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
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