In a message dated 5/27/2011 5:37:33 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time, bownez@juno.com writes: Did you get a chance to sail your ultra modified, holes in the boom, slick as shit, two-tone, sneeker-creeper, tall rig M17 against the Sage at Havasu? Bones, Glad to hear you can start sailing - Land of 10,000 lakes...Hope you get much time sailing this summer. No we did not unfortunately. Wanted to but ran out of time and you couldn't crew for me.................LOL. The boat is not really so 'modified'', it is a tall rig, that was available as an option from the factory, 'holes in the boom' -are silliness (we were bored at the shop one day!) 'Slick as poop' - you must have confused the attractive appearance of my topsides with the 'slick as _ _ _ _' part ! But I do have the Koolest handrails around ! I was not able to sail one on one with the Sage - Sailed a bit with Stan & company, and was happy with the results - Stan's boat is very fast and will be even better with some refinement. We did well next to them ( I have a TERRIBLE mainsail as an excuse ) and I think we 'held our own'. Craig - My Crew/Plumber (!), is not a competitive sailor, we sat on the seats and cruised well within striking distance - BUT - The Sage shows some remarkable capacity - VERY 'stiff' boat- accelerates like crazy fun, and I think it is the greatly improved evolution of the Montgomery Lineage well executed. I am impressed with Jerry's new toy.- I am not usually excited unless there is a big improvement in the boat and it adds value the experience. WOW I like that thing. I sailed a fractional rigged boat as my most previous ride (S2 6.7 Grand Slam) and am partial to the fractional rig - especially for short handed sailing - they are easier/more flexible for many reasons. (See the 'Susman Special Speed Sail Rig' - fractional.) So - here is the deal - I have invited Tim D. from Canada to crew for 2012 LHPCC and you have been invited - what say ye? 2012 at Havasu - Stan will probably be there, Jerry probably drag out the proto and any other number of Sage 17s plus ALL the other great folk - with Pocket Cruising devices - we can sail/race along side so as to not disrupt. I will have a new mainsail - probably goofy looking too - it is my 'style'. Optimal conditions for a good speed showing- light air (tall rig is deadly fast in light) and or heavy conditions for the Boys to be overpowered- or anything in between - LH is almost local waters for the boat. I think we have em shakin' in their Dubarrys already! (think that'll work?) First and foremost we will have BIG FUN for SAILING FOLK and get to see FRIENDS ! Let's go sailing in February at Havasu! Scooter slightly modified M-17 tall - (if it was well modified it would FLY...... like Stan's boat)