Jerry, One of my favorite sails was on Lake Erie, out of Cleveland, after Thanksgiving in 1998. Indian summer with temperatures in the 60's. Incredible bird life out on the lake. I was out for 5-1/2 hours. No one else at the ramp. No docks, even. I recruited a passer-by to hold the bow line while I parked the rig. Coming in, I just set the bow on the ramp while I got the trailer. Also had a nice fall sail in late October, 2000. Down the lake 10 miles from Sandusky to Huron, OH. No one at the public marina but fisherman. Spent the night and sailed back in 5' seas, leftover from a Norther during night. Fortunately, enough wind remained to make it a pleasant sail. I saw several fishermen nose out into the lake, then retreat back to the shelter of Sandusky bay. The Montgomery rolled a bit, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Here's to fall! Bill Riker M-15 #184 Storm Petrel -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-admin@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-admin@mailman.xmission.com]On Behalf Of Jerry Williams Sent: October 28, 2002 8:51 PM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: last sail, maybe not I skipped out of work early and got in a short 2 hour sail, 36 degrees, 10 to 12mph winds, no gloves. I am more amazed at the M-15's performance with each use. The most enjoyable time though is sailing from or into the slip, something I was reluctant to try with my 26 footers. I installed a 2" X 6" piece of treated lumber across the front of the trailer with u bolts. I then installed an additional roller on that board to assist raising the bow into the yoke when retrieving the boat. This should solve the problem of the boat slipping under the yoke which makes winching the boat into position difficult. I'll take digital photos in case this works. I did the same thing for my McGregor and the results were that I colud pull the boat up to the yoke with a long line, never using the winch. I made sure that the additional roller is not so high that it contacts the boat once it is in the final resting position on the boards. It probably would put stress in an area not intended for weight bearing. I will probably have to pull the boat out in the next 10 days. Our marina is the only one with docks left in the water and freeze over can occur in early December. Last year I relaunched on December 6th, even though there were no docks at any ramps. Wader boots work fine to access the boat after parking the trailer. Jerry Williams M - 15