Hi Tod,
7 weeks is a pretty good while, to be sure. I was thinking it would be
pretty easy to build a dodger/bimini type enclosure with screens and storm
flaps that would make the cockpit into a dry and shady spot to get out of
the elements (when at anchor). I wonder how the Yankee Dolphin would compare
to Busca Brisas? Shoal draft boats that are tough enough to handle rough
weather are not real common it seems. The M 17 is one of the few. The M23
would be nice I'm sure, but probably out of my price range.
Since I camp on the beach at Padre Island when windsurfing I've found that a
respite from the summer sun is required. The last trip the mosquitoes made
life after dark impossible, even with a good breeze. The Sea Pearl 21 lacked
the space to sit and put your feet up and read after dark and circulation
was a bit limited in the heat of the day in the little convertible cabin.
Until I retire the nest boat will have to serve as a floating camper for my
daughter and I on 1 and 2 week trips to the TX coast. The truck and
windsurfing equipment will be on the beach just off the intracoastal water
way and the boat in the shallows a short ways away. We use the boat to
explore the many miles of shallow water till the thermals begin to build and
we have enough wind to sail "fully powered" on the windsurfers (slogging is
tedious when you have to hold the sail up, rather than it holding you up).
I have seen the micro cruising site. Looks like they have a good time
exploring all the neat places a small boat can go. I have been looking for a
similar site about an intrepid M boat sailor to see how he or she handled
the "shortcomings" and how they improved the boat. Perhaps M boat sailors
spend their time on the water rather than writing about it. 8^)
I had a Hobie 21 Sport Cruiser which was a blast to sail, but the tent was
pretty flimsy and sleeping on a tramp doesn't work too well as everyone
winds up in the middle. I think a hard cabin works out better than boom
tents and convertible cabins when the sudden spring squalls appear on the
horizon.
The enthusiastic folks that post on this list certainly make the M boats
seem like the best set of compromises and shortcomings.
Thanks,
Smitty
Windsurfers Do It
Standing Up !
US-842
----- Original Message -----
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: ">Mboats<" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Sunday, July 28, 2002 3:07 PM
Subject: Re: M_Boats: Long M17 Cruise ?
Hi, Smitty
A prior owner of BuscaBrisas once took a 7 week trip from Port Angeles,
Washington up to Bella Coola, BC and back. Does that count? He wrote
a two part story that was published in the MON. He made the trip solo and
the only "shortcoming" he noted was that with all the rain, stuff would get
wet
and there wasn't room enough for a cabin heater and space to hang stuff up
to dry. When he sold the boat, he bought a 24' Yankee Dolphin, which of
course has a different set of drawbacks.
I'd love to spend a summer aboard her but unfortunately it's hard for me to
get
more than a couple weeks at a time.
I suppose you've seen this web page already, but in case you haven't:
http://www.microcruising.com/
This couple cruises the Bahamas a couple months at a time aboard a much
smaller
boat than a 17. Just gotta pretend you're camping.
Tod Mills
M17 #408
"BuscaBrisas"
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