Fw: How sailing is a HUGE part of my life, worth reading!
Hello All, Like Sal I am an older sailor . At 81 I too am looking forward to at least 10 years more on the water in my old M 15.Fair winds. RTH. -----Original Message----- From: SALGLESSER@aol.com Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 10:23 AM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: M_Boats: How sailing is a HUGE part of my life, worth reading! HI Ted, Enjoyed reading your story. We've missed a few seasons for health and/or other reasons, understand the feelings. Great start at your age. Many of us are older. We think of the future in terms of "how many active summers do we have left?" If you're 70, like I am, the realization that I probably have only 10 or so seasons left is an eye opener. Enjoy your sailing interest to the fullest! The M15 is a great boat. Enjoy her. sal In a message dated 6/30/2012 9:48:02 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time, weid0069@umn.edu writes: Hello everyone. First, thanks for all the great help. I love these e-mails and reading all about this awesome boat. I lurk everyday...mostly because I had never sailed my boat till today. So I thought I'd tell you a little bit more about me since you'll probably be hearing (reading) a lot more from me. I am 28 and have been sailing since I was 6 years old. My parents didn't have a lot of money to do vacations so my Dad chased his dream of owning a sailboat and the family turned it into vacations every weekend (Far better than any vacation you can take in my opinion)! We had a chrysler 22, Catalina 25 and currently they have a Niagra 31 on Lake Pepin in Minnesota. Since about the age of 10 I have been the primary helmsman in the family. As I have gotten older it has been harder and harder to get down to my parents boat to sail with my Dad so I have wanted my own sailboat for years. December 2010 I purchased a Monty 15 #115 and eagerly awaited the chance to sail MY boat. That winter I broke my arm so bad it required major surgery and essentially a year of very slow recovery. The injury put me out for the summer of 11' so I had to sit and look at it in my garage. Don't tell anyone but I'd just go an sit in the boat some days...dreaming of sailing it. My recovery has enabled me to sail...FINALLY! Yesterday, when I asked the main sail questions, was the first time I ever raised the mast. Today I believe I identified my problem...first, lubricant helped. Second, I ran the sail up on the stern side of the mast and had the line come down the bow side of the mast. It worked like a dream, hopefully it was rigged correctly. Today...was one of the best days of my life. I launched my own boat and kinda sailed (wind was 2-maybe 4 MPH during "gusts") I had my wife by my side and my Dad, the one who taught me how to sail, sitting right across from me. We did a little more motoring than sailing (had a few gusts) but the highlight of the day was a dream coming true. I love the water, I love boats and most importantly I love SAILING! I worked out a few kinks in the boat which made me grateful for such light wind. I have feverishly been refinishing the wood, added new cushions and I am still working on getting her all shined up and looking pretty. Hopefully Jerry is proud of me...3 years before I was born, my boat was crafted by Jerry and hopefully gave pleasure to many. 31 years later it is being reborn...fulfilling a life long sailer's dream and getting the much needed attention it lacked from previous owners. My wife and I officially named the boat, "Little Guy". It is a nickname for our miniature pincher and fits this boat perfectly. I am so thankful for sailing and the joy it has brought to my life. If it weren't for my Dad teaching me how amazing sailing was I'd be missing out on so much fun, relaxation and inspiration. Thanks for reading to the bottom. Hopefully it was worth it. -Ted
My husband and I are 65 and 70, respectively. We previously owned a Norseman 447, but it was just too much for us financially and physically. We are now contemplating getting an M15 or M17. We live in Sonoma County, and spend summers in the high desert of far northeast California, near various lakes in Oregon. We could also trailer to the Puget Sound/Gulf Islands area. I think an M17 might be best for us, but cannot really get a bead on how difficult it is to do the rigging and handling. Is there a way we could observe someone rigging these boats? Maybe go the Havasu Pocket Cruisers convention? Also, I gather there are ways to make the rigging easier, but have not actually seen examples of the systems in use for raising/rigging the mast. Gail Russell Cedarville CA and Forestville CA -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Robert Hall Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 7:59 AM To: Montgomery Owners Subject: M_Boats: Fw: How sailing is a HUGE part of my life, worth reading! Hello All, Like Sal I am an older sailor . At 81 I too am looking forward to at least 10 years more on the water in my old M 15.Fair winds. RTH.
Gail: I live in Sebastopol, and sail an M15. I would be delighted to show you the boat and rig it for you. We can connect directly if you like. You can see video of my boat on my blog. I have many posts about it there. http://danielsailingandcycling.wordpress.com/ I have a number of posts where I show some of the changes I have made. I have never sailed an M17. Looks like a great boat. But you can't beat the M15 for simplicity, towing, rigging etc. And, she sails just great. Daniel Rich M15 #208 On 7/5/2012 8:04 AM, Gail Russell wrote:
My husband and I are 65 and 70, respectively. We previously owned a Norseman 447, but it was just too much for us financially and physically. We are now contemplating getting an M15 or M17. We live in Sonoma County, and spend summers in the high desert of far northeast California, near various lakes in Oregon. We could also trailer to the Puget Sound/Gulf Islands area.
I think an M17 might be best for us, but cannot really get a bead on how difficult it is to do the rigging and handling. Is there a way we could observe someone rigging these boats? Maybe go the Havasu Pocket Cruisers convention?
Also, I gather there are ways to make the rigging easier, but have not actually seen examples of the systems in use for raising/rigging the mast.
Gail Russell Cedarville CA and Forestville CA
-----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Robert Hall Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 7:59 AM To: Montgomery Owners Subject: M_Boats: Fw: How sailing is a HUGE part of my life, worth reading!
Hello All, Like Sal I am an older sailor . At 81 I too am looking forward to at least 10 years more on the water in my old M 15.Fair winds. RTH.
Hi Daniel, I had looked at your blog before. We would love to meet you and Kestrel. Right now we are in Cedarville, but we might be back for a week or so in late July/early august. I will contact you when I know what we are doing. In the meantime, I will look more closely at your blog. Thank you so much for replying. Gail -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Daniel Rich Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 8:35 AM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: M_Boats: Fw: How sailing is a HUGE part of my life, worth reading! Gail: I live in Sebastopol, and sail an M15. I would be delighted to show you the boat and rig it for you. We can connect directly if you like. You can see video of my boat on my blog. I have many posts about it there. http://danielsailingandcycling.wordpress.com/ I have a number of posts where I show some of the changes I have made. I have never sailed an M17. Looks like a great boat. But you can't beat the M15 for simplicity, towing, rigging etc. And, she sails just great. Daniel Rich M15 #208 On 7/5/2012 8:04 AM, Gail Russell wrote:
My husband and I are 65 and 70, respectively. We previously owned a Norseman 447, but it was just too much for us financially and physically. We are now contemplating getting an M15 or M17. We live in Sonoma County, and spend summers in the high desert of far northeast California, near various lakes in Oregon. We could also trailer to the Puget Sound/Gulf Islands area.
I think an M17 might be best for us, but cannot really get a bead on how difficult it is to do the rigging and handling. Is there a way we could observe someone rigging these boats? Maybe go the Havasu Pocket Cruisers convention?
Also, I gather there are ways to make the rigging easier, but have not actually seen examples of the systems in use for raising/rigging the mast.
Gail Russell Cedarville CA and Forestville CA
-----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Robert Hall Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 7:59 AM To: Montgomery Owners Subject: M_Boats: Fw: How sailing is a HUGE part of my life, worth reading!
Hello All, Like Sal I am an older sailor . At 81 I too am looking forward to at least 10 years more on the water in my old M 15.Fair winds. RTH.
No problem. I will be gone the last week of July, but around the first week of August for sure. D On 7/5/2012 8:51 AM, Gail Russell wrote:
Hi Daniel,
I had looked at your blog before. We would love to meet you and Kestrel. Right now we are in Cedarville, but we might be back for a week or so in late July/early august. I will contact you when I know what we are doing. In the meantime, I will look more closely at your blog. Thank you so much for replying.
Gail
-----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Daniel Rich Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 8:35 AM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: M_Boats: Fw: How sailing is a HUGE part of my life, worth reading!
Gail:
I live in Sebastopol, and sail an M15. I would be delighted to show you the boat and rig it for you. We can connect directly if you like. You can see video of my boat on my blog. I have many posts about it there. http://danielsailingandcycling.wordpress.com/ I have a number of posts where I show some of the changes I have made. I have never sailed an M17. Looks like a great boat. But you can't beat the M15 for simplicity, towing, rigging etc. And, she sails just great.
Daniel Rich M15 #208
On 7/5/2012 8:04 AM, Gail Russell wrote:
My husband and I are 65 and 70, respectively. We previously owned a Norseman 447, but it was just too much for us financially and physically. We are now contemplating getting an M15 or M17. We live in Sonoma County, and spend summers in the high desert of far northeast California, near various lakes in Oregon. We could also trailer to the Puget Sound/Gulf Islands area.
I think an M17 might be best for us, but cannot really get a bead on how difficult it is to do the rigging and handling. Is there a way we could observe someone rigging these boats? Maybe go the Havasu Pocket Cruisers convention?
Also, I gather there are ways to make the rigging easier, but have not actually seen examples of the systems in use for raising/rigging the mast.
Gail Russell Cedarville CA and Forestville CA
-----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Robert Hall Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 7:59 AM To: Montgomery Owners Subject: M_Boats: Fw: How sailing is a HUGE part of my life, worth reading!
Hello All, Like Sal I am an older sailor . At 81 I too am looking forward to at least 10 years more on the water in my old M 15.Fair winds. RTH.
Gail: Sean's HPCC is the best location to see the most trailerable pocket cruisers in the country. another event that will have a good number of boats 'near you and soon' is the Cruiser Challenge the weekend of 13 July at Monterey Bay. about 1/2 of the boats rig/launch on friday 13 July (which is when i am launching). the other half launch on saturday morning before the captain's meeting. most folks retrieve their boats on sunday morning and head for home. :: Dave Scobie :: former M15 owner - www.freewebs.com/m15-named-scred :: M17 #375 SWEET PEA - www.m17-375.webs.com --- On Thu, 7/5/12, Gail Russell <gail@zeliga.com> wrote:
My husband and I are 65 and 70, respectively. We previously owned a Norseman 447, but it was just too much for us financially and physically. We are now contemplating getting an M15 or M17. We live in Sonoma County, and spend summers in the high desert of far northeast California, near various lakes in Oregon. We could also trailer to the Puget Sound/Gulf Islands area.
I think an M17 might be best for us, but cannot really get a bead on how difficult it is to do the rigging and handling. Is there a way we could observe someone rigging these boats? Maybe go the Havasu Pocket Cruisers convention?
Also, I gather there are ways to make the rigging easier, but have not actually seen examples of the systems in use for raising/rigging the mast.
Gail Russell Cedarville CA and Forestville CA
If you're just sailing or maybe even an overnight, I'd suggest an M15 - easy to launch and rig, 1/2 hr, I'm 72. For longer trips and more comfort an M17 would be better, a liitle longer to rig/launch, and heavier. -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Gail Russell Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 11:05 AM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: Re: M_Boats: Fw: How sailing is a HUGE part of my life, worth reading! My husband and I are 65 and 70, respectively. We previously owned a Norseman 447, but it was just too much for us financially and physically. We are now contemplating getting an M15 or M17. We live in Sonoma County, and spend summers in the high desert of far northeast California, near various lakes in Oregon. We could also trailer to the Puget Sound/Gulf Islands area. I think an M17 might be best for us, but cannot really get a bead on how difficult it is to do the rigging and handling. Is there a way we could observe someone rigging these boats? Maybe go the Havasu Pocket Cruisers convention? Also, I gather there are ways to make the rigging easier, but have not actually seen examples of the systems in use for raising/rigging the mast. Gail Russell Cedarville CA and Forestville CA -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Robert Hall Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 7:59 AM To: Montgomery Owners Subject: M_Boats: Fw: How sailing is a HUGE part of my life, worth reading! Hello All, Like Sal I am an older sailor . At 81 I too am looking forward to at least 10 years more on the water in my old M 15.Fair winds. RTH.
Gail, The Havasu Pocket Cruisers Convention is of course the world's best place to observe M17 rigging, since one boat or another is going in the water almost constantly for at least a couple of days. If you are in a hurry, we currently have our boat in June Lake in Mono County, and I would be happy to show and tell about rigging. I am 71 and my wife is 68, so I have put a lot of thought into getting the mast up without undue effort and drama. Tom Jenkins 2004 M17 Scintilla Gail Russell wrote:
My husband and I are 65 and 70, respectively. We previously owned a Norseman 447, but it was just too much for us financially and physically. We are now contemplating getting an M15 or M17. We live in Sonoma County, and spend summers in the high desert of far northeast California, near various lakes in Oregon. We could also trailer to the Puget Sound/Gulf Islands area.
I think an M17 might be best for us, but cannot really get a bead on how difficult it is to do the rigging and handling. Is there a way we could observe someone rigging these boats? Maybe go the Havasu Pocket Cruisers convention?
Also, I gather there are ways to make the rigging easier, but have not actually seen examples of the systems in use for raising/rigging the mast.
Gail Russell Cedarville CA and Forestville CA
-----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Robert Hall Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 7:59 AM To: Montgomery Owners Subject: M_Boats: Fw: How sailing is a HUGE part of my life, worth reading!
Hello All, Like Sal I am an older sailor . At 81 I too am looking forward to at least 10 years more on the water in my old M 15.Fair winds. RTH.
I can't vouch for the M15 but I have no complaints about my M17. The most common remark I get from people is "that's the biggest 17 foot boat I've ever seen" referring to the cockpit and the cabin. It's a pleasure for 2 for a few nights. And she sails great. I prefer to have someone serve as an extra pair of eyes when I raise the mast. Just to make sure I don't snag a shroud or stay and to make sure the shroud turnbuckles are lined up properly. I attach a 4:1 purchase to the jib sheet so it makes it easy as pie to control the raising and lowering. Joe SeaFrog M17 ----- Original Message ----- From: Gail Russell To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 11:04 AM Subject: Re: M_Boats: Fw: How sailing is a HUGE part of my life, worth reading! My husband and I are 65 and 70, respectively. We previously owned a Norseman 447, but it was just too much for us financially and physically. We are now contemplating getting an M15 or M17. We live in Sonoma County, and spend summers in the high desert of far northeast California, near various lakes in Oregon. We could also trailer to the Puget Sound/Gulf Islands area. I think an M17 might be best for us, but cannot really get a bead on how difficult it is to do the rigging and handling. Is there a way we could observe someone rigging these boats? Maybe go the Havasu Pocket Cruisers convention? Also, I gather there are ways to make the rigging easier, but have not actually seen examples of the systems in use for raising/rigging the mast. Gail Russell Cedarville CA and Forestville CA -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Robert Hall Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 7:59 AM To: Montgomery Owners Subject: M_Boats: Fw: How sailing is a HUGE part of my life, worth reading! Hello All, Like Sal I am an older sailor . At 81 I too am looking forward to at least 10 years more on the water in my old M 15.Fair winds. RTH.
Joe, Do you mean the jib halyard? I can't visualize a tackle on the jib sheet relative to mast raising. Until recently, I ran my 4:1 tackle from the bow pulpit or trailer mast support to the jib halyard shackle (with the halyard cleated off). I raised the mast to outstretched arm height while standing on the cockpit seats near the mainsheet tackle, after which the tackle was strong enough to raise the mast to vertical. It was a bear when something fouled, since lowering the mast again is a hassle. Now I use a 6' gin pole strapped to the mast about two feet from the bottom end, and the upper end joins the tackle and the jib halyard as before. Now I can raise the mast easily from the stern support with one hand running the tackle and the other steadying the mast. To avoid possible mast swaying in the wind, I have now attached some light guys to steady the rig, one from the jib halyard eye strap to the chainplates on both sides, and one from the gin pole top to the wooden handholds on each side. Now getting older might not be fun, but sailing is still an option without deck apes onboard. Tom On Jul 5, 2012, at 10:53 AM, Joe Murphy wrote:
I can't vouch for the M15 but I have no complaints about my M17. The most common remark I get from people is "that's the biggest 17 foot boat I've ever seen" referring to the cockpit and the cabin. It's a pleasure for 2 for a few nights. And she sails great. I prefer to have someone serve as an extra pair of eyes when I raise the mast. Just to make sure I don't snag a shroud or stay and to make sure the shroud turnbuckles are lined up properly. I attach a 4:1 purchase to the jib sheet so it makes it easy as pie to control the raising and lowering. Joe SeaFrog M17 ----- Original Message ----- From: Gail Russell To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 11:04 AM Subject: Re: M_Boats: Fw: How sailing is a HUGE part of my life, worth reading!
My husband and I are 65 and 70, respectively. We previously owned a Norseman 447, but it was just too much for us financially and physically. We are now contemplating getting an M15 or M17. We live in Sonoma County, and spend summers in the high desert of far northeast California, near various lakes in Oregon. We could also trailer to the Puget Sound/Gulf Islands area.
I think an M17 might be best for us, but cannot really get a bead on how difficult it is to do the rigging and handling. Is there a way we could observe someone rigging these boats? Maybe go the Havasu Pocket Cruisers convention?
Also, I gather there are ways to make the rigging easier, but have not actually seen examples of the systems in use for raising/rigging the mast.
Gail Russell Cedarville CA and Forestville CA
-----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Robert Hall Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 7:59 AM To: Montgomery Owners Subject: M_Boats: Fw: How sailing is a HUGE part of my life, worth reading!
Hello All, Like Sal I am an older sailor . At 81 I too am looking forward to at least 10 years more on the water in my old M 15.Fair winds. RTH.
Tom, Yes. Thanks for the correction. I meant the jib halyard. I also made my mast support at the stern about 5' off the stern to give me some more angle to hoist the mast. So far I haven't needed a vertical pole, like the gin pole you suggested. But it won't be much longer before I need all the help (and gizmos) I can find to get the job done. Thanks, Joe ----- Original Message ----- From: Tom Jenkins To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 3:10 PM Subject: Re: M_Boats: Fw: How sailing is a HUGE part of my life,worth reading! Joe, Do you mean the jib halyard? I can't visualize a tackle on the jib sheet relative to mast raising. Until recently, I ran my 4:1 tackle from the bow pulpit or trailer mast support to the jib halyard shackle (with the halyard cleated off). I raised the mast to outstretched arm height while standing on the cockpit seats near the mainsheet tackle, after which the tackle was strong enough to raise the mast to vertical. It was a bear when something fouled, since lowering the mast again is a hassle. Now I use a 6' gin pole strapped to the mast about two feet from the bottom end, and the upper end joins the tackle and the jib halyard as before. Now I can raise the mast easily from the stern support with one hand running the tackle and the other steadying the mast. To avoid possible mast swaying in the wind, I have now attached some light guys to steady the rig, one from the jib halyard eye strap to the chainplates on both sides, and one from the gin pole top to the wooden handholds on each side. Now getting older might not be fun, but sailing is still an option without deck apes onboard. Tom On Jul 5, 2012, at 10:53 AM, Joe Murphy wrote:
I can't vouch for the M15 but I have no complaints about my M17. The most common remark I get from people is "that's the biggest 17 foot boat I've ever seen" referring to the cockpit and the cabin. It's a pleasure for 2 for a few nights. And she sails great. I prefer to have someone serve as an extra pair of eyes when I raise the mast. Just to make sure I don't snag a shroud or stay and to make sure the shroud turnbuckles are lined up properly. I attach a 4:1 purchase to the jib sheet so it makes it easy as pie to control the raising and lowering. Joe SeaFrog M17 ----- Original Message ----- From: Gail Russell To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 11:04 AM Subject: Re: M_Boats: Fw: How sailing is a HUGE part of my life, worth reading!
My husband and I are 65 and 70, respectively. We previously owned a Norseman 447, but it was just too much for us financially and physically. We are now contemplating getting an M15 or M17. We live in Sonoma County, and spend summers in the high desert of far northeast California, near various lakes in Oregon. We could also trailer to the Puget Sound/Gulf Islands area.
I think an M17 might be best for us, but cannot really get a bead on how difficult it is to do the rigging and handling. Is there a way we could observe someone rigging these boats? Maybe go the Havasu Pocket Cruisers convention?
Also, I gather there are ways to make the rigging easier, but have not actually seen examples of the systems in use for raising/rigging the mast.
Gail Russell Cedarville CA and Forestville CA
-----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Robert Hall Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 7:59 AM To: Montgomery Owners Subject: M_Boats: Fw: How sailing is a HUGE part of my life, worth reading!
Hello All, Like Sal I am an older sailor . At 81 I too am looking forward to at least 10 years more on the water in my old M 15.Fair winds. RTH.
participants (7)
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August Trometer -
Daniel Rich -
Gail Russell -
Joe Murphy -
Robert Hall -
Tom Jenkins -
W David Scobie