Hi Andrei, I found it takes a bit longer with the M17 as the mast is heavier then the compac and there are more stays which tends to complicate things a bit. I have to have help to put the mast up or else put together a better system. The compac mast was light enough where it only took moments to get the mast up. As for things to look for, pretty much the same as any other boat, but pay particular attention to the centerboard/keel, if you look through the posts on this forum and on a couple of web sites you will find that the ballast in the older boats is steel and the keel is cast iron. Both of which can rust which would swell and could potentially jam the centerboard in either the up (if on a trailer) or down (if in the water) position. Either of which can get expensive or labor intensive pretty quick. --Chad On Jun 4, 2008, at 1:39 PM, Andrei Caldararu wrote:
Dear all,
I am new to this list, but I am thinking of buying a 1975 M-17, hull #55. Unfortunately this boat is too far for me to inspect personally, so all I can do is rely on the seller's description and photos. According to them, the boat was extremely well mainained, and from the first few photos I saw this seems to be the case.
If anything, what are the things to look at, and/or to request pictures of? What are the common problem areas of the boat?
Another rather important question is the following: I currently have a Compac 16, which I can rig myself without any help in 20-30 minutes (I keep it on the trailer, and this is the time I need from arriving at the dock with the boat on the trailer, until I am sailing). Is the same possible with the M-17? Namely, can an average guy (age 36) rig all by himself, and how long would this take?
Thanks a lot,
Andrei.
_______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats