My most important criteria when selecting a boat were:
- Trailerable behind my current Olds minivan
- Able to sleep four in relative comfort
- Level sailing, so as to not scare my non-sailing wife
Other things I wanted:
- Beachable
- Easy to rig
- Stowage space
I researched my options on the Net, and realized that the Potter 19 was
really the only boat that satisfied all of my "must haves". I found the
Potter Web and did some more research, eventually contacting the factory
and getting Dean Knudson's name as a local potter sailor who was willing
to show his boat.
I called Dean and he offered to take me out the morning before he hauled
out for the winter. Dean let me steer the whole time, and the boat just
felt right. The wind on Medicine Lake that morning was steady, but light,
and I didn't get a good feel for how much heeling I could expect in a
stiffer breeze. The members of this list were unanimous in their opinion,
however, so I checked that item off the list.
Now, over two years later, I'm still happy with the choice we made.
I just wished I'd pushed a little harder to get us to relocate to a
warmer climate; I won't get to sail again for at least three months.
-- Eric L. Pederson P-19 #970, Necessity Bloomington, MN