Connie,
 
     Great suggestions.  The jib sheet jam cleats were troublesome in light air.  They didn't want to "grab" and I was thinking through the prospects for improvement.  Cam cleats would be much better.
 
     Jam cleats and a line around the tiller is a good alternative to a more expensive and more complex "tiller tamer".  Do you use a tiller extension or the J 24 tiller I have heard mentioned?  I like the stock tiller because it is small and out of the way but I can't sit all the way forward.  Seems like the tiller extension would be better because it's there when it need to be and stowed other times.
 
     Thanks for the ideas.  Any comments on larger headsails and spinnaker?
 
Jesse
----- Original Message -----
From: chbenneck@juno.com
To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2003 8:28 AM
Subject: Re: M_Boats: M 15 Maiden Voyage

Hi Jesse,
 
Yep, it's love all right!  .........and it only gets better as you get more familiar with your new boat.
 
I presume that you have the original jam cleats on the cabin roof for the jib sheets.
 
The first thing I did was change those out for cam cleats, so that if I want an instant jib sheet release (unexpected gusts) all I have to do is yank up on the jib sheet and it is free to run.
 
With the jam cleats, you have to fight with the force on the sheet - equal and opposite direction - to finally get it released from the jam cleat.
 
                                                         ~~~~~~~~~~
 
I added some small jam cleat to the top of cockpit coaming :  P/S.  Then I can put a line around the tiller (or a light bungee cord) and cleat it off in the jam cleat.  Then I have a cheap effective self steering:  good enough to hold a course while I go below and rummage about for a beer; the radio or a new CD for the SONY pancake CD player (2 AA cells).
 
This spring's project will be the addition of a motorcycle battery in the forward compartment, with a fuse panel with cigarette plug somewhere in the cabin.  Location still not finalized after seeing another such installation.
 
The purpose is to supply power for my CD player (minimum) and for the GPS, (4 AA cells every few hours), so that I can leave it on all the time and use it as a knot meter, as well as pointing to bikini clad girls lounging on swim floats...........
 
I used the motorcycle battery because it weighs only about 7 lbs, so removal to take it home for a recharge is no big deal.
 
                                                        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
My tiller extension is also a worthwhile project.
 
It does two things:
 
A)  I can sit all the way forward in the cockpit (and get the stern out of the water for better boat speed)
 
B)  It raises the tiller height so that it is not down at your knees; i.e., more comfortable seating and tiller holding position.
 
Have fun.
 
Connie
 
 
 
                                               

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