I bought a new 85% jib for my m-15 from EP after using an old jib I had around from a dinghy and found that it really calms the boat down in heavier winds to the point where I have not had to reef the main since ( I sail on an inland lake in western New York, which is not the ocean, but winds do crank up here too). The boat sails better and I do not have to release sails or head up as much on puffs, perhaps helping more than the reefed main did. Anyway, I have been really happy with the investment, and if you put on when you go out if in doubt, the boat still goes if the wind doesn't climb, and there is no climbing out on the foredeck if the wind pipes up. mike m-15 annebonny On Saturday, February 22, 2014 10:12 AM, Daniel Rich <danielgrich@gmail.com> wrote: Interesting. I am really interested to see how my new sails (once I get the jib…have the main…) perform. Daniel On Feb 22, 2014, at 4:36 AM, John Tyner <tynerjr@md.metrocast.net> wrote:
You can read a lot of opinions on mast rake, including Jerry's, here:
http://www.msog.org/how-to/mastrake.cfm
Scroll down the page a little. ______ John Tyner M-15 #412 "Chimpanzee"
On 2/22/2014 12:40 AM, Tom Smith wrote:
David, although it was possible to shorten the working headsail (probably a 110 or so...) on my M15 (there was a reef point sewn in), I never rigged and used it because the idea of moving sheets or using task-specific ones and having to tidy up the foot seemed like more trouble than it was worth.
Unquestionably the M15 begins to behave like a dingy in higher winds--one of its more exciting attributes, but I always found reefing the main was sufficient to bring things under reasonable control. A nice piece of movable ballast (like your brother) would certainly have helped.
Perhaps others can tell of their experience doing this... t
t _/\_
On Fri, Feb 21, 2014 at 5:48 PM, David Grah <d_b_grah@yahoo.com> wrote:
I am interested in the groups thoughts on small jibs for my Montgomery 15.
I have always been a little slow to reef. For instance, I was out with one of my brothers and one of his kids in the Montgomery 15 out of the Berkeley Marina in the San Francisco Bay in some typical summer wind. The wind was comfortable without reefs or a small(er) headsail with my 200 pound or so brother helping me hold the boat down. I did notice once we were out that every single other boat around, most in the 30's of feet
long, were all reefed. I have never had the option of a smaller jib on
this boat. Doing it again, I probably still wouldn't have reefed that day with the ballast I had along.
Still, reducing sail area is something I should be able to do, especially as I start to venture off shore a bit more and further away from harbors. My main has a single reef, which I have only used once.
I am planning a trip to the Sea of Cortez this October. Jerry Montgomery mentioned the idea here and I liked it so am planning to go. Any body of water has stories of how strong it can blow there, and the Sea of Cortez is not exception. Because I would like to be able to venture out a ways while there and be able to get around if the wind does pick up, I figure I should get a smaller jib and a second reef put in my main for those windy times.
My sails are Elliot Pattison and I have been very happy with them. The jib is a standard one. I asked Elliot Pattison for a price for a storm jib and he wondered if an 85% jib might make more sense. He said the storm jib is probably best for heaving to in over 25 to 30 knots of wind, as opposed to sailing which the 85% would be better for. I do like strong wind and the ability to sail in it, plus it seems prudent to be able to continue to function as the wind climbs uncomfortably. I haven't heard of Montgomery 15's with more than 2 reef points so assume that 2 is a reasonable maximum. In addition to wondering what size jib would allow me to progress in as strong winds as it is reasonable to make progress in a Montgomery 15, I wonder what size jib would best match a typical Montgomery 15 main with two reefs in it.
What are the group's thoughts? Thanks so much in advance.
David Grah Bishop California Montgomery 15 - Sky