In the past few years, I've purchased 4 new headsails and a new main. My storm jib came from Ullman, San Diego. (Tom) http://www.ullmansails.com/lofts.html#sandiego My new 155 genny and asymmetrical spinnaker came from Elliot-Pattison, who I believe is Bob's sailmaker at present: http://www.epsails.com/ My full batten main and working jib came from Kern Ferguson, who I understood has retired and is no longer making sails. Out of all of them, I think the Ullman sail was the best built, best performing. Even so, Since I've owned the boat, I've gotten the best performance out of my original Reggie Armstrong main and working jib. Right up to the point the 20 year old sails blew out (literally). I still have them and would love to find someone to make me an exact replica....same size, same cut, same reinforcement points, etc. With the old RA sails, I can remember being out in a good breeze with occasional whitecaps breaking and flying the full main and jib and doing 5.5 knots plus, going to weather, and heeled to maybe 15 degrees. With my current setup, I heel more at less speed and never get much over 5 knots to weather. A big part of it is the Kern sails are higher profile and I think cut flatter. The working jib goes all the way to the masthead and the main has some additional roach in it. It will hang on the backstay in light air. On a related note, I was out over the weekend and flying the 155 and full main in light to moderate air (5 to 10 knots). I was sailing with a smaller boat and trying to slow down, I didn't crank the genny in tight and left the main soft (front half luffing). The slowing down part didn't work. I was sailing flat and doing 4 knots plus to weather and she was pointing nearly as high as ever. The lesson was to sail her "freed" up a bit.....I wasn't pointing as high, but with more speed and less leeway, I got to weather faster. Howard M17, #278 Audasea On Jul 9, 2007, at 7:41 AM, brian gilbert wrote:

Hi All:

Here's a request for opinions for those of you who have replaced sails... who is your favorite sailmaker who does mail-orders? (no local sailmakers in Chattanooga, TN)

I need to replace at least my main and possibly a jib as well. I've ordered from SailsEast before... the price was really good, and the cut and shape were fine, but the finish and handwork was pretty minimal. I'd prefer to spend a little more and get a well-built, longer lasting cruising sail. I'm wondering who else I should seek quotes from.

Thanks very much BG

-- Brian Gilbert Author, Fix It And Sail, The Complete Trailer-Sailor Marine Media 3404 Hartford Dr Chattanooga, TN 37415 www.sailingsmall.com

From: montgomery_boats-request@mailman.xmission.com Reply-To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Date: Sun, 08 Jul 2007 21:44:18 -0600 To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: montgomery_boats Digest, Vol 53, Issue 6

Hi Tom,

I've raised my M17 off the trailer bunks using a floor jack and a cushioning 2" x 6" piece of lumber under the keel. Worked fine.

Bones

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