May 2013 - montgomery_boats - mailman.xmission.com

Little Breeze M15
by Michael Mann 18 Nov '15

18 Nov '15

Hi, My name is Michael Mann and in 1982, I sailed the Montgomery 15, Little Breeze from CA to Hawaii. I see on the web site that she has been rescued by new owners in Hawaii and I would love to correspond with them. I am currently sailing on a container ship headed for Honolulu and would welcome the chance to make contact. Thanks for any info. Michael Mann

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replacement windows
by Bonnie Kostka 15 Aug '13

15 Aug '13

A while back someone mentioned where to buy replacement widows, Did anyone buy them & where did they buy them? Bonnie M15

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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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Re: M_Boats: Hi
by SALGLESSER＠aol.com 07 Jul '13

07 Jul '13

Hi Gordon, Louis, In my "day job" we began to export in 1979. We began to import in 1981. With more than 30 years of experience in this area and more than 1,000,000 miles traveling to distant lands, I believe my understanding is somewhat broad with regards to the question. There is truth to what Gordon says, and there is also truth to what Louis says. The question is quite complex, certainly more than can be discussed on this board (although I am willing to share info and experience if anyone is interested). The valuation of currency is critical to understanding. Long term, it is important to balance import and export as it is important to help support US companies. At Sage Marine, we are offering sails from both Harry Pattison and Judy B., whom have demonstrated quality and commitment. (We will also work with any sail-maker of your choice). Please pardon the shameless plug. Hi Bones, Quality is more a demonstration of longevity than performance, and longevity is difficult to determine in the short term. sal In a message dated 8/24/2011 8:54:54 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time, gordon(a)financialwriting.net writes: Apology accepted, Louis. You're right in that 2/3rds of the U.S. gross domestic product is driven by the consumer sector -- the goods and services purchased by all of us (excluding businesses and the government). That's important for our nation's well being, and especially for small businesses. All competitors in the global economy -- including many "mom-and-pop outfits" in the United States -- work hard to sell to foreign buyers. At the same time, many savvy consumers seek out the world's best products and services for the lowest price -- which makes sense. In a way, this potentially threatening "global economy" can benefit us all -- as consumers and businesses. I don't think boat sails or any other products are necessarily inferior -- or "low-ball," as you said -- just because they are made abroad. What's more, my recommending a Chinese sailmaker to someone doesn't mean I'm against buying "American." In fact, feel free to call Harry Pattison at Elliott-Pattison Sailmakers, a top-notch sailmaker in the United State of California who knows Montgomery boats well, and ask him how many sails Gordon Gilbert has purchased from him. You might be surprised at what an "equal opportunity" buyer I am. I'm just a hard-working guy who, like anyone else, wants to get the most for his money. Enjoy the rest of your sailing season! Gordon Still a Proud U.S. Air Force Veteran P.S. Frankly, I don't think being disrespectful or discourteous to someone in an e-mail -- especially someone you don't know -- is a good way to GET THEIR ATTENTION. On Aug 24, 2011, at 5:28 PM, Louis Remmers wrote: > Gordon: I do apologize if my e mail seemed disrespectful, but I DID get your attention. Although we all know the current economic situation is global, very few of us have any influence in foreign economics. We do however have a huge impact in the economy of the USA. If we all purchase in country it WILL make a difference. I would like to recommend Douglas Fowler sail maker from New York. Chris Rooke in Memphis is also able to make excellent sails at a very good price. If you look around you will find MANY mom and pop outfits that we need to help us all float our boats so to speak. Once again accept my apologies for rocking your boat. Louis Remmers. > > --- On Tue, 8/23/11, Andrei Caldararu <andreic(a)math.wisc.edu> wrote: > > > From: Andrei Caldararu <andreic(a)math.wisc.edu> > Subject: M_Boats: Hi > To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Date: Tuesday, August 23, 2011, 12:34 PM > > > Dear Gordon, > > First, I hope your health is at least as good as it can be under the circumstances. How are you feeling? Have you been able to do some sailing in MN? > > I wanted to ask you a quick question. I remembered that at some point you mentioned an outfit in China which sold you sails for the Monty 17 at a very good price. Were you happy with the quality? What was the name/web address of the place? I am thinking of getting a new mainsail, and perhaps a new sail for a new boat I got (a Windrider 16, single person trimaran). > > Best wishes of health and hope, and I hope to hear from you soon. > > Andrei. > _______________________________________________ > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats > > When posting, remember that there is no privacy on the Internet! > _______________________________________________ > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats > > When posting, remember that there is no privacy on the Internet! _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats When posting, remember that there is no privacy on the Internet!

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M15 Centerboard
by George Iemmolo 01 Jun '13

01 Jun '13

I finally splashed the boat last Thursday. I have not been able to get my CB to go down its full designed length of 15". In addition the cockpit does not drain after a rain. I either need to pump it out manually or raise and lower the CB line as far as it will go and the water pumps out thru the CB line/Drain hole. I plan on taking a wire clothes hanger that I have folded in half as a prod to see if anything is lodged in the hole. ANY WORDS OF WISDOM ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED. George M15 Merry Helen #602 'We Can Not Control the Wind But We Can Adjust our Sails'

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Ida rudder
by Thomas Buzzi 30 May '13

30 May '13

Mr. Montgomery, My Montgomery 17 was manufactured in 1978. I now have a chance to install an Ida sailor rudder on it from a 2005 Montgomery 17. That setup uses three pintles whereas my older stock rudder model uses only two. Can a third be added so this setup will work on my boat or is there some other consideration that needs tending to? You mentioned you have a stock of old parts. Do you have a set of the old grugeon/pintle (s) available? Regards, Tom B

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tiller pilots.
by Jeff 29 May '13

29 May '13

Any thoughts on a good tiller pilot for my M23? Jeff

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185 Miles at Lake Powell in Montgomery 15
by David Grah 29 May '13

29 May '13

We had a great time last week running around Lake Powell in our Montgomery 15 along with my brother in his Santana 2023C. The GPS track shows we covered about 185 miles in 7 days. We saw a good portion of the huge lake but there is much more of it to see. What a spectacular place! We put in at Antelope Point near Page and got as far as the upper end of the Escalante River Arm of the Lake including a lot of side trips up canyons along the way, some barely wide enough to fit the boats through or overhangs high enough to clear the masts. It was mostly motoring but we got in a fair amount of sailing - I'd guess 1/4 to 1/3 the time. Winds ranged from (mostly) almost calm to pretty much howling. I was trying out my new-to-me Honda 2 outboard and turned around the howling day because I couldn't keep it headed into the wind with the motor wide open. That day there was blowing sand on land and blowing spray on the water. Once we got past Padre Bay, traffic really thinned out and most of the time we almost had the lake to ourselves. We took lots of photos that I will try to share here somehow when I have a chance and if anyone is interested. A selection are on my Facebook page. I had hoped to try a bunch of kite photography of the boats sailing, but only got this one video of our last camp: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq5fQRHDhLQ. David Grah Bishop California

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tow vehicle
by SCPD103＠aol.com 22 May '13

22 May '13

I'M PUTTING A TOW HITCH ON MY 2000 , 4 CYLINDER, 2.4 CARAVAN TO TOW MY M15. ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL, SHOULD BE NO PROBLEM. ANYBODY TOWING WITH SOMETHING SIMILAR? JUST WONDERING IF MY CAR WOULD BE ABLE TO TOW THE BOAT WITHOUT A PROBLEM.. ALSO W AS WONDERING ABOUT STOPPING CAPABILITY. SORRY FOR ALL THE QUESTIONS, BUT THIS IS ALL NEW TO ME. THANKS, TONY V.

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Re: M_Boats: one additional reason I drop it aft.
by Nebwest2＠aol.com 21 May '13

21 May '13

I guess the other thing I like about dropping aft and not using the boom for gin pole is that I leave the mainsail on the boom , flaked, contained within the sailcover. When I remove the sail I unzip the sailcover zipper at the front of the mast, pull the pivot pin on the gooseneck, lower the front of the boom allowing all the slugs to drop out of the gate...and then just re-zip the sail cover around the front of the sail (now behind the mast. The aft end of the boom is still supported by the topping lift so it does not fall. I then gently lower the tack end to the deck, and then go release the topping lift from the tang on the boom....and slide the whole sail all secured within the cover and neatly flaked, into the cabin. Setting back up is just a matter of feeding the slugs into the mast when you drop the gooseneck in and the sail is rigged, including the outhaul purchase and aft reefing lines which are left in place. The sail stays neatly furled within the cover, on the boom. The result is no folds in the sail and it is well trained to fall into the proper flakes when it is lowered each time. I find that much easier than trying to find a place to lay the sail out somewhere and fold it up without getting it dirty.

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