I've still yet to own an M boat, but I've taken my 1974 Catalina 22 to Santa Cruz Island, and Catalina several times. What an amazingly beautiful area to sail! Coming back from Santa Cruz Island to Channel Islands Harbor last January, we had ~25 knot winds and ~6 foot seas. The boat was overpowered and had a lot of weather helm under reefed main only. I think this is pretty typical afternoon weather there but an M17 would handle this much better, although I wasn't worried about the C22. Most people in small boats seem to get up before dawn and motor, but I prefer to sail... so I usually leave around noon when both the wind and waves are going strong. Personally, I think if you have deep reef points, and the ability to reef in rough seas you could handle prevailing winds in the Santa Barbara channel... but Santa Anas are a much bigger issue and at 70+ knots could easily be more than anyone could handle in a small boat. Here's some really valuable resources on understanding and preparing for Santa Anas: http://www.sailchannelislands.com/cicruisingguide/sc.php http://www.sailchannelislands.com/california-sailing/ http://www.amazon.com/Cruising-Guide-Central-Southern-California/dp/00713746... After discussions with Captain Dan, I decided that in a small boat- rather than head out to sea during a Santa Ana (the normal advice), I would just anchor in the most protected location possible with a massively oversized anchor and tons of chain and then watch the boat weather out the storm from ashore. I slept well in the nightly canyon downdrafts using a 22lb Delta on my Catalina 22, which is advertised as suitable for a 40 footer (yea right). Tyler ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Platt" <davidplatt93405@yahoo.com> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Monday, September 23, 2013 11:56:06 AM Subject: Re: M_Boats: My M17 did really nice in strong winds today I am an M17 owner based in San Luis Obispo and just an observer on the forum. This thread caught my attention, since I am planning on taking my boat out to the Channel Islands in October. I was wondering how the boat handles, not just in heavy wind, but in the ocean. I would never intentionally take the boat out in any forecast, unpleasant conditions and know it is not designed as a blue water boat, but just wondering if anyone has any experience getting caught out with one or even experience in sailing the islands. The Santa Barbara Channel can be a nasty place and the wind can howl, sometimes unpredictably. I plan on spending a few days and would like to be as prepared as possible. I have had the boat out in 20 knots up at Lake Lopez a few times, but the ocean is quite a different and much more challenging environment. As far as my experience level goes, I have sailed off and on all my life, but the ocean sailing I've done has all been aboard larger sail boats. Also, this trip will be solo which can make things more difficult. Would love to hear any advice the group might have...