Re: M_Boats: First test sail - guess I'll be buying a centerboard
In a message dated 1/2/02 5:19:49 PM Central Standard Time, winarski@home.com writes:
The cockpit drains into the centerboard housing. Flushing with lots of water while the centerboard is down should eventually get ride of any accumulation of mud trapped in the box shaped housing through which the drain flows. Once your remove your centerboard you could get at the underside of the drain. It isn't a big opening and it can get partially blocked. Inside the cabin, the bilge does not drain. What you are finding is probably the accumulation of years of dirt - or the grunge deposited through a leak at the backside of the cockpit drain housing. Slapping some fiberglass (or 1,000MPH tape) around the back of that box should stop the leak. A mirror will help you analyze what is going on back there.
I'm surprised the cockpit doesn't drain through the transom on M-15s. In your opinion, is the drain big enough for rough water sailing? IYO, is it feasible to install transom drains for the cockpit and bilge? I think I'm becoming ill with desire to see an M-15 firsthand. Is there anyone out there within 100 miles of Nashville, TN who owns one? Incidentally, what on earth is 1000mph tape? It sounds awefully fast! Steve Tyree, P-15 #2098 "Amy Ann"
Thanks folks for the great info. We got dumped on last night with 8 inches of snow so I won't be checking things out for a while. But I will be ASAP. Dave
I've taken some white caps aboard and the drain handled it with relative ease. Of course, you will want to keep the hatch closed. One of the benefits of owning a Montgomery is that they are well designed to be "dry" sailors. In rough weather I've usually taken more water up through the drain than spray from slapping waves or on a hard heel over the side. One trick I picked up from reading this mail box is to keep a large sponge wedged around the centerboard sheet under the transom. It effectively keeps the back flow under control and permits any cockpit water to escape. The 1000 MPH tape was a stutter - should have been 100 MPH tape. That's a clear very strong and very adhesive tape that will adhere to wet surfaces and hold its grip through "100 MPH". Its a great emergency patch (needs to be cut - can't be torn). I've kept a roll in the boat but have never had to use it after I fiber glassed the leak in my trunk. I'm sure it is long past its prime now. Found it in a Boater's World. I don't remember the brand name and it isn't written on the roll. Sorry. I'll see if I can find a fresh roll and will let you know. Check out Nor'Seas web site at http://www.montgomeryboats.com/ for some good pictures of Montgomery boats. Stan M-15, #177, Carol II
Steve, As small as the hole is the water does drain reasonably well. If I were to do any serious offshore work in an M15 I would put in transom drains. The transom outer hull and the inner wall of the cockpit has a gap of about 1 inch. A couple of 2" holes could be drilled, lined with a PVC pipe with a check valve or flapper an you would be in business. The cockpit floor is not level as it is designed to drain to the centerboard well but plenty of water could get out those big holes in the transom. Doug "Seas the Day"
I'm surprised the cockpit doesn't drain through the transom on M-15s. In your opinion, is the drain big enough for rough water sailing? IYO, is it feasible to install transom drains for the cockpit and bilge? Steve Tyree, P-15 #2098 "Amy Ann"
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participants (4)
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David Rossi -
Doug Kelch -
IDCLLC@aol.com -
Stan Winarski