On 28-Feb-13 11:30 AM, stevetrapp wrote: The lead line on my M15 was about 25 feet long with a few knots added for quick depth reference; 5 feet, 10 feet, 15 feet... As weight at the bottom end I just used a big shackle that I had lying around. It did the job very nicely when needed (very seldom, but it was good to have available) On FUN TOO, sailing in much deeper waters, I had a real lead line (25 meters long) with a heavy lead weight - hollowed on the bottom - for some tallow. The tallow picked up a bottom sample that gave you an indication of the composition of the bottom. This information is needed for successful anchoring in strange places. With the excessively deep draft of an M15, a boat hook held over the side should be all you really need if the water isn't clear. Connie PS. I also belong to the old slide rule users generation, and I always had a nice plastic log/log/deci trig slide rule on board FUN TOO. Slide rules always work; need no batteries; and aren't harmed by the occasional little salt water rinse. I also navigated using a sextant, or CONSOL signals in Europe. (years before GPS was invented)
Lead lines are sort of like a sliderule to check depth, guess having used them sort of dates us senior sailors. A lead line is a simple length of rope, weighted (usually with lead), hold one end firmly in one hand, toss the weighted end overboard with the other. It will sink to the bottom, then pull it out and look to see how deep it went to get to the bottom, and you have the depth. Steve M-15 # 335
----- Original Message ----- From: "Hughston, Larry@DGS" <Larry.Hughston@dgs.ca.gov> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2013 8:12 AM Subject: Re: M_Boats: Compass, knot, depth gauges, gps.
Captain Doug, I don't know what a "lead" line is. Please explain. ----Larry Old 189 M-15
-----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Douglas Kelch Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2013 7:25 AM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: Re: M_Boats: Compass, knot, depth gauges, gps.
I just use a hand held gps as double duty for a knot meter and gps. I do have a fixed mount compass and keep an old fashioned lead line for occasional use.
I sail shallow draft boats, 2 ft 11 inch draft board/keel down and donot worry much about the depth while sailing. I use the lead line when checking out an anchorage if it is unfamiliar.
Thanks
Doug
On Tue, Feb 26, 2013 at 12:21 PM, Thomas Buzzi <thomaspbuzzi@gmail.com>wrote:
Since it has been about 15 years since last buying a knot meter,depth gauge or gps, does anybody have any recommendations as to which brand is a good cross between quality and price or is it a matter of "1st class or no class"? Tom B.
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