January 2025 - montgomery_boats - mailman.xmission.com

New to email list, looking for a replacement centerboard
by Don Kuehne 09 May '25

09 May '25

Hello, I am the proud owner of a M15 on Spirit Lake, ID. It can get pretty gusty here and my "Penelope" can get rocked on the dock pretty aggressively. The centerboard front pin had worked its way loose (unknown at the time to me) and during a sail last season I notice a bump... then no centerboard. My board is lost in the deep and I am looking for a replacement. Does anyone know of a source or specs for the size, shape etc... To have a new one made? -Don

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Our friend Connie Benneck: From the bathtub to the ocean
by casioqv＠usermail.com 24 Feb '25

24 Feb '25

Hi all, I recently read Conbert "Connie" Benneck's book "Becoming a sailor: From the bathtub to the ocean," and found his writing and general insights on life incredibly good, hilarious, and inspiring. I highly recommend it as a generally excellent book, even for people with no interest in sailing- the caliber of writing and ideas is way above your typical sailing adventure book. He was instrumental in inspiring me to find and fix up my first M boat- a Montgomery 15, and I really appreciate his help and wisdom over the years, as well as articles and essays he wrote for Small Craft Advisor and elsewhere. One thing I was quite shocked to find in his book was clear accounts of events that happened to him personally, that he was old enough to remember clearly, in the mid 1920s, fully a century ago. Surely that would make him one of the oldest people on the planet? And indeed, googling his name, I found an article in the Wall Street Journal - from several years ago no less- interviewing him as indeed, one of the oldest living people. I have tried to contact him to tell him how much I loved his book, but was unsuccessful. I have not been able to reach him since October 2023. In trying to reach him, I discovered a legal filing for PROBATE OF WILL in his name and county of residence, as of March of 2024. It is my belief that our friend Connie has passed on. If anyone has any information that I am wrong, please speak up now and correct me. In any case Connie, I wish you fair winds, and thank you for all of the advice, inspiration, and help over the years. You have helped two new generations get into and enjoy sailing in my family alone. Sincerely, Tyler Backman Sage 17 #0 Goshawk

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Connie's books
by Mark Dvorscak 07 Jan '25

07 Jan '25

It looks like you may still be able to buy the Kindle version of Connie's books from the Amazon Kindle book store. Worth a check anyway if you don't mind reading an electronic version. Mark Dvorscak M23 Faith

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I'm memory of dear Connie
by Mark Dvorscak 05 Jan '25

05 Jan '25

In memory of Connie. A post of his from 2019: At your next winter gathering in warm and sunny climes, remember, when hoisting a beer with other Montgomery sailors, to sing the Wrinkle Boat Song. New members probably don't know that we have a song to sing about our boats So for the newer members, here is the text of the song. It is sung to the music of "Oh Tannenbaum, Oh Tannenbaum" (Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree). Song text: Oh Wrinkle Boat Oh Wrinkle Boat, How glad I am that we’re afloat You take me out to mermaid-land And bring me back all nice and tan Oh Wrinkle Boat, Oh Wrinkle Boat How glad I am when we’re afloat. Oh Wrinkle Boat Oh Wrinkle Boat How happy we are when we’re afloat You rock me gently to and fro The World’s in order; life is slow Oh Wrinkle Boat Oh Wrinkle Boat How happy we are when we’re afloat Oh Wrinkle Boat Oh Wrinkle Boat How happy we are when we’re afloat With lee-rail under and getting wet Or greeting porpoises we’ve just met Oh, Wrinkle Boat Oh Wrinkle Boat How happy we are when we’re afloat Oh Wrinkle Boat Oh Wrinkle Boat How happy I am when I’m afloat The water’s blue, we drift along And sing a verse of this foolish song Oh Wrinkle Boat Oh Wrinkle Boat How nice it is to be afloat. Happy sailing, tell your stories, and make an old man happy. Connie M-15 LEPPO #400

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Re: Our friend Connie Benneck: From the bathtub to the ocean
by bownez＠juno.com 04 Jan '25

04 Jan '25

Tyler, Thank you for that bit of info regarding Connie. Connie and I had many Email conversations about sailing and our M boats. His sailing stories are priceless, what a wonderful life on the water he experienced. He went full circle from sailing large boats in Europe to trailer sailing his M15, always with his wife (the Admiral) by his side. RIP Connie, you made an impression on me. Michael "Bones" Bowden M-boat nut for 20 years

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