February 2003 - montgomery_boats - mailman.xmission.com

Florida Keys
by Michael L Bowden 23 Feb '03

23 Feb '03

Greetings to all snowbound midwest and eastcoast M-boaters! I can certainly relate to the snow bound blues and the blizzard of 03. Minnesota will reach a high of 8 degrees tomorrow (according to the Miami Herald). I'm in the Keys at a rental home on Cudjoe, this is mile marker 22, thus 22 mikes from Key West. I've been here 2 days so far for a 9 day stay. Weather is delightful of course, partly cloudy and highs around 81 degrees. The wind has been from the SE at 10 to 20. It would be perfect conditions for my M17 if only I had her here. To John and Todd, I found a private marina just down the road from me which would be ideal for launching. It is in Cudjoe Gardens and has an area for set up, a nice steep, deep ramp, and connects to Cudjoe Bay and Hawk Channel. It is at mile marker 20. The Keys will be tricky sailing due to the tide and huge shallow areas. I have been pouring over the charts I have of the area and channels are very well marked and once you are a distance from shore, sailing along the reef would be splendid. I look forward to having my boat down here sometime, once I can start to snowbird during the winter for a month or more. I will be doing some fishing, which is also exciting and gets me on the water. I hope the spring weather in Minnesota arrives and stays. I'm always anxious to slide into the summer swing after arriving home. On another note, I replaced the old Johnson 6hp 2 stroke with a Yamaha 4 hp 4 stroke for my M17. The Yamaha has more vibration yet at a lower frequency. You get used to it quickly and is not a big issue. I will not return to using a 2 stroke for the pollution issues and the poor fuel efficiency. I have an older Honda BF100 10hp 4 stroke that will be going on the M23 to replace the Mariner 8hp 2 stroke. Time to do the "green" thing. Think spring. Bones ________________________________________________________________ Sign Up for Juno Platinum Internet Access Today Only $9.95 per month! Visit www.juno.com

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Re: M_Boats: Whisker Pole & VHF Radio Input Needed
by Wilsometer＠aol.com 23 Feb '03

23 Feb '03

In a message dated 2/23/03 8:00:44 AM, RandyG(a)cite.nic.edu writes: << M-Sailers, Am looking to purchase a whisker pole and replacement VHF radio for our M-15, and would appreciate input. For a VHF radio I like the Icom IC-M45 fixed unit. Have gone back and forth between a handheld and fixed unit. Since our M-15 has an electrical system and masthead antenna, I was thinking the fixed unit with upto 25 watts of transmitting power would have an advantage. Any ideas? Other makes & models?>> Randy, I use an Icom M3A Handheld in an 'aqua safe' dry bag (If I were buying now, I would get the more waterproof M2A. If I can only have one radio, I prefer it be a handheld. Mine uses either the rechargeable Nicad, or AA alkalines. During our three week BC cruise, one set of alkalines lasted the entire trip (mostly monitoring and weather station checks--very little talking). I like the idea of being able to take the radio with me in the dinghy, or worse, if the boat was lost. I also use it on my sea kayak. As for the 25 watt vs. the 5/6 watt issue. I have read several articles suggesting that the antenna is more important than the power. I think that for most of the waters I sail, the topography is the limiting factor, and more power probably would not help. <<Forespare makes a 1" diameter, 4-8 ft adjustable whisker pole that looks like a good match for an M-15. You can get it with either clamps on both ends or a clamp on one end and a "spike" on the other end. In the past, both poles I used on other boats had the clamps at both ends. Any advantage/disadvantage of the clamp over the spike on the outbound end of the pole? Where do you store a whisker pole on an M-15? Other ideas?>> I have the 'deluxe' version of the Forespar 4-8 pole. Mine has the 'clamps' on both ends, and came with a mast mount pad-eye. I have yet to mount the pad-eye (I always deliberate forever before poking holes). I have attach it to a rope loop on the gooseneck until I am sure were I want it. I store the pole atop the flotation foam under the starboard (shallow) lazzarrette. <<Thanks for all the good reading and help, Randy Graves M-15 #407 Post Falls, ID >> Good luck! Scott Grometer, M15 #478 'bebe'

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Re: M_Boats: Whisker Pole & VHF Radio Input Needed
by IDCLLC＠aol.com 23 Feb '03

23 Feb '03

I have that very pole on our P-15 and like it a lot. It has the spike on the end, which hasn't fallen out in the two years I've used it. The only improvement I would like is that the "adjustable" end be located at the mast rather than the clew of the sail, thus allowing adjustment on the fly. Steve Tyree, P-15 #2098 "Amy Ann" In a message dated 2/23/2003 10:00:44 AM Central Standard Time, RandyG(a)cite.nic.edu writes: > Forespare makes a 1" diameter, 4-8 ft adjustable whisker pole that looks > like a good match for an M-15. You can get it with either clamps on both > ends or a clamp on one end and a "spike" on the other end. In the past, > both poles I used on other boats had the clamps at both ends. Any > advantage/disadvantage of the clamp over the spike on the outbound end of > the pole? Where do you store a whisker pole on an M-15? Other ideas? >

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Re: M_Boats: consolidation
by Larry Yake 23 Feb '03

23 Feb '03

Fellow listers, Perhaps this has not been a bother to others, and if so, forget I brought it up, but in the interest of limiting the number of e-mails received, could I suggest an attempt when convenient to consolidate our replys to other messages into a single posting? Seems we are constantly getting repeats of previous messages with just a line or so added. Not a big deal, and certainly not a "like it or leave it" issue, but just a thought. Larry

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Re: M_Boats: Vibration
by chbenneck＠juno.com 23 Feb '03

23 Feb '03

Wayne, After rereading your laser comments, I'm building myself a second Martini to sort it out. Are you familiar with Topographic maps? The maps that have contour lines every 10 feet? That is a horizontal slice through the mountain at that height. The laser is doing the same. It is cutting the surface it is looking at, the Montgomery hull, and produces a flat plane - the cut section. If that section is your water line, you've nailed it. Connie

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Re: M_Boats: Vibration
by chbenneck＠juno.com 23 Feb '03

23 Feb '03

Craig, It's been a nice Saturday. The temperature has gone up to the low 40's and it's been raining all day, which is doing a job on our 20 " of snow. Of course, now the streets are awash, and you may need a dinghy, but anything is better than 20" of snow. .......and now you come along and ruin this bliss by asking, how am I going to remove the anti-fouling that is above the line where it should be. Sheesh, Craig, ..... that's next month's problem. The problem after I've finished my taxes; after the snow is long gone, when I can reach the boat without putting on hip boots, ...........and you ask how will I remove the anit-fouling. Well, I'll probably start scraping with a sharp scraper to see if it chips off. If it doesn't, then I might revert to chemical means - if I can find a suitable remover. If I scrape, I scrape gently. If I leave marks, then my problem is repaint? Having done this before on my 29 footer, I have no qualms about redoing a hull - a 15 foot hull is a lot easier to do than a 29 foot hull. So, at this point I really can't say, until I start to work and see what works and what doesn't. Tune in tomorrow - same station; same time - for the next exciting episode of this drama. Connie

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Re: M_Boats: Vibration
by chbenneck＠juno.com 23 Feb '03

23 Feb '03

Craig, Today it has been raining all day. The snow water line has gone down at least 12 inches. Most of the tarp on the M15 is now visible........... If I raise up in my seat and really look, I think I can see the fenders of the trailer over the mound of snow (or is this just wishful thinking?) But Spring Will Come. Sailing will recommence; WE WILL PREVAIL! Connie

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"So many boats, so little time"
by Honshells 23 Feb '03

23 Feb '03

"There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." ----- Original Message ----- From: Gordon Allgrove To: montgomery_boats(a)mailman.xmission.com Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2003 10:49 PM Subject: San Diego Thank You, Glad you like it. We don't have a Sea Pearl right now tho' (the other one of our current 'rag sailors' is a 60+ year old Snipe, that I need to finish restoring), I just liked the artwork as a backdrop. FYI, we also have Stink Potters (e.g. electric for aluminum fisher so wife can 'drown worms' on the nearby lake - not enough room for a decent sail). "So many boats, so little time". right? Take Care, Gordon

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Re: M_Boats: San Diego
by Saltm17＠aol.com 23 Feb '03

23 Feb '03

Thanks to everyone who responded for all the good information. It looks like I will stop in San Diego for a few days sail, and from the sound of all those good resturants I may have to start dieting right away so I won't gain too much weight before the Small Craft Races. Right now, it looks like I will be in the San Diego area in mid to late June, and as with anywhere Miss T goes, there is a standing invitation for anyone/everyone to sail along..I enjoy the company and can always use the local knowledge. John Edwards MissT M17 # 372

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Re: M_Boats: San Diego
by chbenneck＠juno.com 23 Feb '03

23 Feb '03

Sorry, Steve, I've never tried ice boating. I have a sailing friend that used to do it, but I never had a chance to try. Wisconsin, I think is more of iceboat country. Connie

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