This might bore some, but you can always print it out and use it to wallpaper the bathroom. I have some experience in towing long, narrow boats; our canoe/kayak racing club used to hold a big race at lake Tahoe, which is usually fairly calm but every few years would kick up during the race an a few would have to be rescued. We always had a couple of chase boats on the job, and when we spotted a capsized canoe (mostly USCA marathon canoes, which are narrow, especially in the ends), we would take the paddler aboard, dump the water out of the canoe, and tow it in. The key to towing it in waves was to take care in the length of the painter, and of course the speed, which would normally be just sub-planing. The canoe, with no paddler would be very light (sub 30 lbs) and was very buoyant. I think a 15' sailing canoe, which is pretty stable compared to a racing canoe, would not be a problem behind a sailboat unless it was really rough. I've towed dinghies quite a few times behind an M-17, both from Newport Beach to Catalina and in Mexico. Again, one of the keys is the length of the painter. The 5-8 and 6-8 prams were noticably better than the larger stem dingies, and with both it was important to attach the tow line as low as possible at the bow of the dinghy. On the nearly 4K dinghies we made, we put the painter hole as low as we could. With the M-15, if Wifie was with me, I would nose up to the beach and let her out, then back off a bit and anchor. No need for a dinghy in those waters. I'd swim in; the water in the Gulf most of the year is cow-pee warm. I usually went with a group of boats from Tucson, and normally we would go to the beach only for a fishfeed , or for some hiking during the day. I once hiked across Tiberon isl from Las Cruses Bay to Dog Bay, hoping the Seri Indians would not catch and eat me. What a stud! Once, when I took a 15, we used the 15 for the shore boat and we had at one time 12 people aboard. We had to plug up the cockpit drain to keep from flooding the cockpit (obviously, in order to figure that one out we were totally sober). A good time was had by all. Obviously. -----Original Message----- From: Gary Oberbeck via montgomery_boats Sent: Friday, November 30, 2018 3:08 PM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: M_Boats: Tender Connie I agree on the aspect of the dinghy availability and on the emergency and everyday use of an inflatable - PIA ! ' just a minute while I pump 400+ liters into this big condom ----errrr where's the dam* pump!?!?!' The issue on the M-15 is of course storage or a small boat towing any size dinghy, Larry Yake has used a rigid kayak and others seem to have good experience with inflatables. I am lucky and sail a M-17 with a M 7-11 (getting refurbbed for the grandkids) if and when I need a dinghy - pretty good rowing boat, stable, good sailer and perfect for teaching the young ones. The only inflatable I have ever had fun with was a Zodiac Grand Raid 15+ foot with a tiller steer 40hp Evinrude - my father saw them at a trade show and took on the line - got the GR for himself as a demo and we kept it inflated on a custom trailer indoors - 2nd fastest acceleration I have ever experienced on water! We used to chase the blown V8 flat bottoms around and absolutely humble them with our 'machinery grey weiner boat' ! The bikini clad ladies loved it! One day I'll tell you how I got THE perfect set of oars for the 7-11 - great story! 7' Shaw & Tenney's in spruce. Keep your helpful comments and experiences coming to the list - we all look forward to them! Take Care, Have fUn, Go sailing! GO -----Original Message----- From: Conbert Benneck <chbenneck@gmail.com> To: Gary Oberbeck via montgomery_boats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Fri, Nov 30, 2018 1:42 pm Subject: Re: M_Boats: Tender Hi Gary, I am totally against anything that is inflatable - or that has to be inflated first before it can be used in a case of emergency. My experience: We were going from Rotterdam to Paris via inland waterways. Our Norwegian power boat was brand new. In the Dutch canal we were in, with a bow to stern stream of loaded barges going in both directions our boat suddenly stopped moving and ended up crosswise in the canal blocking traffic in both directions. Our diesel engine was running but the propeller wasn't turning. Now what.....? I jumped into my hard 9' Dutch dinghy, tied a painter to the motor boat got out the dinghy's oars and rowed like mad to get to the side of the canal and let traffic flow again. For my prompt action in getting the commercial traffic moving , I received some friendly toots from the barge Captains that had seen what had happened. I called the SABB engine dealer in Rotterdam and explained the problem. An hour later he was there; toolbox in hand; inspected the engine and found that a set screw had loosened disconnecting the propeller shaft from the engine. After tightening the set screw, and safety-wiring it in place, we continued on our trip with nary a problem during the time we owned the boat. In such a situation do you really want to inflate your dinghy before it can be used? I don't. I want a hard dinghy that is instantly usable if I loose something overboard; or to row out a second anchor at 2 AM when it is blowing 20 knots. Connie On 11/30/2018 1:19 PM, Gary Oberbeck via montgomery_boats wrote:
I would look for a clean used M-5-8* . Had one we used way back in the day - oars and a 2 horse -(2 hp not my idea). You are cruising right?? {;>) *titanium hens teeth are about as plentiful! Some boats use inflatable kayaks with good reports. Take Care, Have fUn, Go Sailing! Come on down to Lake Pleasant in Feb. - there is a fleet of 15's scheduled to show up!GO
-----Original Message----- From: Rusty Knorr via montgomery_boats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> To: montgomery_boats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Thu, Nov 29, 2018 7:17 pm Subject: M_Boats: Tender
Just curious what the M-15 sailors here are using for a tender. In Puget Sound your really need one because anchorages are rugged and rocky and beaching is a challenge or impossible. Please share your thoughts, experiences, opinions, etc. M-17’s need not apply! (Unless you also have an M-15. 😜)
Rusty
www.rustyknorr.weebly.com