M-boaters,
I don't know if we have anyone who qualifies, but I hope someone does. It
would be nice for the Montgomery to be represented.
I received an email from a publisher who is putting together a book, the
theme of which is essentially Sail Small/Have Fun. His
hope is to find a Montgomery owner to write a chapter dealing with this
theme. I asked a few questions before sending this email out to get
a better idea of what he's looking for. Excerpts from him through the
email exchange:
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"It will be based in large part on material written by a selected
group of folks following an outline I provide. The boats involved range
from 16 1/2' to about 25 feet. ...the approach of having [a] single
author working on each chapter with me serving as guide and editor. This
will work best given someone who is actually a good writer who combines
the necessary experience.
"Each chapter will need to be a minimum of 3,500 - 4,500 words with
up to 7,500 words possible. Again, there is a detailed road map for
people but, still, this sort of thing requires someone capable of at
least an expressive draft that I can then work on editing. There will be
a stipend of approximately $150 plus, of course, a book. "
[I asked what type of sailing he would concentrate on:]
"As to the cruising, daysailing, racing question -- the answer is
cruising. The biggest single section of the book is from a Brit who has,
over a 50 year period, sailed his home-built 16 1/2-foot cutter some
50,000 miles exploring the Thames estuary. Nobody is going to match him,
but that's the sort of person I'm looking for -- someone who either
because of lack of money or else because of a determined philosophy, made
a commitment to "sailing small." My preference is for people
who have owned their boat for 10 years or more. We're looking for
"the Joshua Slocum of Montgomery 17" owners -- if you get my
drift. If that person turned out to own a 15 or 23 -- well, I would
consider [them].
"Those who might have 'written up' an adventure and shared it on the
web would not be candidates. Each chapter obviously needs to be unique
and new. There is very little anywhere on the web that approaches the
substance of what I have in mind. [Thought from Doug: If there is a
qualified writer with an article on the MSOG, we'll take it off.]
"Finding an owner of a given brand boat who meets these needs has
proven to be not always possible. Still, I think it is worth a shot. If I
can't find an owner of specific boat who can supply at least all the
basics, I'll have to pass on including that boat."
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So there it is. Because he would like just a few names, I thought that
anyone who feels they qualify, or if you would like to nominate someone
who meets the qualifications, to email me directly at msog@msog.org. I'll
keep it confidential (unless someone's chosen, then we'll all crow about
it) and pass it on to him. If you have a better procedure, please send it
to the listserv and we'll see what people think is fair. I'm willing to
do whatever the group thinks is right, it's fine with me.
I think the most difficult part is going to be finding someone with a lot
of cruising experience, though perhaps the basics would be enough, as was
mentioned. I mentioned Mike Mann, the M15-to-Hawaii fellow, hence the
possible inclusion of a 15 footer (I think), though the story has been
published, albeit in 1983.
Another thought is to cajole Jerry Montgomery into doing it, but I doubt
if he has the time.
Looking forward to your thoughts,
Doug King
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Doug King
M-17 #404 "Vixen"
Montgomery Sailboats Owners Group Web site:
http://msog.org
Email:
mailto:msog@msog.org