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Re: M_Boats: M-17 questions round 2 - reefing setups
by John Schinnerer 06 Jul '19

06 Jul '19

On 7/5/19 3:59 AM, Gerry Lempicki via montgomery_boats wrote: > John, you mentioned cheek blocks and clamcleats on starboard side of your boom for clew reefing; are there some form of eye straps used as anchor points on the port side? Yep, exactly. Just ordinary eye straps, something like the small one of these two is fine: https://www.duckworks.com/product-p/rl-311-parent.htm > And can you describe how your outhaul is configured? At the rear of my boom is a what I think is called a terminal eye strap. For now I put a D shackle through it, ran the outhaul line through it, and then ran it forward to the port side clamcleat shown in my earlier photo (you mentioned it was possibly for a topping lift). It seems to work fine temporarily, but should I have some block in use there? That will get you sailing, but better to have it on starboard side (so you can use the topping lift cleat for topping lift, and, because generally we want reefing controls on starboard side, because generally we reef when hove to on starboard tack, because then technically your boat has certain rights of way that you wouldn't have on port tack, just in case...) See attached pics of my boom...not necessarily in order of description below... One shows detail of outhaul - a very small block attached with small shackle to the strap with eye at aft end of boom like yours (sometimes called a 'spin strap', no idea why). Outhaul goes through that block, down across one side of a cheek block to redirect it, and then forward to a clamcleat with fairlead. One pic shows aft end with outhaul, cheek blocks for outhaul and first reef. Another shows the three clamcleats - lower one for outhaul, upper two for 1st and 2nd reef respectively (no line in place for 2nd reef in pics). The cleats are positioned for easy working from forward part of cockpit, and also so the excess line when reefed hangs into the companionway rather than being underfoot in the cockpit. Another shows most of the boom from aft end to clamcleats, so you can see the whole setup. Cheek block forward of the other two is for 2nd reef line. And one pic shows the other (port) side of the boom, with little cheek block for topping lift and eye strap for termination of 1st reef line. If you just tie the line to the clew reefing grommet and then down through the block you don't need that of course. It's only needed for running the line 2:1 from port side thru grommet to block on starboard side. The way my outhaul is rigged - sliding loop around boom then thru grommet to outhaul block - is a nifty trick that functions as both outhaul and clew strap at the same time and is mostly self-adjusting (a clew strap is otherwise as separate line or webbing to hold the clew close to the boom). The Swiss cheese effect here and there on my boom is merely a result of moving and/or replacing most all the hardware from the previously installed setup. HTH, John -- John Schinnerer - M.A., Whole Systems Design -------------------------------------------- - Eco-Living - Whole Systems Design Services People - Place - Learning - Integration john(a)eco-living.net - 510.982.1334 http://eco-living.net http://sociocracyconsulting.com

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Tow weight issues
by brad kurlancheek 06 Jul '19

06 Jul '19

I'm debating whether there'd be a problem towing my Montgomery 15 about 75 miles down uneventful highway, with a Nissan Rogue to a marine slip I've reserved. The Rogue's tow capacity is about 1102 lbs. I figure my M15 weighs about 775 to 800 lbs incl mast and rigging. Gear (in car) will be about 100 lbs, and the trailer weighs 360 lbs. So total boat + trailer weight would be 1160 lb., surpassing tow capacity by 58 lbs. I'm 145 lbs and gear in car will be no more than 100 lbs. I used to drive a truck with 4000 lbs capacity so never had to worry about this. So now I'm wondering if a 75 mile drive @ 50 to 100 lbs over tow capacity is just a really dumb idea, or something that I shouldn't worry about, since it's basically no more than a one time trip every 6 months. Thanks

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What is my headsail?
by Gerry Lempicki 06 Jul '19

06 Jul '19

We've come to question what this headsail is; we've found no markings on it, but it does not go all the way up to the masthead. It also goes a bit behind the mast but not a lot. Do you have any thoughts? I saw mention somewhere that many M17s are sailed with 150 genoas; would that be recommended for inland fresh water with lighter wind? Our mainsail looks fairly new and has a PS logo on it;. Any thoughts on the manufacturer? Thank you! -Gerry

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M-17 questions round 2
by Gerry Lempicki 05 Jul '19

05 Jul '19

Now for a couple questions regarding boom hardware. I'll attach a few photos. When I got the boat, there was this short line tied at the rear of the boom. I've been using it to support the boom when the sail is not up (by tying it to the ring at the split in the backstay). Is this same line used to tension the sail foot by pulling it back? Or maybe some of the hardware on the boom is used. I'll attach as few photos of the boom showing both sides. Can anyone tell me what the hardware is for? Thanks very much for any input! -Gerry

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Kindle and Paperback books
by Conbert Benneck 05 Jul '19

05 Jul '19

Dear M-sailors I hope you are all having a wonderful time sailing your Montgomery 15's and 17's this summer and are enjoying all the new voyages you are undertaking, and all the quiet coves you discover. The mere thought of that makes me jealous, but having been there and done that, I can at least call up fond memories of gently gurgling M-15 bow waves on a broad reach across Lake Champlain, or exploring the Florida Keys with porpoises cavorting alongside your boat, the occasional manatee encounter, while pelicans dive bomb for fish. In late fall, when sailing season comes to an end, and your M boats have been put away, my sailing books can perhaps provide you with a glimpse of different types of sailing throughout Europe, and the US East coast. It will expand your horizon with the problems we encountered, and had to solve. Different sailing problems, from languages that change as you cross boarders; to hand operating locks in French canals; or Swedish nautical charts that are accurate in official waterways, but anywhere else in the vast Swedish archipelago it is all "local" knowledge, you mark submerged rocks with your anti-fouling paint to keep the Russians guessing, and making it impossible for them to find their way to the Swedish Restricted area in their midget submarines. There are vastly different weather conditions on the English Channel compared to the Adriatic or the Med. Each area has their own special weather problems. Sailor beware....! Open a beer, sit back and let us take you along on our various trips, along with tips on how to avoid the traps that MURPHY may surprise you with during your travels. A major one being anchoring; which is an art that has to be learned by having lots of experience. My four Sailing Adventure books are now available at AMAZON as Paperback books, or as an electronic download on Kindle. Book 1 starts in the bath tub and takes you to the ocean Book 2 tells about sailing in Europe; buying new and different boats because of company requested moves; Murphy strikes again! How to evaluate a sailboat that is a good design vs. a party barge that never leaves the marina. (30 foot boat sleeps 6! Where do you stow their gear? Can 6 sit at the cabin table? Do you have good access to the engine if you have an engine problem? What are the sailing characteristics?) Sailing in Sweden, down the English Channel; crossing the Adriatic and exploring Yugoslavian islands; and almost sailing back to the USA in 1974. Book 3 talks about sailing New England waters; fog sailing; harbors that are not shown on Nautical Charts, but are sailor's knowledge passed on from sailor to sailor; a delivery trip from Rochester, NY to Staten Island, NY with a boat our daughter's boyfriend had bought (with lot's of problems), and finally getting fed up with the antics of motorboat drivers, and deciding it's time for a change..... Book 4 then discusses alternative ways to go sailing to find peace and quiet on the water again. This is about trailer sailing; trailer problems; ramp difficulties and solutions; and the joys of finding almost endless new areas to explore by going to windward at 70 MPH on an Interstate highway for a few hours. Fair winds to all, and may your anchors never drag, Connie

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Second reef
by Jon Barber 02 Jul '19

02 Jul '19

Yes, the second reef does indeed make a small triangle. Most of the boats I sail with lower their jibs when it gets sporting, thus losing their upwind ability and ultimately lowering their main too and begin motoring; having a second reef allows me to continue under sail at higher wind speed. I have double reefed with my big jib too. The boat remains balanced.

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Swim Ladder
by Willy Gorrissen 01 Jul '19

01 Jul '19

The strap/buckle holding my swim ladder to the inside of the cockpit has broken. Does anyone know where to get a replacement? Thanks, Willy Gorrissen Lula M 15, 606 Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>

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ladder
by carlos navarro 30 Jun '19

30 Jun '19

Willy if you post a picture of your strap, i believe i have one for you.

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Solar charge controllers
by John Schinnerer 29 Jun '19

29 Jun '19

On 6/29/19 6:32 AM, Ian Black wrote: > Great idea John! In saw your business at the bottom of your email. Any suggestions on best solar charging for your battery? Yep - for small systems like we'd have on our small boats, this charge controller (assuming lead-acid chemistry, not lithium): http://www.flexcharge.com/pv7d%20features.htm FlexCharge is a niche company, around for many decades, actually designed and made in USA. Their circuit design and charging method is patented, different than any others. Much better for your battery, more charge with less stress on battery and way less power used by the controller. If you understand battery chemistry you can read about it on the web site. Units are all potted/sealed, marine and harsh environment ready. I used their NCHC and NC25A controllers on various client systems, and my own home system, when I lived in Hawai'i and did off-grid solar system work. I installed this PV7D unit on a few sailboats and a hippie-bus-home system. My source was John Drake, AKA "Solarseller," looks like he's still in bizness, here's the page with the controller on his rather primitive web site: http://solarseller.com/seelye_ses_flexcharge_charge_controllers_controller.… This guy is old school. Answers his own phone, or if someone else answers and you have questions you end up talking to him. Runs a small biz selling specialty/niche solar, off-grid, related parts & pieces. Best prices I found for FlexCharge products. cheers, John > Ian Black > Seaweeble M-17 > Judi B. M-15 > > Sent from my iPad > >> On Jun 28, 2019, at 1:25 PM, John Schinnerer <john(a)eco-living.net> wrote: >> >> Hi all, >> >> Someone asked me about this off-list and I was just finishing up the fabrication...a mast gate for my M17. My mast has the cut-away (milled out) mast gate, which makes a big opening, both sides of track. >> >> So I made a fixed plate for port side, and a removable plate for starboard (arbitrary, except that I normally am on starboard side of mast when attaching boom and/or mainsail, and I'd heave to on starboard tack if I had to mess with the gate for any reason). They're basically identical, except for the thumbscrews on the removable side. >> >> Here's a few pix (not necessarily in order as attached) that show the gate pieces ready to install, the fixed side installed, and both sides installed. >> >> Material is salvaged/reused 1/8" aluminum plate. 10-32 for the big screws (gate to mast), 6-32 for the small ones (filler piece to attachment piece). >> >> cheers, >> John >> >> >> -- >> John Schinnerer - M.A., Whole Systems Design >> -------------------------------------------- >> - Eco-Living - >> Whole Systems Design Services >> People - Place - Learning - Integration >> john(a)eco-living.net - 510.982.1334 >> http://eco-living.net >> http://sociocracyconsulting.com >> <P6170044.jpeg> >> <P6180050.jpeg> >> <P6170043.jpeg> >> <P6170038.jpeg> >> <P6180052.jpeg> -- John Schinnerer - M.A., Whole Systems Design -------------------------------------------- - Eco-Living - Whole Systems Design Services People - Place - Learning - Integration john(a)eco-living.net - 510.982.1334 http://eco-living.net http://sociocracyconsulting.com

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mast gate
by carlos navarro 29 Jun '19

29 Jun '19

John well thought out, and well done. have fun

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