Grove777@aol.com wrote:

want to make mods to a m 17 to make it easier for an old guy want to convert to a balance lug...approx 143 sqft no standing rigging mast pinned in tall tabernacle just pivot it up motor will be a 7.5 honda 4 stroke this will be a motor sailor of sorts know this might be heresy for somne but...too many friends have died this year not realizing even a small part of their hopes/dreams so...am at the dgas stage even if you don't agree please share your toughts looking forward to interesting dialogue also have a venture 24 am pallning to part out or will sell cheap but no trailer holp[help and hope] g _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats

How will you support this tall tabernacle without stepping thru the deck and to a mast step firmly glassed to the bilge? I used to own Bone's Dhana (shorterned from Sadhana) M23 and had no trouble sailing her into my late 60s though I did use jib downhaul and spring boomvang. I now have a Nonsuch26 catboat with free standing spar stepped solidly to the bilge up forward. I am 77 and have made some concessions to decreasing strength and balance such as wearing a "Mae West" at all times underway, a harness to leave the cockpit and a high torque rechargeable drill to hoist the 47' 430 ft^2 sail. Regards, Dick