Montgomery 17 vs Sanibel 18

[cerebra]

I know this has been gone over in the past, but I have a dilemma. I am looking to buy very soon a pocket cruiser and have narowed it down to 2 very good late model boats. 1st is a Sanibel 18 in very good shape at a very good price with some nice factory options added. 2nd is a Montgomery 17 in very good shape at a very good price with some nice factory options. I will primarily be doing freshwater sailing inland, and occaisionally Chesapeak bay. Never more than a night or two out. Maybe Gulf of Mexico day sails, and a rare chance of Keys island hopping in a couple of years. What are opinions? The Sanibel has more factory options, the Montgomery has that beautiful hull. Are they both just as sea worthy? Pro's? Cons? Probably make a decision in a week. Thnx!

[Allanbc]

I had a Montgomery 17 for a short time. It was a really sweet boat to sail. I hope to own another one some day.

[scotthenry]

I had a Monty-17 for a few years a couple of decades ago, when I lived in the Los Angeles area... It was a really nice boat to sail, and I sailed it to Santa Cruz Island a few times (one circumnavigation), and to Catalina innumerable times (including more than one circumnavigation). For one person, I found it to be pretty comfortable for a week, only a long weekend for a couple, though.

[MarkCK]

I think the Montgomery 17 is the better built boat and the Sanibel was built to be more of an economy entry level boat. I have never heard anything bad said about the Sanibel though.

[souljour2000]

You also might want to ask opinions on some of the other sites that are more trailor-sailer oriented...there are alot of trailer-sailer guys out there but they don't post that often in here really.... but they are quite active on other sites...