--- Brian Granowitz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > 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?
Yes and No. You must have some form of boom crutch to hold the mast in place while you are motoring under the bridge. It would be relatively easy to make one that you would have to put up and down. This would be as much trouble as removing the rudder/tiller and replacing it the the boom crutch made for trailering. It is relatively easy to steer with the motor for short distances so you really don't need the rudder to get under the bridge. Practice first before you try tight quarters. I fly a masthead pennant (called a Nighthawk) and sometimes it gets so fouled on the shrouds and forestay that I have to drop the mast to disentangle it. I have done it a few times with my M15 and the mast is not that heavy. To make it easier you would have to replace the standard swag fitting on the forestay with a pelican hook. > Following are my thoughts on the boat's > requirements: > > MUST HAVE: > - Sail 4 adults The Montgomery 15 will certainly seat 4 adults but sailing with 4 can get awkward at best. One person will almost always be standing in the hatch, one and only one person will be moving side to side on tacks. If you try to keep guests on the high side by having all three people shuffle you have some hilarious stories to tell. How often do you really sail with 4 adults? If this is a primary requirement I would not buy an M15. > WOULD BE NICE: > - Ability to beach I beach my M15 frequently but only if the water depth drops off enough not to cause the CB trunk to ground. Many of the shorelines have very gradual drop offs and you can anchor in shallow water and wade. The M15 does meet all of your other requirements quite nicely. Thanks, Doug Kelch M15 #310 "Seas the Day" __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! - Official partner of 2002 FIFA World Cup http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
