Hi Larry, A boat like the M15, whose basic design and layout are well done, is now the starting point for your personalization of your M15 to meet your needs, and the sailing areas you will visit. You have an excellent sailing vessel as a starter. The interior design works well for two. You have good sail lockers (hopefully both the deep lockers so that you can utilize all the available storage space - if not, then in time, cut around the top lip of the shallow sail locker and make it removable. Then you have the removable shallow locker for small stuff, but with easy access to the other, lower, area where you can store more useful items: mine included the swim ladder; a Bimini with poles; extra cockpit cushions; the boat hook, .... you get the idea, plus you can check and remove any water that might be in the keel bilge aft of the CB. Use the "Vee" filler piece over the Portapotty to make a work table for the aft end of the cockpit. A great place for cooking dinner. You just have to add two teak strips to the underside so that it won't slide when in place. See the M Archives for my details of a Tool Box Galley - everything you need for cooking and eating in a 19 inch tool box - the single burner propane stove was extra, but both stowed very nicely aft of the companionway P/S of the CB trunk. Comfort and easy access at anchor or while underway is the name of the game. Build a new lower hatchboard for the companionway that holds your GPS; binoculars; beer or soft drink can (with insulation) and maybe a small radio, such as a Grundig. I had all of that on my hatch board. A SONY pancake CD player adds your music to the joy of sailing. Just some ideas to get you started on your personal customization. Happy sailing - our Connecticut snow cover is slowly disappearing. No Bikinis in sight yet, but the cyclists are out and about.. Connie Hughston, Larry wrote:
Connie, been seeing you on this post for a few years now. Always nice to see what you have to say. I keep seeing all this good news about the M-15 in every respect. Now, I have to ask you.....how did I ever get so lucky as to have purchased used (and abused) an M-15 that turns out to be the perfect investment, the perfect tailoring boat/trailer combo, the traditional look and sailing quality, and the best quality built (forget interior detail and décor...I don't care), and affordable sailboat on the planet. I put a bunch of work on the keel (new) and the trunk. Turned out good, just not perfect. I did the best I knew how with a brush. Spent 1K$ on the trailer, started with rust. Made custom supports for my M-15's bottom side (Polywood split, bent, glued) for an easy to launch, easy to retrieve day on the water.
Now comes the hard part, Folsom Lake is down to mud and lots of brown islands. This is the main place for practice. Lord, I NEED lots of practice.
Bottom Line....I feel privileged to be the owner and temporary guardian of the best poor man's sailboat. What a joy to own....
Larry Hughston in Sacramento, Hull # 189 by Jerry M. (1981)
Thanks for listening Connie.....Fair Winds Mate.
-----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of chbenneck@sbcglobal.net Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 11:19 AM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: Re: M_Boats: Considering Purchasing an M15
Hi Jim,
I'm a former M15 owner (only sold because of our increasing age: I'm 88 at the moment and my wife is 81 with two hip joint replacements).
I got to the M15 as the ultimate solution for a small trailerable boat after living with, and trying several others in the 15 foot size range.
We were once big boat sailors - owned a Tripp-Lentsch 29 for 26 years; and were spoiled by the elegant design and workmanship in that vessel. It slept four: it had excellent storage for 4; it was designed to CCA Rules, with wide usable decks; excellent sail lockers; and was a joy to sail. While living in Europe, we sailed the English Channel, the Med, and the Adriatic, as well as sailing the East Coast from NYC to Boston.
When we downsized (everywhere on the North East Coast was becoming too crowded) we first bought a Bolger MICRO, a 15 foot long cat yawl. A wonderful boat, except stepping a 23 foot free standing mast became too much of a chore. So, I looked for something with an aluminum mast and stays to make life easier. I found a derelict ComPac 16 in Clearwater Florida, bought it; and totally rebuilt it. The solution to the problem I thought; but I hadn't thought through the problem far enough.
The ComPac 16 has no usable storage. Everything has to be crammed on the berths that run under the cockpit seats, which means it all has to be put somewhere (in the cockpit in the rain overnight?) so that you can sleep. The sleeping accommodations - berths P/S, and far apart - are very bad for marital bliss.
And worst of all, you can almost forget about sailing to windward. It's fine on a broad reach, but harden it up and it goes sideways.... That made me more and more unhappy with what I had, and caused me to start looking ....
That's when I heard about and learned about the M15.
I bought one sight-unseen in Panama City, FL, and thoroughly enjoyed sailing it (and trailering it) for the years of our ownership.. It is a sailor's ship. Good double berth; good storage for everything you need on a vessel; and excellent sailing characteristics - a pure delight.
See the M - Archives for more details.
Connie Benneck
ex M15 #400 LEPPO
Joe Murphy wrote:
Good luck in your search. Joe ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim" <boats@meridianleeward.com> To: "Monty Mailing List" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2009 8:28 PM Subject: Re: M_Boats: Considering Purchasing an M15
Hi Joe,
I saw that you did have a 17 in Atlantic Beach on the Yahoo groups Montgomery Owners Registry but thought I really need to see an M15. Thank you for the offer - everyone here has been so nice.
Jim
on 2/8/09 7:26 PM, Joe Murphy at seagray@embarqmail.com wrote:
Hey Jim, Good news, I have a Monty in Atlantic Beach, NC about 2 hrs from Durham. The bad news is that it is a M-17 and I'd hate for you to compromise your desires for an M-15... heh, heh. But seriously, if you are interested, give me a call or email me directly at seagray@embarqmail.com or 252-240-1085. I bought mine from Bob Eeg last fall. In fact Tony Reed's boat and mine were on the same transporter. As I've said earlier on this group, working with Bob is easier than falling off a barstool. Regards, Joe Seafrog M-17 #651
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