Update on this Passagemaker Montgomery 17... This project is being built for a Pacific crossing. The owner plans on heading south down thru Mexico then jumping off to the South Seas. Eventually, ending up in South Africa. As mentioned before, no engine. Just oars on custom oarlocks mounted on a genny track. The oars are 8 feet long. We are installing a modified Norvane Windvane. The Vane is at the shop and will be mounted before decking the boat. http://www.selfsteering.com/Introduction.asp The vane weights less than an outboard/motor mount..! The main hatch is a custom Aluminum watertight, buikhead door like you would find on a large ship. Hinged on the left and two handles on the right side. The sliding hatch is now just a permanent fiberglass roof that is part of the deck structure; the forward hatch has a Lewmar Ocean series aluminum hatch in place of the standard hatch. The rudder is a stock mahogany that has been glassed over and gelcoated white. The bottom of the Passagemaker M_17 has 5 coats of epoxy and will have a couple of coats of fresh bottom paint just prior to launch. She has two stainless opening ports (from Lewmar) and we are installing stainless hand rails as well. Cooking is a Seaswing Stove; several other mods inside as we continue getting her complete. This has been a fun project; I will try and get some photos of the windvane installation and the overall boat in a couple of days. (Bill..?) Bob www.montgomeryboats.com (949) 489-8227 -----Original Message-----
From: Tim Diebert <tim@timtone.com> Sent: Sep 25, 2007 8:22 AM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Subject: M_Boats: Factory prepped for big crossing
"Hi Tim
I don't think the owner is on this list. He is from Austria and lives in Namibia in Africa. He ordered the boat to be built to where we were ready to deck it; then he flew in for us to add his custom requirements. No engine. Were attaching custom oar locks on a sliding 1.25 inch genny track; watertight hatches, solar charging system, GPS, stainless opening ports..etc windvane (were working on the windvane project this week)..up size some of the cables, cover the rudder in glass..etc..
An interesting project. Bob"
Hey Bob. Thanks for the update. It would be fun to keep up with this project. Do you know where he is leaving from and when? And where his planned destination is?
Had you or he thought to raise the 'bridge deck' area or raise the lower opening of the companionway? Bigger scuppers? Any keel mods or changes?
You had mentioned rig changes (I think...?) Staysail? Heavier wire or even extrusions?
An interesting choice of no motor and oars instead. Leaves more available weight for stores etc.
What fun.
Have there been other Atlantic crossings in M17's? (N. Atlantic?) The only major crossing I had heard of was the M15 Little Wing to HI.
Cheers, Tim M17 Puff
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