We just bought a 1982 Vintage Montgomery 8 Sailing Dinghy that has been slightly neglected and slightly modified. I am encouraged by the MSOG & web site and the few emails I've already seen. FYI - We've named our little one Coba (the Mayan word for 'Water stirred by Wind'). There wasn't any name or Sail number on her except the Hull Vessel ID # (so no break with 'boat naming' tradition). Other than the daggerboard, she looks complete.

My Background: We are based inland from Santa Cruz, CA in a little town called Scotts Valley. We usually do mostly fresh water boating from here (e.g. Lake Vasona near Los Gatos) to Lake Tahoe or 'wherever' we want to take in some 'more water' such as Clear Lake, Shasta Lake, Lake Naciemento, etc. - some people call it "lookyloo" . Ocassionally we sail on Monterey Bay (e.g. with friends or charter). We have four small boats at the moment, 2 sail (1940 Vintage Snipe in restoration & now the Montgomery 8) and 2 power (aluminum fisher and I/O Bayliner). All trailerable.

I've been on the water since I was a teen (e.g. Sea Explorers w/ 50 ft ex Coast Guard picket ship & whatever). I completed the Coast Guard Aux training years ago. Later I had a fixed keel sailor wet berthed in Moss Landing and enjoyed Monterey Bay, San Francisco Bay & the coastal sailing for many years (before Divorce with Wife #1). In recent years there were too many working hours with clients to justify having a larger boat (7x12 makes it rough to even check on your boat).

FYI - The wife, Pam loves to decorate our home with her Sea Shells (her favorite collection hobby) and Nautical stuff throughout (like a model sailboat on the mantle). One might get the 'bends' in our downstairs bathroom.

My question is about the daggerboard for the Montgomery 8. The previous owner thought the daggerboard was too long for fishing, so he took a saw to it and lopped of a piece. I'd like to either Buy another 'or' make another one to the original spec length. Can anyone tell me who might have one 'or' what length to make the next one??