November 2002 - montgomery_boats - mailman.xmission.com

Re: M_Boats: Re: M15 Trailers
by Conbert H Benneck 03 Nov '02

03 Nov '02

Hi Joe, Thanks for your excellent information. Now I have a better starting point for research on the subject. I prefer to do serious navel contemplating before jumping into the unknown, and then learning as I go. Connie

1 0

Re: M_Boats: Re: M15 Trailers
by Conbert H Benneck 02 Nov '02

02 Nov '02

Hi gang, Has anyone equipped their M15 Trailrite trailer with trailer brakes? How difficult is the job of doing the installation? How effective are they? Are they worth the cost and effort? Any problems driving with a rig with trailer brakes? Connie

2 1

Re: M_Boats: Resealing tiller & Rudder & Outboard questions
by Conbert H Benneck 02 Nov '02

02 Nov '02

Hi Jane & Tom; I'm facing a bit of rudder repair myself this winter. My lake gets so low that the poor rudder has been taking a beating - sailing, or backing out of the slip. So, at the moment, I have a small cracked portion on the aft bottom end of the rudder that needs TLC. I intend to repair the wood, then put some fiberglass cloth over the lower third of the rudder to protect it from the rocks, and to strengthen the vulnerable area. At that point I'll refinish the rest of the rudder too. Currently I have some bottom paint on the rudder (it came that way when I bought it), but this is a nuisance, because the paint leaves a trail of blue streaks if you slide it into the cabin or into the car without carefully wrapping the rudder blade to prevent blue streaks. My thought is to just fiberglass the rudder; then varnish the above water portion - for good looks - and use a polyurethane paint below the water line. Will have to check with the paint manufacturers and see what they say about their paint adhesion when immersed over longer time periods. Connie M15 #400

2 1

Re: M_Boats: Re: Uses for a bent mast
by Wilsometer＠aol.com 02 Nov '02

02 Nov '02

In a message dated 11/2/02 10:44:51 AM, chbenneck(a)juno.com writes: << My squirrels have also discovered a great love for M15s. With the winter cover over the boat, they have built nests in the corner between deck and cockpit coaming - snug as a bug on an M15! Now there's a use that Jerry probably never imagined! I don't mind that, I just wish that they wouldn't sharpen their teeth on my black jam cleats.......... >> Connie, You are a kind soul! Scott

1 0

Re: M_Boats: Re: Uses for a bent mast
by Conbert H Benneck 02 Nov '02

02 Nov '02

Hi Bill, Thanks for the suggestion of using the mast as the support for the bird feeder, but that will make our friends, the squirrels - mad. I've built a platform feeder, with roof, and the antics of our four legged, grey furry birds with the long tails as they each claim their part of the feeder is enough to get the day started properly, with ear to ear grins. The main purpose of the bird feeder is to feed squirrels. The birds get theirs elsewhere. My squirrels have also discovered a great love for M15s. With the winter cover over the boat, they have built nests in the corner between deck and cockpit coaming - snug as a bug on an M15! Now there's a use that Jerry probably never imagined! I don't mind that, I just wish that they wouldn't sharpen their teeth on my black jam cleats.......... Connie

1 0

M15
by Seawitch 01 Nov '02

01 Nov '02

Connie, I am glad to hear you say you tow your M15 with such a small car. I just got my new M15 and have been somewhat worried about towing her with my Rodeo. I would guess that the Rodeo is bigger than your Jetta and probably has a larger engine. It eases my mind somewhat, thanks. ===== Time for a cool change! Sandra __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? HotJobs - Search new jobs daily now http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/

1 0

Re: M_Boats: portable gimballed stove
by Conbert H Benneck 01 Nov '02

01 Nov '02

Hi Tod, I had a forerunner of the Forespar mini-galley with my MICRO. The original was designed to be used with a Primus burner (kerosene or alcohol), which fitted in a slot in the base of the gimbaled stove. Your small pot then sat in the - about 8" diameter - top, which kept it snugly in place (provided you can find a pot that fits that opening size). I never used it, since I had bought a propane stove that was low and flat, with the bottle at an angle alongside the stove so there was little danger of pot plus stove tipping over. That was my solution to cooking on board, and it worked very well, though I didn't try cooking in a seaway, or if too many PWCs were churning up the area trying to produce whipped cream. I am using the low flat stove in the M15 today. Connie

1 0

Re: M_Boats: Re: montgomery_boats digest, Vol 1 #413 - 11 msgs
by Conbert H Benneck 01 Nov '02

01 Nov '02

Bones, The only reason I say bigger is not better, is because I've been there and done that. However, all this is a function of many variables: size of family; what you want to really use the boat for - day sailing; overnighting ; longer periods of cruising; what you are willing to live with for trailerability. This determines whether or not you need an M15 or an M17 Our 29 footer was an ideal boat for four; and we spent many happy summers sailing her, but traileralble - no way. Now I am at the other end of the size scale. A Jetta wagon for a tow vehicle, and an M15 as the playtime sailboat. No marina charges; no launch or hauling charges; no mast storage charges. The M15 lives next to the garage. I can work on it easily. If I need a drill or a screwdriver, it is a short trip down into the cellar to get what I need. Parts are small and light - a one person operation. The cockpit is long enough for the Admirable to stretch out and enjoy a snooze while I'm on a beam reach across Lake Champlain, dreaming of foreign lands that appear over the horizon (Vermont!). In short, I've optimized my sailing experiences: same fun; same adventures; at almost 0 cost. The M15 allows me to go to cruising grounds where I would have had to spend a week's vacation just getting there. Now it is a few hours up or down the Interstate cruising, hard on the wind at 65 to 70 MPH! Vacation time is spent sailing, not in getting to the new cruising grounds! The pleasure is the same: only the costs for the pleasure have gone from $3K per season ('92 prices) to almost $0. I also no longer have to maintain an engine and it's cooling system; a toilet and holding tank system; the fresh water system, galley stove and the refrigerator system; dinghies; and all the ancillary equipment that goes with a bigger boat. Nor is it like moving a three room apartment, when you have to empty the boat at the end of the sailing season. The M15 is small, light weight; low on equipment requirements for it's operation, and my 2 HP Honda is a great little auxillary power unit. It is an ideal compromise and a great return on investment, for the pleasure it provides. If you need new equipment or new "toys" for the boat, again, we are talking in small sums. A friend of mine bases the cost of his toys on the price of martinis. If his latest toy cost $10; it was a two Martini toy. The M15 is similar. I have yet to exceed the 6 Martini limit on new gadgets, gilhickies, or dodads, needed to decorate and further enhance an M15, but my bent mast will alter that equation. But even there, the cost of a new mast will not break the bank. M sailing is pure unadultrated fun.......... Connie

4 4

Re: M_Boats: Robert Eeg's
by Rotortom2＠aol.com 01 Nov '02

01 Nov '02

Since my sailing experience has been limited to my M-17, my knowledge of really bad boats in the 17 foot range is extremely limited. Perhaps some of you out there in M-land have ideas as to the really crappy boats in that size range which we can recommend to Kyle. I think the Potter 19 is far too good for him!

4 3

Re: M_Boats: Nor'Sea 27 in Good Old Boat and thanks
by Conbert H Benneck 01 Nov '02

01 Nov '02

Hey gang, If you want interesting reading - wildly varying subjects: from model boat sailing in New Zealand to articles on dinghies (should have had that 30 years ago then I wouldn't have had to painfully learn everything that the article mentions); to Phil Bolger articles; to interesting boat experiences and adventures, plus a free classified section for subscribers; subscribe to Messing About in Boats 29 Burley St. Wenham, MA 01984-1943 Subscription cost: $28.00 per year for two issues a month.......... I gave up the "glossies" long ago, with their endless articles: "the pointy end is called the bow; and the blunt end is called the stern........" Messing About in Boats is a lot more fun to read and enjoy. Connie

3 2