Charless,
Welcome aboard! Enjoy your new (to you) M15. We also hope you will
become a regular contributor to this group.
FWIW, a couple of thoughts regarding your planned modifications.
1. Removal of the bow pulpit: The bow pulpit adds a measure of safety
when changing headsails and also offers a place to tie down those sails when
you douse them. That foredeck gets pretty small when the wind and waves
force you to make headsail adjustments. The pulpit offers a handy hand
hold. It also affords a temporary resting place for the mast when it is
lowered, as well as a handy place to temporarily attach lights, lines, sail
gaskets, etc. It makes a great tie-off point when raising the mast
single-handed. (Tie a hitch in one end of a line about head-high on the
mast -- or use a jib halyard -- and tie the other end to the pulpit, use
your body weight to tension the line and pull the mast forward, and insert
the forestay pin without requiring the strength of a deck ape.) Perhaps
you should live with the boat awhile before making such a radical change.
Personally, if my M15 didn't have a bow pulpit, I would add one.
2. Locker modification: Check the archives for the same modification
Connie Benneck made to his M15. You might not need to re-invent the wheel.
3. Replacement of wheels/tires: Also check the archives for the
discussion on radial tires. My radials (Sears car radials inflated to 32
psi) offer a better ride, run cooler and add an immense increase in safety.
Joe Kidd M15 #207 "Poco A Poco"
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