Yesterday I finally found time to get my new M17, Dulcibella, out of my sister-in-law's back yard, away from land-locked Gainesville, off the trailer, and into some water. The north Florida drought continues, so we had to tow over to Palatka, on the St. Johns River. In about 12 knots of breeze, gusting to 18 or 20, we enjoyed a good shakedown sail. The rig went up easily, and the launch process was reasonable. With the working jib and full main, Dulcibella was well balanced right out of the box. In the puffs, she was a bit overpowered and showed just the right amount of weather helm, but no excess tendency to round up to windward. The sails fit just right. (Barber-hauling with the lazy sheet made a noticeable improvement to windward.) The only other sailboat nearby was a San Juan 21. She had good looking sails and was well handled, but Dulcibella was clearly faster on a broad reach. Alas, no camera along. I will make some photos next trip and put them on the Web. While I have been working long hours, a rigger added a backstay puller, reefing gear, blocks to lead the halyards to the "single hander kit" cabin-top winches, and a jib downhaul. Next week, a tiller extension. She looks good and should photograph well. The "crunching" sound of the lapstrakes when when slogging to windward in chop was new to me. The hull seemed very solid in the chop, no oilcanning for sure. (Is that an obsolete term? "Oil plastic bottling" doesn't sound quite right.) And, as advertised, she was dry in the chop, with little spray over the bow. Getting the boat back on the trailer was a chore, so next time the trailer tongue extension will be used. It should make a big difference. The rig (Pacific trailer) tows nicely, though my 4.0-liter Ranger knows there is some lead back there. David Fann M17 Dulcibella

Bob, can you tell us more about it? Running lights? Options? Etc.? Bob wrote:

We sold the other 15 and 17 and we have another Montgomery 15 available without waiting. (we keep building no matter what)

If you know anyone that wants this beautiful sister ship to Vince and Sharons Himsl's M_15 let me know.

Heres what she looks like:

http://personal.palouse.net/vhimsl

Call or email.......

Fair winds Bob Montgomeryboats.com

Also we are starting a new 17 hull tommorrow... (949) 489-8227

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