DAVID: MY COMMENTS IN ALL CAPS BELOW. In a message dated 1/14/02 8:03:55 AM, David.Rossi@wcom.com writes:

I just read the accounts of Potters turning turtle and as I am new to sailing a smaller center boarder a couple of question came to mind.

1. Does anyone know of an M15 or 17 turning turtle?

I HAVE NOT PERSONALLY HEARD OF SUCH AN OCCURRENCE, BUT DON'T DOUBT THAT IT COULD HAPPEN. I DO HAVE A FRIEND WHO EXPERIENCED A KNOCKDOWN IN HIS M15 (SUDDEN GUST WHILE GROSSLY OVERCANVASED). IN SPITE OF SHIPPING CONSIDERABLE WATER INTO THE COCKPIT, THE BOAT WAS EXTREMELY QUICK TO RECOVER (PROBABLY A COMBINED RESPONSE OF BALLAST AND HIGH BUOYANCY RESULTING FROM THE COMPARATIVELY HIGH AND FULL COCKPIT COMBINGS).

2. Apparently the Potters have some form or center board down locking mechanism. I can understand why this would be important so why do the M's not have that capability? Is it really important?

I BELIEVE THERE ARE SOME PRONOUNCED DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE P15 AND M15 RELATIVE TO THIS QUESTION. THE M15's 250# OF BALLAST IS PRIMARILY CONTAINED WITHIN THE LONG SHOAL DRAFT KEEL (I BELIEVE THE FIBERGLASS CENTERBOARD ONLY WEIGHS IN AT SOMETHING LIKE 40#). I THINK IT IS FAIR TO SAY THAT THE BULK OF THE RIGHTING MOMENT IS DERIVED FROM THE BALLAST IN THIS KEEL, AND NOT THE CENTERBOARD. FOR THIS REASON, I SUSPECT JERRY DID NOT SEE ANY NECESSITY IN ANY TYPE OF LOCK FOR THE CENTERBOARD (WHICH I FIND COMFORTING, AS I LIKE THE FACT THAT THE BOARD WILL PIVOT OUT OF HARM'S WAY). IF I RECALL CORRECTLY, THE P15 ON THE OTHER HAND, RELIES ON A COMBINATION OF THE HARD-CHINED HULL FORM FACTOR, THE LATERAL RESISTANCE OF THE CENTERBOARD, AND 'LIVE BALLAST' (WEIGHT OF CREW). TO THIS EXTENT, I THINK IT FAIR TO CHARACTERIZE THE P15 AS MORE AKIN TO LIVE-BALLASTED DINGHY, AND THE M15 AS MORE OF A REAL KEEL BOAT (ALBEIT A LIVELY ONE).

3. My experience with a center boarder is on a 30 footer with a very heavy keel. I used the center board at about half on a reach and only dropped it all the way when beating. Running it was up. The Potter accounts sound like they felt that the board should be locked down at all times. Is this correct on the M's?

I TOO WAS A BIG BOAT SAILOR PRIOR TO PURCHASING AN M15 (INDEED, MY CHOICE OF THE M15 OVER OTHER SMALL BOATS WAS IN PART BECAUSE IT FELT MORE LIKE A SMALL KEEL BOAT THAN A LARGE DINGHY). I BELIEVE THE M15 IS MORE AKIN TO THE 30 FOOTER THAN IT IS THE P15 IN THIS RESPECT. AGAIN, WITH 1/3 OF IT'S DISPLACEMENT AS BALLAST IN THE KEEL AND NOT THE CENTERBOARD, I BELIEVE THE M15 CAN BE SAFELY SAILED OFF THE WIND WITH THE BOARD UP (I DO THIS ALL THE TIME). I HAVE, ON OCCASION, FORGOTTEN TO LOWER THE BOARD AGAIN WHEN RETURNING TO A CLOSE REACH/BEAT, AND CAN SAY IN ALL HONESTY THAT THE ONLY DIFFERENCE I NOTICED WAS EXCESSIVE LEEWAY. I DON'T THINK THIS WOULD BE TRUE OF THE P15.

On another note, I am considering removing the foam blocks from under the bow to expand storage space. I read the postings on this and couldn't conclude if this was a bad idea. Opinions?

I AM GOING TO BE THE DISSENTING VOICE HERE AND SAY THAT I WOULD *NOT* REMOVE THE FOAM. IT IS A GAMBLE, AND PERHAPS COULD BE WEIGHED IN THE CONTEXT OF HOW AND WHERE YOU USE YOUR BOAT, BUT I FEEL THAT IF I CAN CRUISE FOR THREE WEEKS AND NOT BE WANTING FOR STORAGE SPACE, THERE IS NO REASON TO TRADE AWAY THE POTENTIAL MARGIN OF SAFETY THIS FOAM MIGHT PROVIDE. WHILE I TEND TO SAIL IN FAIRLY TO VERY ROUGH CONDITIONS (SAN FRANCISCO BAY, PUGET SOUND, BRITISH COLUMBIA, ETC.), I HAVE BEEN SURPRISED THAT SOME OF THE MOST HARROWING CONDITIONS I HAVE ENCOUNTERED HAVE BEEN SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED SQUALLS OR WILIWAWS ON SMALL LAKES. TO ME, THE POSITIVE FLOTATION OF THE M15 WAS A BIG SELLING POINT. I DON'T THINK I WOULD HAVE BEEN AS COMFORTABLE UNDERTAKING SOME OF THE TRIPS I HAVE HAD THE FLOTATION BEEN REMOVED.

Thanks for your time and experience,

Dave Rossi

M15-197

THAT'S MY $0.02 WORTH. ALSO, PLEASE DON'T MISCONSTRUE MY COMMENTS AS POTTER BASHING. I AM ONLY MAKING THE COMPARISON FOR PURPOSES OF IDENTIFYING THE DESIGN DIFFERENCES AND THEIR DIFFERING INTENDED PURPOSE. SCOTT GROMETER, M15 #478 "BEBE"