Haven't had the pleasure of sailing a Montgomery 15 in a blow, but we hit 11 knots (on a hull-mounted knotmeter) sailing my NS27 wing and wing around Cabo San Lucas. We were surfing big rollers with this rather deep keeled boat, and I would guess theoretical hull speed and bottom configuration had little to do with the result. This is real white-knuckle stuff, but everyone on board rated the experience a 9 out of 10. Tom Jenkins M17 Scintilla -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Paint4Real@aol.com Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2008 6:59 PM To: openboatt@gmail.com; montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: M_Boats: m15 speed While I agree with a likely false reading, I don't think the 15's incapable of surfing well above what might be technically regarded as a hull-speed limit on a displacement vessel, especially if roll and vector isn't a deterrent to lifting the centerboard -- that is, if you're just going out in some wind to see what she'll do on open water. That said, the fastest I've ever traveled in my 15 was under reefed main and storm jib on a reach. I was delirious with the pleasure of it. Then I had to head in to drop off a green-gilled non-sailor passenger whose delirium was originating from a place lower than his head or heart -- though he had unwittingly been providing some needed cockpit ballast for my little experiment. But in a 15, the best ballast is mobile, so might as well jettison that which isn't. I don't know what the maximum speed of a 15 with only skipper aboard, on a close reach and reefed down, in a blow, but it ain't the result of any hull-speed formula. Though I don't believe it's 12, either. I'm not saying it couldn't be, on an occasional surf. In the end, the race against numbers isn't as singular or sporting as the contest between our own limitations and the conditions in which we find ourselves. M15, #324 "Shenanigans" ************** Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001) _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats