Just to make it clear: All the Montgomery boats prior to 1987 had steel shot for ballast. So if your boat was built before that date, it has steel shot for ballast. You can use a magnet to check. ALSO: All fiberglass centerboards weigh 40 to 50 pounds. Never 75 pounds.! The fiberglass centerboards are identical for the M_15 and the M_17. Same shape and same weight. AlSO: All fiberglass centerboards built before 1987 have steel shot in them. After that date, sometime during 1987, lead shot was used for ballast and for the interior of the 45 pound fiberglass centerboard on all the Montgomery sailboats. Fair winds Bob -----Original Message-----
From: thauser@att.net Sent: Jan 20, 2006 11:24 AM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com>, 'For and about Montgomery Sailboats' <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Cc: "Hughston, Larry" <Larry.Hughston@dgs.ca.gov> Subject: RE: M_Boats: Ospho?
M-owners:
Please include me in CB repair ideas. Our M-15 #175, Kestrel, has her CB jammed. Am planning to jack up next month and try to remove. According to my info, the ballast is/was lead shot but can't confirm. I don't see any rust stains or bleeding from the little I can see up the trunk.
Since the CB weighs about 75#, I will stop by a brass foundry in Salt Lake City and see if they can make a pattern and cut me a solid brass CB. Only maintenance after that will be with Brasso to keep it shiny for the fish to chase after.
Thanks for all the helpful info so far.
Tom _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats