September 2009 - 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

4 3

Re: M_Boats: racing my M23
by Larry E Yake 02 Apr '11

02 Apr '11

>So when is the next San Juan trip? Annual? Bi-annual? >Jeff Probably semi-annual. Larry

7 6

M15 for sale in Nor Cal on Craigslist
by George Morrison 26 Apr '10

26 Apr '10

I already own a M15, so I can't use another. But this sure sounds like a good deal/quick sale! Plus it's very rare to see any M-Boats for sale! http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/boa/1042037932.html George "M" M15 319 San Jose, CA

9 8

Re: M_Boats: Fwd: research
by bownez＠juno.com 29 Oct '09

29 Oct '09

My Dear Jerry, I have been following this wonderful discussion regarding how to best spend your valuable time designing another M-Boat. All the suggestions are very good, but as we all know, sailboats are a compromise. Having sailed a 15, 17, and a 23, all have been pleasing. If I could add one feature to my older 1976 M17, it would be the wet locker. If I could suggest one improvement for the M23, it would be a more robust gooseneck. Raising the mast using the bridal jig distorts and twists the gooseneck rather badly. Mine is hanging in there, Theo had to replace his. I'm sure whatever you design, it will be a sweetheart of a looker and sailer. You have the touch. Later, Bones ____________________________________________________________ Click here to find the right business program for you and take your career to the next level. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/BLSrjpTESUSrVjCI7Wqa7cvYXOf2Zj7…

10 14

Re: M_Boats: Montys Apostle Islands Cruise was fun!
by bownez＠juno.com 05 Oct '09

05 Oct '09

Hello Gordon and Chad, Well done men! Looks like you had a great adventure. Two sailing trips on Superior this season for you Gordon, good for you. Your motor killing using the external tank may be a small air leak somewhere in the fuel line or connectors. I had a similar problem with my Honda on the M23. The addition of a small "O" ring at the motor fuel inlet end solved the problem. Chad, still have your M17? Gordon's Sapphire is used to sailing with a yellow hulled M17! Later, Bones in Mpls ____________________________________________________________ Wanna lose weight? Weight Loss Programs that work. Click here. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/BLSrjpTFoYdCS3n8h7UkLtfPdEccpWg…

3 2

Mast Base
by James Poulakis 01 Oct '09

01 Oct '09

For those following the issue of raising / lowering the mast with the shrouds tensioned on late model M17s; I've discovered that there are bolt-heads that stand proud off the mast-step plate that keep the mast from being raised. Once the "cross-plate" in the mast section hits them everything comes to a screeching halt. My plan is to cut the cross-plate to clear the bolt heads, then round off the aft edge of the mast base a little. Gary H. and Joe M have also cut away a bit of their mast base with no ill effects so I shall forge ahead. Jim M17 "Spirit" (2008 model)

2 2

Montys Apostle Islands Cruise was fun!
by Gordon Gilbert 30 Sep '09

30 Sep '09

Our second annual Montys Apostle Islands Cruise last week was another great success! An M-17, an M-15 and a Compac 16 joined to enjoy great weather, beautiful scenery and wonderful sailing conditions for much of the time. Thanks to Chad Parrish and Nate Donnay for participating! Here's a link to a slideshow of a few highlights: http://picasaweb.google.com/yakker9/2009MontysApostleIslandsCruise#slidesho… Looking forward to doing it again next year! Gordon Gilbert M-17 "Sapphire" Milwaukee

3 2

mystery screws
by Thomas Jenkins 29 Sep '09

29 Sep '09

Yo, The mast on my 2004 M17 has two official-looking machine screw heads across from the dreaded slot a couple of feet up the mast, but they don't fasten anything to the outside. Anyone know if they are holding something important inside, such as a clip to hold the electrical cables? I can't figure how anything could be fastened that far up the tube, but there they are. I have a similar mystery set on the boom a few inches from the gooseneck, and another set on the mast. The temptation is to take them all out and see what falls off, but that could have unintended consequences of the negative sort. Thanks a bunch, Tom Jenkins Scintilla

3 5

Re: M_Boats: mystery screws
by SALGLESSER＠aol.com 26 Sep '09

26 Sep '09

a gun barrel light and a dentist mirror, or even a bright flashlight and a small mirror on a stick like the kind in auto parts stores. sal In a message dated 9/26/2009 3:24:20 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time, tjenk(a)gte.net writes: Yo, The mast on my 2004 M17 has two official-looking machine screw heads across from the dreaded slot a couple of feet up the mast, but they don't fasten anything to the outside. Anyone know if they are holding something important inside, such as a clip to hold the electrical cables? I can't figure how anything could be fastened that far up the tube, but there they are. I have a similar mystery set on the boom a few inches from the gooseneck, and another set on the mast. The temptation is to take them all out and see what falls off, but that could have unintended consequences of the negative sort. Thanks a bunch, Tom Jenkins Scintilla _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats Remember, there is no privacy on the Internet!

1 0

Mast gates
by SALGLESSER＠aol.com 25 Sep '09

25 Sep '09

John Butler asked me to post this for him as he's traveling. I tried to post his note before, but it didn't go through for some reason. I thought to try again. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- My first 15 "Joy" had the cutout slot, so having more time than money, and no web yet, I just bought some aluminum angle iron and cut out pieces that fit both over the cutout and screwed them to the mast either side of the slot. No more slot, and slugs and boom slide moved freely through the slot and did not fall out. My last 15 (now Sal and Gail Glesser's "JustUs") had the bent-open slot, so judicious blows with a light hammer, and with a stout backing inside the slot, allowed the bent sections to be "hammered" back into the original position. For a new slot where none existed, waterpump pliers with an appropriate shield over the outer jaw would allow gradual bending out of the slot edge until a new opening was completed. Slow and easy does it very neatly. One eighth inch S/S cotter keys slipped through appropriate holes either side of the slot provided for a boom stopper at the correct height for a boom tent, and a stop just above the new new slot for a low boom position for the "first reef." Quicker than putting in a first reef in the canvas, and very effective. Slack off the topping lift first, of course. Now you have a good reef, and two more available. I have sailed mine in 20-plus knot winds with "all three" reefs in, and the jib reefed, too, of course. Amazing how well she sails like that, and better balanced than all canvas up. If this isn't clearer than mud, ask more Qs. -- John R. Butler theoldcat(a)cox.net

2 1