I finally got an end of season Lake Michigan checkout and verification of my new cockpit check valve. It worked great. My son visiting from Charlotte was with me so only two aboard for this test. There was a nice wind, and average waves, and still warm enough to forget any jackets or long sleeves. No water came in, and we could hear a slight clicking as the valve opened and closed with the waves. Not a drop in the cockpit, after last year with 3 in the boat,the cold water kept coming in and running back in the cockpit making cold feet. I cut that short. The two people with me were relatives with no sailing knowledge. The valve has a 3/4 inch floating ball, and it is accessible by pulling out the poly carbonate valve seat cylinder which is is just a friction fit. And because I hadn't yet gotten around to making a small wireform spacer to prevent it; the wave action after a few hours sailing and motoring, the ball and seal worked their way out and let lots of water in. The parts were not lost however, because there is a stainless perf metal filter for keeping leaves and debris out of the drain. There is also an epoxied stainless tube over the centerboard rope. I am delighted at how well this worked and am looking forward to more testing opportunities. It is too late for sailing in Chicago this year. I am wondering about the potential for towing the boat down to the keys in hopes of finding good sailing weather and places to explore, and safe harbor at night. I don't think any of my family members could make it and so I would need to find someone to help me crew, or someone with a boat to sail with. Here are a couple photos of my check valve setup: https://www.dropbox.com/s/n8igwhsdyit5cyg/ChkValveFail.jpg https://www.dropbox.com/s/2oflc7ff4kaoykn/ChkValveParts.jpg The second link shows the essential valve parts(Valve tube, Rope tube, Perforated stainlessf filter, new wireform spacer setting below the two tubes, Teak cover board with forward lock pins and locking brass knob. One more subject. Although this is my 5th sailboat (bought last fall), I have never reefed a mainsail, although get the general idea, and I have tried it once on my M15, and it went well, and I will be wanting to do it more. So a few questions: 1. The reefing rope nearest the mast could go in the little pivot, swivel, stretch area to avoid rubbing on the thick mainsail bunched in that area. I avoided doing this. Am I right? 2. The following is a photo of my boom. I am using the side pulley and cleat for my outhaul. Is that what they are for? https://www.dropbox.com/s/d0fx4yn52ixrhd1/BoatBoom2.jpg 3. Do I need more hardware on my boom for reefing quickly and safely? 4. Is there a good video or photo or other reference for reefing the M15? Thanks, Jim Dahlquist Palatine, IL. jim@dhlqst.com