December 2007 - montgomery_boats - mailman.xmission.com

Montgomery Sailboats are in high demand
by Bob Eeg 15 Jul '13

15 Jul '13

And are built with top-notch quality. There is nothing in the market place faster, better built and as good looking as a Montgomery Sailboat. I don't run a factory; I run a very small boatshop. I built to order on a boat by boat basis. I do a lot of custom work when asked. Bronze ports, Stainless ports, extra ballast, Custom electrical systems, Idasailor rudders, anchoring packages..etc. This work is labor intensive. Quality takes time. I have 3 employees. These people are highly experienced in Laminating, construction, assembly and finish. Woodworking and other skills result in a absolutely beautiful sailing vessel. I use the best sails the best rigging, the best custom stainless fasteners..and yes....(laughing) the best cushions. This last 15 months have been EXTREMELY busy; hiring new help was impossible because all the good people are gone. We had a tremendous BACKLOG and we caught a break only when Pacific Seacraft employees (let go) began filtering into our shop looking for work. We did add some additional crew in the Laminating Shop and because of that we are caught up. Pacific Seacrafts Bankruptcy was good for us. Bad for the dozens of good people who are out of work. The FIRST question of anyone buying a new boat should be 'How is the construction quality'? First and foremost that is the most important issue. I can say that everyone has experienced and will continue to experience a BACKLOG of orders; especially if the boat is as popular as a Montgomery Sailboat. When we had an 8 month backlog and I actually turned down 2 M_17 orders so we could catch our breath. It is impossible to work any harder or any faster. Now that were caught up we can get back to our normal 50-70 days (depending on model and options). Also custom work really adds to the production time. One beautiful M_17 we did we cut the V berth out of and installed an oval bulkhead, custom shelves and inline potti area; with 4 bronze ports she is an amazing boat, but custom work takes time. Expect delays if you go radical on the interior. (I think BONES has a photo of that one...) We are really one of the only builders that entertain changes and options to satisfy the customer. This new Passagemaker M_17 were building (and installing a windvane on tomorrow) is going to be amazing. Other actual boat factories that produce boats for DEALERS (that Tod mentioned) like Precision and Compac are built on Factory Production lines for a large Dealership Network. Dealers who have these boats in stock can supply them right away. But ask for major changes on a future production boat and the wait will be many months. International Marine builds boats faster with more employees but those boats are piss poor sailers (upwind) and many arrive with a list of problems that are pathetic. That's not me. So try not to focus on the TIME factor. We can only go so fast. Hiring additional help is not an option because by the time you train someone the season gets slow and you have to lay them off. I can't do that. I have people that have been with me for 20 years; I keep us small and efficient on purpose. So be surprised if we hit the delivery time; which we do quite often. Be a little disappointed when we miss it; but get over it when you see your boat. Dozens of you know me; you've arrived to see me rig your boat, pack you up and shake your hand. (Heck...Gary Hyde even brought me a bottle of wine..!..Thanks Gary.!) One man bought a new M_15 from us and a new M_17 a year later.! The C word...Cushions. I inspect everyboat before it leaves for home. Scott's boat was leaving for the Bay Area early Friday morning; I was at the boatshop at 10:30 PM Thursday night, sleeping at the picnic table just inside the door, waiting for the cushion guy to arrive with the (late) promised cushions. He drove up, woke me up and I watched as he stacked them on the deck. We left. My man arrived at 3AM and hooked up the boat and slid the cushions inside the boat. I should have loaded them myself then I would have noticed they looked good but didn't have the required 'Squeeze' factor. Let's move on, shall we....? Fair winds Bob Eeg (949) 489-8227 Boat Builder

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For your winter time pleasure...
by Bill Lamica 16 Feb '08

16 Feb '08

Hi All, The following is over a year old. I saved it so I could one day put it on the site. Robbin Rodderig provided excellent info and pics of his blister/gelcoat repair. Brian Gilbert sent photos of his self made battery box install - good idea! Note to Brian & Robbin... Better late than never. These finally got on the site! See What's New for the links... Bill http://www.msogphotosite.com/WhasNew.html I'm taking a few days off! More great information coming next week to the Photo Site!

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Idasailor rudder and some improvements
by Bob Eeg 15 Jan '08

15 Jan '08

This next M_17 going to Utah has the newer Idasailor Rudder. I like how it folds; and it looks stout enough. It arrived yesterday and fit like a glove. Anyone have experience (positive and negative) on the durability and ease of folding this rudder? The blade appears to sit deeper when folded down; and she has a line pull to raise her. Some changes: We're going to all rope halyards with a larger shackle for the main and jib. The M_17 Strawanza, now 'out there somewhere' was all rope and I liked the way we could run lines aft for singlehanding. Also, on the new M_15s were going with a turnbuckle on the forestay. This makes it easier to set the side shrouds only once, and tension the headstay nice and tight. We have done this on several of the 15s and now think the extra cost is worth it. Fair winds......Bob Boat Builder

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CDI furler experience
by Doug Kelch 31 Dec '07

31 Dec '07

Can anyone share the process for using the CDI furler on a trailerable boat? The CDI furler seems to require a turnbuckle as part of the forestay. I have an M15 with the "floppy" rig and no turnbuckle. Does the turnbuckle have to be adjusted every time you trailer? Does the forestay have to come off every time you trailer? If not what do you do with drum end? Thanks Doug Kelch M15 #310 "Seas the Day" --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.

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Re: M_Boats: Single-handed rigging
by JDavies104＠aol.com 30 Dec '07

30 Dec '07

Thanks, Tom and Jane, that's a very comprehensive answer, and confirms my suspicion that there are no silver bullets. Reefing the headsail seems like a workable (and probably economical) approach, but roller reefing sure sounds attractive if the budget will stand it. Switching the jib sheet attachment is a lot easier than actually switching sails. I don't think my jib has reefing cringles, so I guess I'd have to put them in. Is there any way to "jiffy reef" a headsail? Thanks again, Rick ************************************** See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)

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Re: Headsail jiffy reef
by John R. Butler 29 Dec '07

29 Dec '07

Probably not a "jiffy reef," but I have used the reefing cringles in my jib and find the sail sets very nicely with them tied in. I also have a downhaul if I want to douse her in a hurry (I am too crippled to hurry to the foredeck), and also have a 3/16" hard-finish 100% polyester ("accessory cord") rigged to brail her if I just want to dump the wind without reefing her or dropping her. Of course the downhaul and brail can both be handed from my cockpit sanctuary. I mostly single hand, and these work fine for me. No, my e-mail address is not salacious, it just refers to my last sailboat, "The Old Cat." Check her out at <http://www.unicorn- systems.com/theoldcat.htm> ...

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Re: M_Boats: Single-handed rigging
by JDavies104＠aol.com 29 Dec '07

29 Dec '07

Robbin, Thanks to you and all the others who have taken their time to send advice and suggestions to a newbie. Nice to know you're not alone, and that there is a helpful community of Montgomer sailors out there. I didn't know this when I got the boat, but it sure is an added benefit. I have looked at pictures of the mast step organizers, and have to admit it's not clear to me how they mount together with the existing tabernacle. I generally do things the hard way also, so I want to make sure I understand what's involved before I jump in headfirst. I'm also don't consider myself a supreme sailor, so the more I can do from the cockpit the better. Sure would like to go for roller furling, which pretty much eliminates "dancing around on the foredeck", which I'd like to minimize. Have to consult the budget! Thanks again for the help, Rick ************************************** See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)

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Single-handed rigging
by JDavies104＠aol.com 29 Dec '07

29 Dec '07

During the long winter evenings I have been thinking about modifying my M-17 standard rig to lead both halyards and a reefing line to sheetstoppers (main halyard and reefing line to starboard, jib halyard to port) on the cabin near the cockpit, and being new both to the boat and to single-handing would appreciate any advice from old hands who have been there and done that. For example, the cabin dome light is right below the starboard base of the mast and seems to get in the way of mounting turning blocks, and there is very little space around the forward end of the teak trim beside the hatch for mounting cheek blocks to turn the lines toward the cockpit. I have also wondered if there are any tricks to changing headsails when single-handing to minimize the chances of water-testing my Type V PFD. Thanks in advance for any thoughts, Rick ************************************** See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)

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teak toe rail replacement M-15
by Jim Sadler 29 Dec '07

29 Dec '07

Have any of you skippers replaced the teak toe rail on M-15? In my attempt to bring Pelican up to Bristol I am considering attempting this. How difficult can it be? Captain James Albert Sadler skipper sailing vessel Pelican M-15 jimsadler(a)jascopacific.com

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Re: Re: M_Boats: CACTUS Trockentoilette - klappbar für die Reise
by chbenneck＠juno.com 29 Dec '07

29 Dec '07

Hi Gang, First I want to wish you all a joyful sailing year in 2008, with fair breezes - all broad reaches - toward all your destinations, terrestrial and on the great waters. Having lived in Germany for almost 17 years, and having a born German horizontal dictionary at my side for the past 50 years,I speak the language fluently, so if there is ever a language problem on the Montgomery site, give me a tinkle, and I'll help out. Connie ex M15 LEPPO

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