Thanx. Have you discovered the sailing community Fern Ridge Resevoir near Eugene? Steve M-15 # 335 South Puget Sound ----- Original Message ----- From: <casioqv@usermail.com> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2014 10:50 AM Subject: Re: M_Boats: M15 Restoration in progress
Steve,
I crossed both of the high I5 mountain passes mid-day during warm weather- both the Siskiyou pass and the Grapevine.
The Volvo D24T Turbo diesel (the engine is actually made by VW) is very prone to overheating and blowing head gaskets while towing. However, I am a diesel engine nerd, and I have extensively modified the vehicle for towing, as I used to tow my Catalina 22 (over 3,000 lbs on trailer) with it. I have massively upgraded the radiator, cooling fan, oil cooler, thermostat, and water pump.
If you're interested here is a long online thread where I detail my modification process for towing a Catalina 22 over the grapevine with this relatively small vehicle. It's actually factory rated to handle the weight of the C22 for towing, and the non-diesel Volvos do it no problem, but the diesel engine has cooling issues to overcome. There are photos, but unfortunately they only appear if you create an account on the site:
http://www.d24t.com/showthread.php?s=895043d0e2d5c2b386b9dab16b2e90ae&t=1100
Sincerely, Tyler 1981 M15 #157 "Defiant"
----- Original Message ----- From: "stevetrapp" <stevetrapp@q.com> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2014 10:32:14 AM Subject: Re: M_Boats: M15 Restoration in progress
That is a good recommendation for your Volvo diesel, considering that you had to cross over high mountain passes on either I-5 or Hwy 97, Or did you use the Coast Highway 101? I used my Ford Ranger V-6 to tow my M-15 from Coos Bay, Oregon to Spokane, Washington, but stuck to I-5 then I-84, then Hwy 395 which routed me around the higher mountain passes. Steve M-15 # 335
----- Original Message ----- From: <casioqv@usermail.com> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2014 9:49 AM Subject: M_Boats: M15 Restoration in progress
I finally towed my 1981 M15 1,000 miles south (from Salem, OR to Riverside, CA) and have started the restoration. It's amazing how light this boat is, my 1984 diesel Volvo barely felt it and fuel economy was about the same as when unloaded.
The centerboard is rusted and jammed solid in the trunk, and I'm still fighting to get it out. I just picked up a new lead and fiberglass centerboard from Bob Eeg yesterday, and he offered some suggestions I will use to get the old board free.
I also placed an order for 4 new sails with Harry Pattison. I decided to go with a double reef main 4" shorter than the current specs (I have the first generation short mast), a nylon drifer, a working jib, and an 85% heavy air jib to balance the reefed main. On Harry's suggestion I didn't get the spec'd storm jib because it's so small. I haven't sailed my M15 yet, but in most sloops I prefer to heave to under main alone, or even bare poles with a storm anchor. I also purchased a small para-anchor for this purpose and hope to experiment with it as practice for heavy weather sailing in larger boats.
I'm looking forward to sailing with you guys, hopefully doing the Cruiser Challenge this summer!
Sincerely, Tyler 1981 M15 #157 "Defiant"