Sure did, I released it slowly and felt for any sticking, there was none. I felt it as it hit the stop pin, no problem. I was suprised at how heavy it is. I had to use the winch to retract it , funny thing I was looking to hard at the pennant line and got a squirt of water in the face. Once under sail, if you are single-handing, I can see how you would have to wait before retracting it. Or rig a tiller tamer. It is easier to work on it on the dock, than on the trailer, except for the tenderness. Needless to say my wife did not get a single thing from me all day, and when I finally went in I found myself still rocking, while I watched the news. There was no water coming into the boat that was a relief. I was especially concerned with the knotmeter fitting which is thru hull. I spent most of the day working on the wiring and trying to figure why the depth gauge would not work. While at the hardware I found some liquid electrical tape, man that stuff worked great, you brush it on your electrical splices and it insulates and waterproofs, I will go to town on the trailer tomorrow with it. I have not yet raised the sails, since it was blowing about 20 knots and the wind kept shifting. I was content on getting to know everything really well. I got A nice surprise when I installed the depth gauge, it is a Lowrance X-48 with a nice big display and enough features to make any fishing boat envious. It not only does depth but finds fish and tracks the bottom pretty cool. So I have a nice array of electronics depth, speed, temperature, and I will be getting a mount for my Handspring Visor GPS, I will take along the MP3 and Camara module. Hey and maybe my laptop since I have a wireless hotspot at the house. Who needs to work Ill just there.............. sorry I got carried away gilbert -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+gilbert=mindgame.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+gilbert=mindgame.com@mailman.xmission.c om]On Behalf Of Honshells Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2004 10:49 AM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: M_Boats: She floats!! Did you drop the centerboard, Gilbert? Does it move freely? --Craig ----- Original Message ----- From: "gilbert landin" <gilbert@mindgame.com> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 11:33 PM Subject: She floats!! I launched my new 1974 M-17, I was very apprehensive since our closest ramp, is just that, a ramp with no sides and old dead submerged pilings. I was not sure how far to back up the trailer and used my 4-wheel drive 4-runner just in case. I was very surprised the boat slid right on in, this was not the plan though, I was going to climb on board and start the motor and attach the rudder, but this worked. Its amazing how no matter how you plan it, things end up differently. The mast only hung up twice, that was not bad for our first launch. Mounting the motor on the transom I found that I was very limited in my turn angles. because of the transom cutout, I only had about a 15 degree turn on each side. Didn't needed it.I was lucky, I motored it to my backyard and will attach the sails tomorrow I wail no to be able to sleep tonight in anticipation. gilbert _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats