I think I told this story once - but it is a good one for trailer sailor folks who are wondering if they can really set up and get underway fairly easy. In '90 we bought an M-17. I installed keel guides on the trailer; uprights on the trailer. We'd trailer from Sacramento to Sausalito (where we'd spend the w/e in Clipper Yacht harbor). From the time we'd park at the top of the ramp, set up, and be leaving the dock, we'd most often do it in 13 to 15 minutes - without exception! The uppers and lowers, back stay were left attached to the boat. I'd remove the bungees from the shrouds and stays, I'd slide the mast back off of an upright, which had a roller on the top that I had built for the trailer, back along an upright (mast up)in the back of the boat, slide a bolt thorough at the tabernacle, lift the mast, my wife would pin the headstay at the bow, and we'd attach the rudder, attach the handling lines, and back up and put it in the water! I'd hose off the trailer when we got back that day (because we were staying over the weekend). That process almost always took us less than 15 minutes. The retrieval was just the reverse of that process. Having the trailer guides on the trailer was the answer. By the time I had finished backing the trailer into the water (had to go in far because of the ramp slope) my wife would have pulled the boat forward and it would just glide onto the trailer until the bow stopped at the "bow stop" I build for the front upright on the trailer (i.e., the boat would only go onto the trailer the right way); I'd reach over the bow, wrap a line around the upright and back to the boat, and pull out of the water! The mast down process was just the opposite of putting it up-probably even faster! We did use Quicklock pins for the headstay (I know, some of you would never do that - but the statistics ok their use so far as I am concerned!) and we used Quicklock pins (see http://bosunsupplies.com/products2.cfm?product=QRPinSuncor) for the main to the traveler and Quicklock pins to the boom. It may have taken us 3 minutes longer than someone launching their big motor boat. They were always amazed - especially at the retrieval process! I just bought another M17 and am in the process of preparing it for this kind of process - plus this time I will be using a hoist 95% of the time --- unless I have to trailer. (and I just ordered a power in/power out electric winch with a remote so I can raise/lower the mast even easier this go-round!)(see http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11107280&search=winch&Sp=S& Mo=6&cm_re=1-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P _SignDesc1&N=0&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=All&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&N e=4000000&D=winch&Ntt=winch&No=2&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1 We trailer launched our Beneteau 235 the same way (28' mast); a Merit 25, and others. The secret is to have as much ready to go before you even get to the launch ramp; have everything else organized, and it should go smoothly! If I can answer any questions, let me know! Jay -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+jaytownley=alamedanet.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+jaytownley=alamedanet.net@mailman.xmission. com] On Behalf Of cdfusselman@frontiernet.net Sent: Saturday, November 11, 2006 1:11 AM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: SET UP TIME FOR YOUR M 15 You just trailered your M 15 to the lake and you got out of your vehicle.. From this point how long does it take to rig your M15 prior to backing it down the ramp? You go sailing great time great boat.. Now you are off the water the boat is back on the trailer dripping wet.. how long to ready the boat to trailer home? Thank you for your input! Chris Sacramento, CA _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats