from the Harpoon to the Montgomery because my age and arthritus make it hard to act as live ballast on a high performance centerboard daysailer. This is the opinion of an old man who has been addicted to sailing for the past 55+ years. The M17 is my favorite of dozens of boats, both larger and samller, that I have owned.