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New member - look forward to learning and contributing
I’m new to the forum and would like to introduce myself.
I just purchase a 2005 Montauk 170 with the 90hp 4 stroke.
A little bit of my boating history:
I bought my first boat when I was 12 -- an aluminum canoe that I still have. Then came a Snark sailboat followed by and an aluminum jon boat. When my 3 boys were still in elementary school, I bought and restored a 16’ wooden lapstrake runabout. It was built by Cruisers and had a 40 Hp Johnson. We raised the kids on that boat. But as the kids got older and went boating with us less and less, I wanted to give sailing a serious try. So I sold the lapstrake runabout and bought a wooden 20’ Highlander one-design racing sailboat. I spent a winter restoring and re-rigging her and spent two summers sailing her on Lake Geneva, Green Bay, Lake Michigan, and the Apostle Islands.
As much as I love restoring and sailing old wooden boats, I found that wanted to spend more time on the water and less time in the shop. So I went looking for a boat built with that (gasp!) fiberglass stuff. Please don’t tell the folks on the woodenboat.com forum -- I’m trying to keep it a secret.
We had so much fun on the runabout -- it was versatile, we could tow it anywhere, use it on lakes, rivers, and Great Lakes harbors. I decided I wanted to go back to power, and in a boat about that size.
And so, after an exhaustive search, I bought the Montauk through Gage Marine on Lake Geneva. They are a great outfit, and the Montauk 170 is everything I thought it would be.
I know nothing about modern engines. I know nothing about fiberglass cleaners and waxes. So I’ll probably have a few questions. I look forward to picking your brains -- hopefully I can contribute back occasionally.
Many of us Whaler owners started out somewhat the same fashion. I started out with a couple of aluminum boats and then bought my first Sport 13' in 1975... Haven't looked back since. I am on my 5th Whaler now.
Welcome and congratulations, you have made the right choice. The new Montauk is very nice. I am the third owner of a 1987 Montauk for the last 15 months.
I too was a total novice on cleaning, maintenance and techniques despite having spent a lot of time on the water (have a house on an island off the coast of Maine)
Feel free to post a thread when faced with questions, no matter how small. I learned soooo much reading the board and asking questions.
I can't see buying another brand of boat and give up the tightest, most helpful group of boat lovers in the world.
