Hello to Harry & Nancy! You'll love sailing your M15 on Superior...we sail mostly the waters around Duluth MN, and have had the pleasure of exploring the Thunder Bay area a bit.

Auxiliary motor: I'd like the quietest one; was thinking of a Mercury 3.5hp vs a Honda 2hp?; short or long shaft?

We use the venerable Honda 2HP, short shaft; it's been reliable, a little noisy, very easy on gas (we used 2/3 gallon for a 7 day cruise on L. Nipigon this summer - but then we're rarely in a hurry). I can't exactly recall why we got the short shaft; it's a few pounds lighter than the long shaft, and on the 15 you do want to minimize the weight hanging out back, IMHO. Also, on starboard tack the short shaft is less likely to drag if you use the "tilt and rotate" method of raising the Honda. The prop will occasionally come out of the water in bouncy conditions if you have weight forward (e.g. crew on the bow).

Trailer tires: the best tires for long distance trailing in winter (Jan /07 from S.Cal. to our home in Thunder Bay on Lake Superior.

We did the same trip - in April. The large tires on the Pacific trailer inspire confidence - I think they would be fine for winter driving; allow extra time to avoid any bad road conditions that time of year -- yikes! We stopped by the Pacific factory for a pre-trip inspection and adjustment before setting off over the divide. Took the southern route (AZ, NM, TX) and up I35 to minimize driving at altitude.

I am really excited about getting one. Everything I have read and heard sounds like it is a great little boat.

Yessss! Stan & Lynn Froseth M15 "Cat's Paw" _________________________________________________________________ Get today's hot entertainment gossip http://movies.msn.com/movies/hotgossip?icid=T002MSN03A07001