Sounds like you have a good sail, Norm No, I always thought the 15 had a terrific rudder. I guess I never eead the review, but maybe the boat that they used was in a poor state of tune; blown-out sails or a mast that was raked too much. I never had the 15 out in a REAL blow, but I sailed one for a week in Mexico when it blew around 30 most days, with some really steep waves because of tidal current, but don't think I ever stalled the rudder. The high aspect, foil-shaped rudder is a big plus in my opinion. Jerry jerrymontgomery.org ----- Original Message ----- From: "Norm Bundek" <nbundek@earthlink.net> To: <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Friday, September 02, 2005 7:16 AM Subject: re: M_Boats: my idea of a great sail Jerry, Your current posting about "kicking butt" is a testament to M15's. Last weekend, I went out with a Potter group to Anacapa Island (16 miles offshore) off the Southern California coast in a small craft advisory. A second M15 and I made the island well in advance of the Potter's; some were quite far behind us. Pictures of the trip should be on the Potter web site by Labor Day. Since your performance is so good, do you have a stock M15 rudder? One of the past owners of my 1981 M15 #172 replaced the rudder with his own design. I happened to re-reading the Sept/Oct 2004 issue of Small Craft Advisor on their M15 review. The only knock on the Monty was the rudder's design (p. 52) in that "it's an extremely 'high aspect ratio' plank of mahogany, more or less shaped like an airfoil...the narrow rudder blade is often stalled, which tires the helmsman and slows the boat". Any thoughts on this review - anyone? I've been thinking of buying a new stock rudder in order to bring my boat into spec and hopefully increase performance. After last weekends sail, I know that I am sailing pretty well for a new sailor. But, I want to hit the top of a Monty's performance. Norm M15 #172 Ventura, CA _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats