Damn, I thought I had invented the "Spit Log". So much for my patent hopes... On Jun 26, 2012, at 8:17 AM, W David Scobie wrote:
i sailed my M15 when there were no cat's paws on the water ... loved doing this as i would sail right by boats two, three, four times longer. in these wind conditions the M15 will out-sail the M17 and M23.
if you can steer the M15 you are moving. she will have helm control (yes, rather slow to respond) even is she is 'barely moving'.
i admit that this is a bit disgusting ... if i'm not sure the boat is moving i will spit over the side. i can then see if the boat is moving in relation to the spit. this is better than moving the tiller needlessly (as noted above) ... as tiller movement slows the boat.
i recommend two things when sailing in light winds on the M15 -
* SIT FORWARD. be sitting at the bulkhead that separates the cabin and cockpit. if you sit aft you drag the transom and slow/stop the boat. if you don't have a tiller extension get one. (FYI, this is how you should be sitting on the M15 when sailing regardless of the wind speed).
* sit on the leeward side. the M15 sails best heeling at 5-10 degrees. this is especially true in light winds. the M15 is not at her best when sailing 'flat' ... even when the wind is 'up'.
:: Dave Scobie :: former M15 owner - www.freewebs.com/m15-named-scred :: M17 #375 SWEET PEA - www.m17-375.webs.com
--- On Mon, 6/25/12, Klaas <santaklaas@telus.net> wrote:
can someone tell me how much wind it takes to move a Monty 15 . Where I sail there is always a tide , so I can't tell what is making me move , the wind or the tide . But Im wondering how much wind does it take Thanks KLaas