Hello Randy, We use the same pole on our M17- fully extended- to sail downwind wing and wing and it works well. Our's has the spike on the outboard end and sometimes it pops out of the jib cringle while setting it up unless your mate controls the jib sheet while inserting the spike- however with the pole extended one can stand in the companionway and insert the spike-not always on the first try!- without actually getting a hold on the jib itself and it's really quick to remove. Never had one with a hook on both ends. I installed a "C" shaped plastic 1 inch snap-in tiller clip [WM#545343] forward and the mast ring aft to the inside of the cabin top over on the portside. With one hand I can unclip the hook and pull the pole out, it is easy and quick to stow and is not in the way. Already had a mast ring on the mast so the one that came with the pole was an extra. I mounted the clips inside to the "beams" across the inside of the cabin top- don't know if M15's have these- with a spot of epoxy and S.S. screws so that no holes went thru avoiding potential leaks. We have a Raymarine 45 VHF that works great. Best Wishes, Ron and Cathryn Goodspeed M17 "hula pie" #025

There's not much more to be said about these two so I'll keep it short. Here in the Southwest we have more vertical shoreline than horizontal. We opted for a handheld for the simple reason that when you are anchored in a cove (canyon) for the night all the wattage in the world will not transmit out. I always figured with a handheld someone could hike to the top of ridge and call for help in an emergency. If I was in flat country or sailing the coast I would go for the wattage. As to whisker poles...I have a dinghy style fixed length pole from a Coronado 15. Most dink poles have a single line control so you can dump it from either end in a blow despite having fixed toggles. And, it's very lightweight. When you are sailing down far enough to use a pole the apparent wind can become very light. I have the telescoping Forespar on the bigger boat and even with a much larger genoa there are times when the pole drags the clew down and defeats the purpose. Even the lightest pole from a daysailer would be adequate for most heavy air days as small as the 15 foresails are. If you add a second pad eye and have toggles you can store the pole on the front of the mast and simply pull it down when you need it. If you are rigged for a spin and have a topping lift than you have a few more options, otherwise lighter is better. Steve ----- Original Message ----- From: "Randy Graves" <RandyG@cite.nic.edu> To: <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Sunday, February 23, 2003 7:59 AM Subject: M_Boats: Whisker Pole & VHF Radio Input Needed

M-Sailers,

Am looking to purchase a whisker pole and replacment VHF radio for our M-15, and would appreciate input. For a VHF radio I like the Icom IC-M45 fixed unit. Have gone back and forth between a handheld and fixed unit. Since our M-15 has an electrical system and masthead antenna, I was thinking the fixed unit with upto 25 watts of transmitting power would have an advantage. Any ideas? Other makes & models?

Forespare makes a 1" diameter, 4-8 ft adjustable whisker pole that looks like a good match for an M-15. You can get it with either clamps on both ends or a clamp on one end and a "spike" on the other end. In the past, both poles I used on other boats had the clamps at both ends. Any advantage/disadvantage of the clamp over the spike on the outbound end of the pole? Where do you store a whisker pole on an M-15? Other ideas?

Thanks for all the good reading and help, Randy Graves M-15 #407 Post Falls, ID

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