Yeah, that is how I felt. I was solo sailing, and the M15 is really a cross between a dingy and a keel boat. Amazing how much difference weighting makes in the boat. It would have been nice to have a crew for that reason, plus the company! I have no problem single handing the boat, since the M15 is so easy to sail, but it would have been nice. I would love to watch Doug tack that thing! Daniel On Jul 5, 2012, at 5:00 PM, W David Scobie wrote:
to add to Bill's comment -
the M15, when the wind is up, REALLY sails better with a crew of two. the 'movable ballast' can be a great help and you can really get the 15 to 'haul the mail'. two is really better than one on the M15 when the wind is above 15 knots.
if you have the opportunity to see Doug Kelch sail take the time to watch and evaluate what he is doing. he KNOWS his stuff! it is even more fun to watch him on the M15 gaff cutter as the boat does have a lower center of effort so can take a lot of wind and SEAS THE DAY stay 'on her feet'. it is also a sight when Doug tacks ... he is a superman as he tends two jibs and the main sheet all at once.
:: Dave Scobie
--- On Thu, 7/5/12, Bill Kaiser <whkaiser@gmail.com> wrote:
I had 2 reefs and a storm jib with 4 adults on board and it was comfortable blowing hard white caps on Lake Pleasant in AZ one afternoon then when the wind laid down went back with just one reef didn't change the jib could have. One other time blowing 25 with just main only 2 reefs couldn't get it to go to weather and the crew wasn't responsive ( didn't want to get wet and stayed in cabin) and that same day Doug Kelch was out in his cutter rigged 15 by himself with shorten sail but did have a little head sail and was going to weather. Too hot in AZ for sailing my new to me Desert Dawn a Catalina 22. Bill
On Thu, Jul 5, 2012 at 4:23 PM, Daniel Rich <danielgrich@gmail.com> wrote:
We've discussed this before, but want opinions again. Scobie?
Yesterday I was in 15-20 knot winds. 1 reef point just wasn't enough. So, I'm going to add another. Now, with 2 reef points and a working jib, will I have good balance in an M15? Or, do I need a storm jib too? I don't have one. How does the M15 sail on 2 reefed main alone with a dropped jib? Any chance of going to windward that way?
Daniel Rich M15 #208 "Kestrel" danielgrich@gmail.com