I haven't seen this addressed on the list, but there's only one way (without using a hack saw) to get the boom into the cabin. Push the boom straight into the cabin, all the way to the bow. Then raise the forward end of the boom up to the top of the cabin and swing the after end of the boom to the bottom corner of the hatch. The boom will barely clear the corner. Now, you will have room to lower the front end of the boom and it will fit nicely on the bunk. As far as comparing rigging times and setup times, you have to consider that these are two different things. It all depends on whether you are trying to set a record in rigging the boat, or just trying to determine how long it takes to get the boat into the water and start sailing. You can time rigging the boat while it's sitting in the driveway, but setup is the time you spend getting the boat into the water after you arrive at the launch ramp. I would time the set up operation from the point of parking the tow vehicle. Stowing gear isn't really part of rigging, but it certainly counts toward the time of getting the boat into the water. If you're going for the rigging record, or comparing times with others on the list, I would load the gear, install the motor, unplug the trailer lights, and then time myself from "one foot on the boarding ladder", to "turning the key in the launch vehicle starter". One ironfast rule is that the more people you have helping you with setup, the longer the process takes. Time increases exponentially if you double check helpers' work. If we want to start an official rigging competition, we should organize a committee to draw up a set of rules, including tasks, witnesses, and time penalties based on whether the mast falls off as the boat is backed down the launch ramp. Also, weather should be factored into the competition. Rain, measured in inches per hour, and temperature, measured by heat index in the summer, and wind chill in fall or spring, (winter rigging, while not legal for competition, gets an automatic medal for determination and guts). Also, time credit may have to be awarded depending on whether marital partner sits in tow vehicle, as opposed to standing beside boat giving advice. Until the rules committee submits the final competition rules, everyone giving rigging times on the list should specify how the operation was timed and what tasks are performed in addition to basic boat rigging. Information on weather conditions, parking lot supervisors, non-boating helpers, and marital partner participation should be included. Let the competition begin, Bill Day Seawitch wrote:

Hi all, I was interested in the times posted re: setting up your M15. I haven't really timed myself . When does the timing start? From the moment you park in the lot at the launch ramp? Because at that point you are disconnecting the trailer lights, removing all tie downs from boat to trailer. Setting motor on the motor mount and stowing all the gear that needs to be moved to the boat from the vehicle. Or do you start timing from the moment you board the boat and begin raising the mast, and attaching the rigging? I would think that acurate timing would mean from time you arrive at the ramp til you actually launch into the water. I never leave my main attached to the boom, with it being loose footed, it doesn't seem to save much time. I also am unable to get the boom into the cabin so I stow it on top of the mast secured with bunge's, it rides well there, rode from GA to Utah with no problems.

Thanks to Steve for the metal to metal information. All new to me but very valuable. And thanks to those who have responded regarding the set up of the jiffy reefing. I have all the parts on order and will be making that install very soon. West Marine has an anti seizing product, but it is not the one you guys recommended. Where do you get the Permatec product?

Time for a cool change! Sandra(Seawitch #617) _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats