Jerry, I now own M17 #14 and previously owned the pre-production prototype of Hake's Slipper 17 flush deck for 16 years. I loved the huge cockpit and minimalist interior of the Sipper. All it had below deck was two quarter berths that were quite comfortable for my 6 foot 250 pound frame and a place in the bow for storage and a head. Griselda, my Montgomery, doesn't have a bunk that is very comfortable or easy for me to get into with my bulk and metal knee joints. I don't use the Monty's built in galley but have a portable galley I use in the cockpit. I cruised Bullfrog, my Slipper all up and down the texas coast and in many Texas and New Mexico lakes and spent most of my lounging, cooking and eating time under the boom tent rather than in the cabin. So, for me, the large cockpit is the place where the room should be. One feature I wish both boats had was a self draining anchor locker on deck like my Boston Whaler Harpoon 5.2 and the Beneteau 235. I do prefer the looks of the lapstrake design and Griselda is much dryer going to windward than Bullfrog was. Bullfrog was a prototype and I did have to add stringers fore and aft to stop the hull from flexing. I think the Lapstrake design makes the Montgomery hull much stiffer and less prone to "oil canning". So, I vote for Lapstrake. It would be nice to have a boat of about 16 feet that combined the best several boats I have owned over the last 60 years. Here is my list: 1. Large cockpit - at least 6'-6" 2. Sitting headroom over the head 3. Fewer but larger berths with easy access. I prefer a midships quarter berth for sleeping when underway 4. Storage bins in the forepeak and alongside the head 5. Large cockpit lockers 6. Portable galley and ice chest 7. Self draining, deck opening anchor locker in bow 8. Shoal draft There was an article in Duckwortks magazine a few months ago that showed an interior modification for the Montgomery 17 that I really liked. It had the quarter berths with the bow devoted to storage and the head. I may convert Griselda to that configuration this winter. Now if you just had some wisdom to pass along about adding an anchor locker on the foredeck, Griselda (M17) would have almost everything I want. Now that you have my opinion, I want to remind you that "Opinions are like Assholes. Every one has one and everyone else's stinks". Whitebeard M17 #14, Griselda
From: jerry@jerrymontgomery.org To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 12:25:27 -0700 Subject: M_Boats: market research
Something more pleasant! I've been in a dialog with a builder to design a "Montgomery style" boat; probably 16', and I'd like to ask you for some opinions and comments.
Lapstrake: How do you think the average buyer, looking for a boat in this size range, would look at a lapstrake hull as opposed to a smooth hull? You and I are probably prejudiced so we don't count. People can see that a lapstrake hull is dryer (but not much, really) and they can see that it's stiffer- again, not much. A lapstrake hull is a bit heavier but weight in a hull doesn't really slow the boat down enough to matter even to me. There is a cost factor, partly because of taking longer to lay up, a little more material, and because it takes a bit better molder, but not much, and really, the deck has more man hours in it than a hull so cost is a small factor. I don;'t believe there is a performance factor of any import. Maybe I'm saying too much; and the simple question is: which would sell best to the average buyer?
I'm thinking the interior would be a roomier version of the 15, with a little more storage, and more comfortable sitting headroom. Also, the 15 cockpit is about 5.5' long, and when i'd take a 15 cruising I'd cleat the drop hatches to bridge the cockpit benches and sleep at a diagonal. This worked fine for me but would not work for most couples, especially if they fight a lot. The 17 cockpit, being over 6', was much better for sleeping in the cockpit. Here's the question : where would you like to see the extra foot of length- in the cockpit or the interior, or what combination of both?
Any other comments would be welcome. My ex-wife used to call me a know-it-all but we all know I'm not! I think these subjects would be good for the list, but if you don't like speaking to a crowd feel free to email me directly at jerry@jerrymontgomery.org.
jerry _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
Remember, there is no privacy on the Internet!
_________________________________________________________________ Hotmail® goes with you. http://windowslive.com/Tutorial/Hotmail/Mobile?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_Tutorial...