I'm with Doug. Good idea to have a permanent user friendly boarding ladder on a small sailboat. It can be very difficult to get back onto a small sailboat if one falls off. Clothing, shock, etc. all make it harder to get back onboard. Just placing your foot into the lowest rung of the ladder can be difficult. On the Sage 17, a boarding ladder is standard equipment as we believe it is a life saving piece of equipment. sal In a message dated 12/17/2013 9:01:51 A.M. Mountain Standard Time, doug1kelch@gmail.com writes: Kevin, Put in a permanent swim ladder as it is an essential safety item. If you ever fall overboard you cannot get back on board without it. In the cold spring waters where you sail hypothermia is deadly within a very short time. You are incapcitated well before you die, thus ensuring your death. :-) If you want, I can send you instructions on how to install a transom mounted ladder without cutting large holes and installing inspection ports. Thanks Doug Kelch Seas the Day M15 G #310 Doug On Mon, Dec 16, 2013 at 8:32 PM, stevetrapp <stevetrapp@q.com> wrote:
Kevin, I managed to lift my M-15 off the trailer using a 4X4 aft of the keel/center board housing, a floor jack and jack stands. Next time I will pay the fee for the boat lift at the local boat yard. I think West Marine (the big box store for boat stuff on the West Coast) carries a rope ladder that be tossed over the transom so you will not need to drill holes in your M-15. Set your hook before go swimming, my M-15 drifted on the current faster than I could keep up to swimming, and I was a triathalon swimmer at the time. Good luck Steve M-15 # 335
----- Original Message ----- From: "Kearns, Kevin P" <kkearns@pitt.edu> To: <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Monday, December 16, 2013 11:55 AM Subject: M_Boats: New Member
Hi Everyone,
In the spring I purchased a 1993 Montgomery 15 in near mint condition. I enjoyed sailing her all summer on Lake Arthur about 40 miles north of Pittsburgh. I've sailed nearly all my life and have owned several boats (Flying Scot, C Scow, Capri 22, O'Day Daysailer, Compac 16). I'm really very pleased with the M-15. She is all that I hoped for and more. I'm looking forward to following posts on the forum and learning more about my boat.
I have two questions:
1. I'd like to raise the boat off the trailer (just a few inches would do) to apply antifouling paint to the portion of the hull that rests on the trailer bunks. I saw a few pictures that involved lifting the entire trailer, then bracing the boat and dropping the trailer. I don't feel comfortable doing that. Does anyone have another idea? I may just go to a marina and rent a lift.
2. I want to swim off the boat, but I'm really reluctant to drill holes in the transom for a permanent swim ladder. Can anyone recommend one of those removable ladders that hook over the rear coaming?
Thanks. As I look out my office window at the grey Pittsburgh winter, my thoughts turn to sailing.
Best wishes, Kevin Kearns Pittsburgh, PA
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