Update; All day at the computer yesterday digging deep into pocket cruisers.
First - I want a boat to keep for a very long time. I like to think that I am simple enough to repress the need for a bigger boat. Someone on another thread recommended being a “boat bum”. I like this idea a lot. Mainly because I’m poor. OK not really poor, but poor enough to know I can’t have an Alden 54. I'll ride on someone elses big boat - or rent one if and when I need it. I turn 60 this month. My house is paid off. I've some money in the bank. $25,000.00 is no doubt a good chunk of change - but over the next , , remainder of my life, I hope to get in some good sailing in as many and as distant locations as my heart desires. Eventually I can leave a great little boat to my sailor nephew. Fifteen years or more of simple sailing make the investment seem worthwhile.
So I have settled on 18’ as a good size for me and unless I can find a one owner used in excellent condition I see new as my best option. BTW, this will be my fourth boat. Ownership is not entirely new to me. My final boat needs to be small enough to barley notice when being towed, big enough to sleep in for two or three nights (two bodies at most), and strong enough to be in blue(er) water.
One boat I discovered yesterday has a very strong cult following; the Montgomery 15 & 17. I like the 17 just for its size.
Compared to the Precision;
LOA; P – 17’5”, M – 17’2”…
LWL; P – 15’5”, M – 15’10”
Beam; P – 7’5”, M – 7’4”
Draft; P – 1’6”, M – 1’9” Board up
Draft; P – 4’3” M – 3’ Board down
Disp; P – 1100 lbs M – 1600 lbs
Ballast; P – 350 lbs M – 600 lbs
Sails; P – 145 sf M – 154 sf
It seems to me that the Montgomery wins on several comps; shorter boat / longer water line, shorter boat / greater sail area, greater ballast weight for stability. But I’m not confident in my conclusions. I’m asking for advice.
New these boats are very similar in price with trailer. The Montgomery’s have a very strong contingency that I don't find with the Precisions
They are built in southern California, close to where I would like to land in another five years.
And they are damn cute.
So?
Thanks as always!
First - I want a boat to keep for a very long time. I like to think that I am simple enough to repress the need for a bigger boat. Someone on another thread recommended being a “boat bum”. I like this idea a lot. Mainly because I’m poor. OK not really poor, but poor enough to know I can’t have an Alden 54. I'll ride on someone elses big boat - or rent one if and when I need it. I turn 60 this month. My house is paid off. I've some money in the bank. $25,000.00 is no doubt a good chunk of change - but over the next , , remainder of my life, I hope to get in some good sailing in as many and as distant locations as my heart desires. Eventually I can leave a great little boat to my sailor nephew. Fifteen years or more of simple sailing make the investment seem worthwhile.
So I have settled on 18’ as a good size for me and unless I can find a one owner used in excellent condition I see new as my best option. BTW, this will be my fourth boat. Ownership is not entirely new to me. My final boat needs to be small enough to barley notice when being towed, big enough to sleep in for two or three nights (two bodies at most), and strong enough to be in blue(er) water.
One boat I discovered yesterday has a very strong cult following; the Montgomery 15 & 17. I like the 17 just for its size.
Compared to the Precision;
LOA; P – 17’5”, M – 17’2”…
LWL; P – 15’5”, M – 15’10”
Beam; P – 7’5”, M – 7’4”
Draft; P – 1’6”, M – 1’9” Board up
Draft; P – 4’3” M – 3’ Board down
Disp; P – 1100 lbs M – 1600 lbs
Ballast; P – 350 lbs M – 600 lbs
Sails; P – 145 sf M – 154 sf
It seems to me that the Montgomery wins on several comps; shorter boat / longer water line, shorter boat / greater sail area, greater ballast weight for stability. But I’m not confident in my conclusions. I’m asking for advice.
New these boats are very similar in price with trailer. The Montgomery’s have a very strong contingency that I don't find with the Precisions
They are built in southern California, close to where I would like to land in another five years.
And they are damn cute.
So?
Thanks as always!