June 2005 - montgomery_boats - mailman.xmission.com

Re: M_Boats: How fast have you gone?
by Saltm17＠aol.com 15 Jun '05

15 Jun '05

In mid May of this year, I was sailing in the Florida Keys from Big Pine Key to Key West (30 nm). The winds were out of the east, 15 to 20Ks and gusting above that. It was a downwind sail and while surfing a wave, my GPS registered 8.2 Knots. Current was negligable. The M17 is a very fast boat. On a beam reach in winds of 15K +/- my GPS has often registered 7 + knots with sustained runs at 6 + knots. John Edwards

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How fast with these go...
by nbundek 14 Jun '05

14 Jun '05

I've toped 7.9 by GPS surfing a wave on a broad reach into Ventura Harbor. The swells were about 10 - 12' and breaking over the break water. The wind was around 18 MPH. This was in my M15. It's a strange feeling to see over the break water while gliding past it. Norm M15 #172

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Re: M_Boats: almost ready: checklist, did I miss anything?
by chbenneck＠juno.com 14 Jun '05

14 Jun '05

Hi Bobbie, Further items for your list: air pressure in the trailer tires (tire pressure gauge?) air pressure in the back tires of the tow vehicle (loaded vehicle tire pressure) jack for trailer, .....just in case............ I use a 2 ton hydraulic jack - small and cheap chocks for trailer wheels when you uncouple the trailer For tying off halyards while trailering, I put a piece of plastic bag around the mast and then use duct tape. That way the duct tape can be cut off easily and there is no sticky residue from the duct tape. Velcro strips used to tie plants to stakes or trellises, is also a great way to tie up shrouds and halyards, see Lee Valley Garden Catalog. A lock for your trailer hitch, to keep someone from hooking up and driving off.......... A red rag for the end of the mast Spare trailer tail light bulbs. Mine seem to lead short lives. Lug wrench with fitting socket for your trailer wheel lugs (and for the car) Ratchet tie down straps for the boat a CB radio for communication while on the road ...........and put a dab of grease on the towing ball. Have a good, safe, and enjoyable trip. Connie

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tire pressure
by B. Mayer 14 Jun '05

14 Jun '05

I checked cold tire pressure without the trailer. What should be different on the rear tires with the trailer attached? Bobbie

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RE: M_Boats: almost ready: checklist, did I miss anything?
by Tom Smith 14 Jun '05

14 Jun '05

Register your boat where you plan to sail it the most. I live in WA, but sail mostly in ID, so I register the boats there. A spare bulb or two for the trailer lights is a good idea, plus a few extra fuses--I've blown fuses fussing around with trailer lights... Tom Smith & Jane VanWinkle M15/345--Chukar M17/064

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RE: M_Boats: Re: Re: New Questions on GPS (mac related)
by Kovach, Jerry 14 Jun '05

14 Jun '05

Scott, Thanks for the response. I'll be very interested in the results of your test in powering the Raymarine unit with NiMH and alkaline AA batteries. I too feel the Raymarine RC-400 has a desirable list of features, and if AA battery use is acceptable, it will be my next GPS unit. Like you, I plan to use the unit while traveling in my car (where AA battery consumption is not a problem) and while cruising in my engineless Falmouth Cutter and canoeing. Best, Jerry -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+jerry.kovach=neustar.biz(a)mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+jerry.kovach=neustar.biz@mailman.xmissi on.com]On Behalf Of Wilsometer(a)aol.com Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2005 2:17 AM To: montgomery_boats(a)mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: Re: Re: New Questions on GPS (mac related) Jerry, RE the Raymarine RC-400 battery life: 1) The unit came with (4) 'AA' Nickel Metal Hydride batteries (NiMH). At first use, the battery life was truly dismal (something like three hours). With each additional recharge/cycling, this time seemed to improve substantially. Apparently this is typical of NiMH-type batteries--I know I had a similar experience with the 'AA' batteries for my digital camera. 2) There are several selectable menu items such as brightness, display sleep, etc., that will effect battery life. 3) Most of my use to date has been with the unit plugged into the 12 volt cigarette lighter, so I have yet to arrive at a useful range for the 'AA' batteries. I will be doing a lot of driving this week, so I will experiment and get back to you with a more reasonable estimate. 4) I am going to guess something like 6-7 hours on the NiMH's, and perhaps more on really good Alkaline 'AA's. My intent was to carry several sets of NiMH's (charged) as well as a few sets of Alkalines. The one drawback of the NiMH's is their tendency to self-discharge during storage. This would not be a problem for a week trip, but I have noted substantial discharges when they sit three or more weeks. The alkalines are not subject to this kind of self-discharge. Anyway, I will update you with actual results as I am able. In my case, the RC-400 was the best choice even though power consumption might be high. I wanted to be able to re-power with off-the-shelf batteries for use on the M-15 and/or kayaking. All the other units I looked at (again, I am on a Mac, so this ruled out those with PC-only support) had some kind of proprietary battery, and it did not seem like it would be cost effective to purchase/charge/carry a sufficient number of what were very expensive batteries. Best, Scott In a message dated 6/13/05 7:29:32 AM, montgomery_boats-request(a)mailman.xmission.com writes: >I too have been impressed with the Raymarine RC-400 unit but have heard >that the usable battery life is only 3 to 4 hours. What has been your experience >in this regard? _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats

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Re: Re: New Questions on GPS (mac related)
by Wilsometer＠aol.com 14 Jun '05

14 Jun '05

Jerry, RE the Raymarine RC-400 battery life: 1) The unit came with (4) 'AA' Nickel Metal Hydride batteries (NiMH). At first use, the battery life was truly dismal (something like three hours). With each additional recharge/cycling, this time seemed to improve substantially. Apparently this is typical of NiMH-type batteries--I know I had a similar experience with the 'AA' batteries for my digital camera. 2) There are several selectable menu items such as brightness, display sleep, etc., that will effect battery life. 3) Most of my use to date has been with the unit plugged into the 12 volt cigarette lighter, so I have yet to arrive at a useful range for the 'AA' batteries. I will be doing a lot of driving this week, so I will experiment and get back to you with a more reasonable estimate. 4) I am going to guess something like 6-7 hours on the NiMH's, and perhaps more on really good Alkaline 'AA's. My intent was to carry several sets of NiMH's (charged) as well as a few sets of Alkalines. The one drawback of the NiMH's is their tendency to self-discharge during storage. This would not be a problem for a week trip, but I have noted substantial discharges when they sit three or more weeks. The alkalines are not subject to this kind of self-discharge. Anyway, I will update you with actual results as I am able. In my case, the RC-400 was the best choice even though power consumption might be high. I wanted to be able to re-power with off-the-shelf batteries for use on the M-15 and/or kayaking. All the other units I looked at (again, I am on a Mac, so this ruled out those with PC-only support) had some kind of proprietary battery, and it did not seem like it would be cost effective to purchase/charge/carry a sufficient number of what were very expensive batteries. Best, Scott In a message dated 6/13/05 7:29:32 AM, montgomery_boats-request(a)mailman.xmission.com writes: >I too have been impressed with the Raymarine RC-400 unit but have heard >that the usable battery life is only 3 to 4 hours. What has been your experience >in this regard?

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Re: M_Boats: Re:GPS recharging/ power
by LUDLOWD2＠aol.com 14 Jun '05

14 Jun '05

I keep a "power source" on Sweet Dream to power the running lights, recharge my cell phone, and power any other electrical devices. Ths is basically a 5 AH x 12 volt AGM battery in a case with several "cigarette lighter" type 12 volt plugs. It also has plugs for other voltages (3, 6, 9) and some different adapters. It only weight about 5 lbs and I take it home occasionally to recharge it. Coleman makes a simular unit (10 AH jumpstart) for around $50. These should be able power or recharge your GPS if you decide to go the Raymarine route. Don

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Ballast in M 15
by Irvin Kooris 14 Jun '05

14 Jun '05

Hi all What type of ballast was used in a 1981 M15. Also, what was the centerboard made of/ Thanks Irv

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GPS Decision
by B. Mayer 13 Jun '05

13 Jun '05

Well, I bought the Magellan Meridian Color. It will allow me to add the Puget Sound Blue Nav chart on an SD card, without overwriting the preloaded maps, and it isn't as expensive as the Garmin ones that use cards. I ordered it from Amazon for $269; the card will be another $115 or so if I decide to buy it. I wanted to get it before I leave (now Wednesday) but it was out of stock until today and their next day shipping really takes two days. Best Buy had it for $100 more but I could not justify that for two days use even though it would have been fun to have along on the trip. I wanted a handheld as I'd also like to use it to clock speed in my rowing boat. Thanks to everyone for your input. Bobbie

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