Lou, I haven't notice water entering the cockpit when weight is added to an M15. When on a cruise in Maine I had 4 guys (probably 750 pounds) and a lot of extra weight do to cruising supplies. I saw a picture of us leaving the anchorage and the boat was really squatting, but no water in the cockpit. On the return to the anchorage we had more than 20 pounds of lobster, still no water. I remember the trip Frank mentioned in "Seas the Day" and I don't remember any water that day either. I do remember 4 or 5 of us sitting in the cockpit of an M17 and taking on a lot of water, not only in the cockpit but also in the cabin. I'm not sure, but I think that's because the scuppers are at the transom and all that weight just put them below the waterline. I do take on water in the cockpit when beating hard, but it's not substantial and leaves the same way it comes in. However, sometimes a small amount manages to find it's way into the bilge. I guess adding more weight would cause more water to come into the cockpit, but I would consider it a non issue. Rick M15 #337 Bluebird
Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 22:25:45 -0500 From: "Louis Aliotta" <capnlou@ec.rr.com> Subject: M_Boats: Crew Capacity... To: <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Message-ID: <000c01c851a6$2808b760$6401a8c0@TOSHIBA2RIVERS> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Has anyone had any experience with 3 crew members on the M15. I would like to take 3 people out but I am not that familiar with what I might experience. 2 people are around 170lbs each and one is about 230lbs. If I keep the heavier person in the center and balance out myself and the other person would I be alright? One of my concerns is the water that enters the cockpit at times when extra weight is added. Please let me know if anyone has experience or advice about this. Lou