Hi, I have the following question, and a bit of background on why its so important. I would appreciate your opinions.
QUESTION: Is the M15 a boat a person by themselves can EASILY raise and lower the mast on the water with the rudder still in place? BACKGROUND: I have a wonderful problem, free moorage. There is always a but though. The moorage is on a river leading into a lake. At the mouth of the river is a fixed bridge 11 feet from the water line. (A Sunfish would'nt even make it under) To get out to sail and get home I have to step the mast on the water leaving and returning. I will often go out solo, so stepping the mast has to be easily done by a reasonably fit person. I'm not one to drill holes into boats to add things, like shrouds to keep the mast from swinging wildly. I looked at a Catalina 18 the other day, and there is no way I would feel comfortable stepping the mast every time I wanted to go out. The mast was on the heavy side, and there is no standing rigging to provide lateral support as the mast is lowered. I would end up not sailing the boat very often because of this. Following are my thoughts on the boat's requirements: MUST HAVE: - Ability for 1 person to EASILY raise and lower the mast on the water with the rudder in place. - The boat is new or close to new shape - Low maintenance, for a boat (Almost no \ no wood ) - Reasonable performance - Sloop rigged - Keel boat - Draft of 3 ft. or less with keel \ keel-centerboard up - Sail 4 adults - Comfortable seating in cockpit - Sleep 2 adults in the same berth without a post separating them - Cabin with allowance for port-a-pot so women friends have a discrete place to "go" - Full set of running lights - Ability to mount a motor WOULD BE NICE: - Cockpit benches of 6' or more, to lay down - Sitting headroom in cabin ~40" - No keel locker on cabin floor - Ability to beach - Lines all running to the cockpit NOT IMPORTANT - Easy on and off trailering (I won't trailer very often) - Galley (Won't use) You can reach me directly at [EMAIL PROTECTED] FYI - I live in Seattle Thanks, Brian _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
