LOL - different strokes for different folks. As I approach the top of the hill I up-sized :-) I have cruised my M15 extensively for several years and the damp and cold Pacific NW and the cold desert nights in the West are getting to me. So I opted for creature comfort and ease of launching. Due to $ limitations I decided to defer buying my first choice of the Sage until there is a used market. Someone needs to outsail Jerry in this Sage and I will make him an offer just after the loss :-). I opted for an 18 1/2 foot Sandpiper for its open interior, shallow draft (10", beachable), 3/4 rig with no back stay, and low position on the trailer. I will try the 4 part block and tackle off of high pole on the front of the trailer for the mast raising. When I look at the M17 or Sage on its trailer the deck is way up there. I have fallen off of my M15 in the driveway and that hurt enough. I would hate to take a tumble from way up there. The Sandpiper deck is a good 3 ft closer to the ground than the M17 when on the trailer. Thanks Doug ________________________________ From: Bill Ahrens <billahrens@comcast.net> To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Fri, May 27, 2011 11:02:00 AM Subject: Re: M_Boats: Setting Up the M-17 There is some question where the crest of the hill is.. some go over earlier than others. Bill Ahrens Race Chairman Emeritus Tucson Sailing Club -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Stan Susman Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2011 10:57 PM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: Re: M_Boats: Setting Up the M-17 I am not yet over the hill, however I am climbing the hill and I can clearly see the top. With that in mind it's clear to me that rigging a boat over 16' needs to be easier or I will not be able to enjoy time on Golden Pond so to speak. I believe there are existing technology's that will allow some of us old and semi old farts to continue to enjoy this pastime for a long time and on top of that I don't think we need to give up any current or even future performance improvements. So stand by, I'll probably break a few parts here or there feeling my way through this, but I think I'll end up with one of the easiest boats to rig, and launch and also have one of the fastest M-17s on earth. I know, my boat should be shinny by now, but I'm still cutting and bonding crap on. So with limited time at hand I will continue toward this goal and all the support I need is for some of my friends to say, Hey how's it coming.... And that's the end of my little story Stan --- On Thu, 5/26/11, Tom Smith <openboatt@gmail.com> wrote: From: Tom Smith <openboatt@gmail.com> Subject: Re: M_Boats: Setting Up the M-17 To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Thursday, May 26, 2011, 12:43 PM The fastest way to set up an M17 is to trade it for an M15. The M17, no matter how you set it up, is not the easiest boat to launch and retrieve. The M15, on the other hand, is a dream. tjs _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats When posting, remember that there is no privacy on the Internet! _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats When posting, remember that there is no privacy on the Internet! ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1375 / Virus Database: 1509/3662 - Release Date: 05/26/11 _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats When posting, remember that there is no privacy on the Internet!