Hello David, I saw your email and had a couple of thoughts. A- Potters overturning- I owned a P15 before purchasing my current M15 and the P15 was a stable boat. I did have to lock down the c/b before raining sail as that was the primary ballast and lateral resistance for the boat. It's much like any small c/b boat ( a Daysailor, Lido 14 or Catalina 14/15 ). I never flipped mine but I was a cautious sailor. 1. Does anyone know of an M15 or 17 turning turtle? A- I haven't heard or it. 2. Apparently the Potters have some form or center board down locking mechanism. I can understand why this would be important so why do the M's not have that capability? Is it really important? A- The M15 c/b isn't the primary ballast, it weighs only 40 lbs or so and you can sail with it up. It sails much like a Compac 16 and doesn't point too well with out the board down. A- the M15 board doesn't lock down, by design. On another note, I am considering removing the foam blocks from under the bow to expand storage space. I read the postings on this and couldn't conclude if this was a bad idea. Opinions? A- I'd leave the flotation in place, it's safer and designed that way. I put a couple of hanging web storage bags and that helped organize and I also put a hammock to put stuff it. Enjoy your M15 they are great small boats and very stable. I do reef mine over 15 and also purchased a smaller 60% jib for 20+ sailing. Regards, Randy Watkins M15#194
David.Rossi@wcom.com 01/14/02 10:00AM >>> I just read the accounts of Potters turning turtle and as I am new to sailing a smaller center boarder a couple of question came to mind.
1. Does anyone know of an M15 or 17 turning turtle? 2. Apparently the Potters have some form or center board down locking mechanism. I can understand why this would be important so why do the M's not have that capability? Is it really important? 3. My experience with a center boarder is on a 30 footer with a very heavy keel. I used the center board at about half on a reach and only dropped it all the way when beating. Running it was up. The Potter accounts sound like they felt that the board should be locked down at all times. Is this correct on the M's? On another note, I am considering removing the foam blocks from under the bow to expand storage space. I read the postings on this and couldn't conclude if this was a bad idea. Opinions? Thanks for your time and experience, Dave Rossi M15-197 _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats