Yes, I remember Kit! When he finished the 15 he started on a Lyle boat of about 30', and the last I saw was doing a great job on it. He was a great guy and a very good woodworker (hopefully, he still is)! I don't remember why he wanted a masthead rig; probably just wanted to be different. I never sailed on the boat but I remember that he was happy with it and sailed to Catalina a few times. I'd just stick a compression tube in the boat, and don't forget to run it all the way to the bottom of the boat. You could do it in two pieces or run it right thru the berth. Bring it to the Cruiser Challenge in Monterey in July and see how it does against the regular 15's. They usually dominate their class. jerry ----- Original Message ----- From: "W David Scobie" <wdscobie@yahoo.com> To: "jerry montgomery" <jerry@jerrymontgomery.org> Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 7:25 AM Subject: Re: M_Boats: masthead rigged M15
From: Beowulf <beowulf2@cox.net> Subject: Re: M_Boats: M15 rudder performance To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Monday, May 16, 2011, 6:20 PM Hello Jerry: I bought a M15 #167 from Kit Cooney (I think that was his name) 29 years ago in 1982. I believe he either worked for you or did some work for you and he ended up with a M15 kit that he built. I may have the story wrong. I remember meeting you several times at the Long Beach Boat shows in the 80's and also at your company in Costa Mesa. The boat itself has held up great through the years. Unfortunately, I have had it stored on the side of my house for some time. I am now planning to get it ready for sailing again and want it refitted with new standing rigging. This M15 has always been mast head rigged (with spreaders) like a M17. I know years ago you told me that I should consider re-rigging the boat to the original fractional rig as Kit Cooney did not install a compression post inside the cabin to deal with the downward pressure from the mast. My questions are: Do you know why Kit Cooney would have rigged the boat this way? Also, have you ever installed or heard of a compression post being installed in a M15? I rather like the mast head rig and the boat has always sailed very well especially after I learned about putting some rake into the mast. Would love to hear your thoughts and anyone elses concerning the rigging.
Mike Hall M15 #167 Tustin, CA