until the mid-ish-80s the M17s centerboards were cast iron. when Jerry lost the casting mold when the casting company went bankrupt. as a result Jerry modified the M17s to use the M15's centerboard. the M15's centerboard is a fiberglass shell filled the about 45# of lead shot (ie, BBs). don't use stainless under the waterline. use silicon bronze for the rotation and stop pins. the best M17 rudders are a solid piece of wood, mahogany, that slide up/down on a rod (silicone bronze or aluminum bronze .... NOT stainless steel. when in the up position the rudder is just above the depth of the shoal keel. these are what Jerry delivered on most of his boats (some of the early M17 rudders were simi-balanced and could not be moved up/down; also solid mahogany). the plastic (HPDE i believe) kickup rudder that is available for the M17 isn't to Jerry's & Lyle's foil speck. the plastic rudders also warp, significantly, if not stored correctly. as Jerry recommended the best move would be to cut a new centerboard out of steel plate, clean up the edges to make a bit of a foil. the cast iron boards weigh about 180#; though i've read some were lighter as noted: 165-170# John Owens, JOWoodworks, can make you an original specification mahogany rudder & glulam tiller. Contact Dwyer Aluminum Mast company for a new standing rig & boom. Harry Pattison (E/P Custom Sails) or JudyB with Hyde Sails Direct can assist with sails. Both lofts know the M17 well. I can assist you in getting the mast/boom hardware (ie, cleat(s), blocks, strapeyes, etc.) I can also assist in the running rigging (sheets, halyards, and other sail control lines). I can also make you the shrouds (I have Jerry's swaging tool ... used to make most of his M17s and M15s shrouds). before investing i recommend you carefully inspect the shoal keel to confirm the steel ballast isn't rusting. if it is rusting a significant repair is required. also inspect the deck/cockpit for balsa core rot ... if the rot is significant the repair is also a lot of work. both issues are also costy. if you need measurements for anything, or pictures of parts, or pictures of how the boat is set up i can, again, assist ... i have an '83 M17 here at the shop. should be identical you yours as she has a cast iron keel and the 'new' deck/cockpit setup (ie, three cockpit lockers, two cockpit locker drains and a slightly different house than the original deck mold). i also have direct contact with Jerry to assist in the project. -- :: Dave Scobie :: Sage Marine - www.sagemairne.com :: former M15 owner - www.freewebs.com/m15-named-scred :: M17 #375 SWEET PEA - www.m17-375.webs.com On Thu, May 19, 2016 at 10:05 AM, Hughston, Larry@DGS < Larry.Hughston@dgs.ca.gov> wrote:
Bob Eeg the current builder can be a great source of M17 information. I used to own an M15. Just reading the messaging back and forth in the last 12 years has shown me just how much information you can get. First, get the M17 back to original as best you can. It will not be cheap but the center board has to get back to the original weight and configuration. Call Bob Eeg and see what material is used today. The originals were bronze...not sure. Ask Bob if a steel CB can be used. It will be a pain to get back into its correct position and get pinned with a stainless bolt. I am not sure that a new steel can be made at home. There is more....like the winch and cable for raising the CB back up. Look into getting a new, original rudder are a flip up type. Could save you hundreds of dollars in shallow waters. Get in touch also with Connie. This elder sailor is treasure of information and other leads. Find out what you can do yourself. Give your restoration time to do correctly the first time. Good luck with the new boat. You have a classic in your possession. Wear that PFD at all times. Larry (ex-M15 owner...I went to power for the Sacramento River)
-----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats [mailto: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of michael beebe via montgomery_boats Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2016 12:55 PM
Hello all. I'm a owner of a 1984 M17, recent purchase. It's missing a few things, standing n running rigging. No spreaders, centerboard gone, rudder cut off short. Are any measures available for these items? Thanks. Also I noticed the cast iron centerboard was done away with in 87' I think. Can I make myself one of ply n epoxy glass, my question, the weight factor, metal #165 +/- , is that weight needed ? Ballast? Added inside? I'm stuck, any thoughts, thanks ever so much, Mike