This is how the story ends. For now.
As you know I have been reading, foruming, googleing, and generally spending entirely too much time trying to figure out the boat to buy. It all started with a 27’ O’Day LE that I thought I simply must have. Then I posted on this forum and got gobs of very good advice (read “The Grand Plan” and “A big step down”). After a month or two of spending days on the internet I decided on either a Montgomery 17 or a new Sage 17. The Montgomery is the only of these that you can find used as the Sage has shortly been in production. Turns out there are far more people looking for a Montgomery than selling one. True too of the Montgomery 15, the only Montgomery produced boat actually designed by Jerry Montgomery. There is a website specifically built for selling used Montgomery boats (http://msog.org/cfmods/M-boats4sail.cfm ).
If you browse this site you will find more ads from people wanting to buy than those wanting to sell.
I kept a close eye on this site and found a M15 within 350 miles of my home and within two days of the ad posting secured the boat by phone agreeing on a fair price contingent on inspection. I drove up on Sunday and found the boat and trailer to be in very good condition. I had with me a punch list inspection from Dave Scobie who is the marketing director for Sage and knows the Montgomery’s well having previously owned a 15’ and currently owning a 17’. All criteria on Dave's list easily passed inspection. All it really needs is a wash and wax and (probably, as the sails are original) new sails.
I purchased the boat and towed it home on Monday with no complications what so ever.
And so the story ends. For now. I have a M15 to sail around on while I finish my working career and time to save up for the boat that catches my fancy later – which is currently the Sage 17’.
I want to thank all posters for their participation on my threads. All posts were helpful in making my decision.
I will post pictures later. I just got her home last night.
Happy sailing.
Mike
As you know I have been reading, foruming, googleing, and generally spending entirely too much time trying to figure out the boat to buy. It all started with a 27’ O’Day LE that I thought I simply must have. Then I posted on this forum and got gobs of very good advice (read “The Grand Plan” and “A big step down”). After a month or two of spending days on the internet I decided on either a Montgomery 17 or a new Sage 17. The Montgomery is the only of these that you can find used as the Sage has shortly been in production. Turns out there are far more people looking for a Montgomery than selling one. True too of the Montgomery 15, the only Montgomery produced boat actually designed by Jerry Montgomery. There is a website specifically built for selling used Montgomery boats (http://msog.org/cfmods/M-boats4sail.cfm ).
If you browse this site you will find more ads from people wanting to buy than those wanting to sell.
I kept a close eye on this site and found a M15 within 350 miles of my home and within two days of the ad posting secured the boat by phone agreeing on a fair price contingent on inspection. I drove up on Sunday and found the boat and trailer to be in very good condition. I had with me a punch list inspection from Dave Scobie who is the marketing director for Sage and knows the Montgomery’s well having previously owned a 15’ and currently owning a 17’. All criteria on Dave's list easily passed inspection. All it really needs is a wash and wax and (probably, as the sails are original) new sails.
I purchased the boat and towed it home on Monday with no complications what so ever.
And so the story ends. For now. I have a M15 to sail around on while I finish my working career and time to save up for the boat that catches my fancy later – which is currently the Sage 17’.
I want to thank all posters for their participation on my threads. All posts were helpful in making my decision.
I will post pictures later. I just got her home last night.
Happy sailing.
Mike
Last edited:
.
