I have been considering the purchase of an older (early-mid 80s) Montgomery 15 but have been put off thus far by some of the reports of problems with the steel ballast. Can anyone help calibrate these concerns by saying how widespread and how severe these problems are? Do they occur in all steel-ballasted M-15s as they age, or only those that have been kept in the water most of the time? Does it represent a minor inconvenience that can tolerated, or a downright risk of the keel coming apart? Are there measures that can be taken to prevent or remedy the problem, short of major surgery? Your collective wisdom would be appreciated. Thanks. The new guy.
Don, I haven't had any problems with my '81 M15. The deck is sound, the keel solid and the board is loose and bangs around in its slot. But, she's been dry sailed and kept under cover or indoors virtually her whole life. Bill Riker M15 - #184 Storm Petrel ----- Original Message ----- From: "Don Stickels" <dstickels1@earthlink.net> To: <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 7:08 PM Subject: M_Boats: M-15 Ballast
I have been considering the purchase of an older (early-mid 80s) Montgomery 15 but have been put off thus far by some of the reports of problems with the steel ballast. Can anyone help calibrate these concerns by saying how widespread and how severe these problems are? Do they occur in all steel-ballasted M-15s as they age, or only those that have been kept in the water most of the time? Does it represent a minor inconvenience that can tolerated, or a downright risk of the keel coming apart? Are there measures that can be taken to prevent or remedy the problem, short of major surgery? Your collective wisdom would be appreciated. Thanks. The new guy.
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Don, Both our former 1988 M15 and current M17 have steel ballast with the fiberglass/lead centerboard. Neither boat has had issues with the ballast in the combined 16 years we have owned them. One thing that I was cautioned on, and would pass along, is the check/maintain the joint at the bottom of the keel where the hull and centerboard cavity join. I may not be describing it right, but at the very bottom of the keel, on the inside ledge of the center board houseding, is the joint I am referring to. The join runs the circumference of the centerboard cavity at the bottom and has reasonably good access for inspection. I think this would be the most likely place for water to enter the ballast, if it should. If water does enter the steel ballast the ballast will likely swell and pinch the centerboard. There in not a lot of clearance between the centerboard and the cavity that houses it, may 1/4 at the most on each side. We did replace the centerboard on our M17 due to damage from the trailer.... not too difficult of a job. Randy Graves M17 #410 On Mon, Jul 27, 2009 at 6:08 PM, Don Stickels<dstickels1@earthlink.net> wrote:
I have been considering the purchase of an older (early-mid 80s) Montgomery 15 but have been put off thus far by some of the reports of problems with the steel ballast. Can anyone help calibrate these concerns by saying how widespread and how severe these problems are? Do they occur in all steel-ballasted M-15s as they age, or only those that have been kept in the water most of the time? Does it represent a minor inconvenience that can tolerated, or a downright risk of the keel coming apart? Are there measures that can be taken to prevent or remedy the problem, short of major surgery? Your collective wisdom would be appreciated. Thanks. The new guy.
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the centerboard in the older M15s is steel wrapped in fiberglass. issues of stuck centerboards are reported. these are RARE. these come in boats that are wet stored for LONG periods of time. these boats are also lacking in basic maintenance. don't confuse the M15 and the older M17 'steel' issues. the 'classic' M17's cast iron centerboard is just that CAST IRON with a bit of paint. the M15's centerboard steel is much more protected. my M15 had (well she still has, but no longer my boat) steel ballast and centerboard. both were fine. if my memory serves the new M15/M17 (the centerboards are the same) boards are thinnner than the older design. if one has a problem you could always just by a new board from bob. don't run away from a steel ballast/centerboard M15. if everything looks and moves OK you are likely not every going to have a problem. again, stuck centerboards are RARE on the older 15s. dave scobie M17 #375 - SWEET PEA visit SWEET PEA's www-site- http://www.m17-375.webs.com --- On Mon, 7/27/09, Don Stickels <dstickels1@earthlink.net> wrote: I have been considering the purchase of an older (early-mid 80s) Montgomery 15 but have been put off thus far by some of the reports of problems with the steel ballast. Can anyone help calibrate these concerns by saying how widespread and how severe these problems are? Do they occur in all steel-ballasted M-15s as they age, or only those that have been kept in the water most of the time? Does it represent a minor inconvenience that can tolerated, or a downright risk of the keel coming apart? Are there measures that can be taken to prevent or remedy the problem, short of major surgery? Your collective wisdom would be appreciated. Thanks. The new guy.
Don't consider a 15 with steel. It cost more to fix the problem than the boat is worth check this link http://picasaweb.google.com/jascopacific/M15KeelRepair# but I would'nt part with the Pelican Captain Jim -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+jimsadler=jascopacific.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+jimsadler=jascopacific.com@mailman.xmission .com] On Behalf Of Don Stickels Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 6:08 PM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: M-15 Ballast I have been considering the purchase of an older (early-mid 80s) Montgomery 15 but have been put off thus far by some of the reports of problems with the steel ballast. Can anyone help calibrate these concerns by saying how widespread and how severe these problems are? Do they occur in all steel-ballasted M-15s as they age, or only those that have been kept in the water most of the time? Does it represent a minor inconvenience that can tolerated, or a downright risk of the keel coming apart? Are there measures that can be taken to prevent or remedy the problem, short of major surgery? Your collective wisdom would be appreciated. Thanks. The new guy. _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats Remember, there is no privacy on the Internet!
saying no to steel M15s is CRAZY! the issue as linked are SO RARE. the 'steel issue' is OVERSTATED. if looking at an older boat get it's history - LONG TIME wet stored? how well maintained? when one talks about older boats you are likely to have these issue: old blow out sails (about $1200 to replace main & jib), old outboard (about $1000 for a new Honda 2HP), trailer tires and hubs (about $400). you then have the standing and running rigging ... cabin cushions ... rebedding the deck hardware ... dave scobie M17 #375 - SWEET PEA visit SWEET PEA's www-site - http://www.m17-375.webs.com --- On Tue, 7/28/09, Jim Sadler <jimsadler@jascopacific.com> wrote: Don't consider a 15 with steel. It cost more to fix the problem than the boat is worth check this link http://picasaweb.google.com/jascopacific/M15KeelRepair# but I would'nt part with the Pelican Captain Jim -----Original Message----- Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 6:08 PM I have been considering the purchase of an older (early-mid 80s) Montgomery 15 but have been put off thus far by some of the reports of problems with the steel ballast. Can anyone help calibrate these concerns by saying how widespread and how severe these problems are? Do they occur in all steel-ballasted M-15s as they age, or only those that have been kept in the water most of the time? Does it represent a minor inconvenience that can tolerated, or a downright risk of the keel coming apart? Are there measures that can be taken to prevent or remedy the problem, short of major surgery? Your collective wisdom would be appreciated. Thanks. The new guy.
I guess I was one of the unlucky ones with my steel keel. To put it another way If two identical M-15 were for sale for the same price I would buy the one with the lead ballast and keel. Captain Jim -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Jim Sadler Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 8:57 AM To: 'Don Stickels'; 'For and about Montgomery Sailboats' Subject: Re: M_Boats: M-15 Ballast Don't consider a 15 with steel. It cost more to fix the problem than the boat is worth check this link http://picasaweb.google.com/jascopacific/M15KeelRepair# but I would'nt part with the Pelican Captain Jim -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+jimsadler=jascopacific.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+jimsadler=jascopacific.com@mailman.xmission .com] On Behalf Of Don Stickels Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 6:08 PM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: M-15 Ballast I have been considering the purchase of an older (early-mid 80s) Montgomery 15 but have been put off thus far by some of the reports of problems with the steel ballast. Can anyone help calibrate these concerns by saying how widespread and how severe these problems are? Do they occur in all steel-ballasted M-15s as they age, or only those that have been kept in the water most of the time? Does it represent a minor inconvenience that can tolerated, or a downright risk of the keel coming apart? Are there measures that can be taken to prevent or remedy the problem, short of major surgery? Your collective wisdom would be appreciated. Thanks. The new guy. _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats Remember, there is no privacy on the Internet! _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats Remember, there is no privacy on the Internet!
Hi Don, I have one of the 88' model M-15 with the steel ballast and have had no problems. The boat has been dry stored it's whole life to my knowledge. Either way my sense is the majority of the steel ballast boats have no problems. That said, all things being equal you got to go with the lead ballast when given the choice - that just makes sense. I wouldn't let steel be a deal killer though if the boat has been well cared for. -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+jason=hausmansmith.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+jason=hausmansmith.com@mailman.xmission.com ] On Behalf Of Don Stickels Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 6:08 PM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: M-15 Ballast I have been considering the purchase of an older (early-mid 80s) Montgomery 15 but have been put off thus far by some of the reports of problems with the steel ballast. Can anyone help calibrate these concerns by saying how widespread and how severe these problems are? Do they occur in all steel-ballasted M-15s as they age, or only those that have been kept in the water most of the time? Does it represent a minor inconvenience that can tolerated, or a downright risk of the keel coming apart? Are there measures that can be taken to prevent or remedy the problem, short of major surgery? Your collective wisdom would be appreciated. Thanks. The new guy. _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats Remember, there is no privacy on the Internet!
participants (6)
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Don Stickels -
Jason A. Smith -
Jim Sadler -
R.K.Graves -
W David Scobie -
William B Riker