George: Svendens Boat Works in Alameda made stern pulpets for Bob Becker, Scott Grometer, and me using Bert Felten's M15 "Kokopeli" stern pulpet as a a guide. The three of us going together kept the costs down. Clarence: Yes, I almost always use the harness and tether when sailing on windy days on the south bay. The fact is an 800 pound, fifteen foot sailboat with a skeg keel is not safe when alone out on the bay when the wind is up. I've been sailing the south bay since 1962 - first crewing for my dad on his Pearson Electra and later on my Cal 20. For several years I sailed a sunfish and a Capri 14.2. There's seldom anyone else out there to assist you if something happens. The frigid water and current are to be respected, as well as unexepected overpowering gusts. Once a small sailboat becomes overpowered and unstable when running downwind it's good to have a stern pulpet to grab onto. I am proud to say, however, the M15 tracks downwind very well for such a small boat. She is a terrific little sailboat. I love the boat! It's just not the boat for sailing San Francisco Bay. Rich Cottrell