Sounds great Rick, Now I am figuring out how I could incorporate that into my launch routine. I don't think that roller furler likes to be bent in the middle. As it is I leave the mast fully rigged except for the forestay and then just bolt in the foot and stand it up while it is still on the tralier. I do a do-ce-do around the mast, pick up the forestay with the snap shackle on it and lean into it enough to make it to the stemhead and voila, a rigged and properly tensioned rig once again. Fair winds, Tom B #258 On Sun, Aug 18, 2013 at 7:13 PM, Rick Davies <jdavies104@gmail.com> wrote:
Tom,
My solution for the 17, which I've never regretted, is a CDI furler and a 135% genoa with a luff pad. Rolled down to around 80% with a single reef in the main, and you're good anywhere up to 15 - 18 or so, pointing well to windward, and you never leave the cockpit which, being closer to 80 than 70, is a real plus for me. If the wind eases, shake out the reef, unroll the genoa, and you're on your way.
Rick M17 #633 Lynne L
On Sunday, August 18, 2013, Thomas Buzzi wrote:
Guess I better check to make sure I do have a storm jib for my 17'. All the time I have had it I did not think that perhaps a storm jib would be the ticket for beating to windward in 25+ knot headwinds. Interesting. Tom B M-17 #258
On Sat, Aug 17, 2013 at 11:48 PM, Jack Zukowski <john7jack@aol.com> wrote:
Hello again Daniel, The storm jib came with the m-15 when I bought it. I believe it is from the same sail maker that did the main and working jib, but without looking I can't swear to that. From my limited experience with the storm jib I would now fly it at anything over 15 mph winds. It just makes it easier. I didn't panic as I usually do when the wind gusted up. I am not a racer, I just enjoy going out and having a good day with enough time on my hands to drink a beer or two! The storm jib gave me that time.! All in all I was able to relax a lot more and I really do feel that the boat pointed better for me and I also feel that sailing with just the main is not an issue at all. The m-15 handles wonderfully with just the main out there. I don't want to be out there when the winds are exceeding 25 mph but sometime we have no choice. At 70 years old I don't like to be fighting for my life and sometime I think I am! I'll be out there tomorrow bitchin' there ain't enough wind, and the next day afraid to launch because there is too much wind! But I aways go! I feel the m-15 is the bmw of small sailboats, they do handle so beautifully .
Jack 2010 m-15
On Aug 17, 2013, at 11:11 PM, Daniel Rich <danielgrich@gmail.com> wrote:
Very interesting.
Where did you get your storm jib? Also, I guess one issue for me and for you is knowing ahead of time about putting it on. Now, I suppose I could have anchored and put it on then. Interesting.
Daniel On Aug 17, 2013, at 6:18 PM, Jack Zukowski <john7jack@aol.com> wrote:
Hello Daniel, I have been faced with the same situation many times and have tried many tactics to get home safely. I do have the storm jib and had never used until a few weeks ago. Of course I would never attempt to change under way either. We had forecast of 20 mph winds gusting much higher at times so I decided to try the storm jib before I launched. I did not reef the main, and thought I'd give it a try. I was so pleasantly surprised at how well the boat handled. I easily panic at times with the working jib but that never happened with the storm jib in place. I was so much more relaxed. My best speeds were hovering around 9 mph and running 4 to 5 mph on a beat. I sail alone 90% of the time and managing the working jib and main in heavy air can be a challenge for me. The storm jib made it refreshing. I actually felt the M-15 pointed better with the storm jib, but my experience is still very limited with it, time will tell. I've waited it out many times afraid to try to come in and had come in after dark many times waiting for the wind to die. I just love it I guess!
Jack Zukowski in Connecticut Still no name...2010 M-15
On Aug 17, 2013, at 8:23 PM, Daniel Rich <danielgrich@gmail.com> wrote:
Montypals:
Let's talk heavy air. Today I sailed with a nice guy interested in M15 boats. He was a pretty good sailor. We sailed out of Nick's Cove Tomales like I often do. The wind really kicked up as it can. I eventually double reefed, and had my standard working jib. The gusts must have gotten to at least 20 knots plus and the wind waves were quite big. Nonetheless, the M15 stayed quite dry despite pounding down the waves. Very impressive. And it was really pounding. But, I definitely struggled. Eventually it got to the point where even with the jib honked down I could not make progress to windward where I needed to go back to the dock. And I was getting closer to the windward shore. Every time I tried to point the boat would heel pretty good and rather than move forward would just dump air. At this point I figured that I could douse the jib, but would not be able to make progress