Don,
Congratulations on Sweet Dream! The M15 fits your
criteria to a tee. Your criteria are the same reason
I am able to subdue the bigger boat fever when it
comes.
Three primary things I would recommend.
1. Get a permanently mounted boarding ladder.
The high freeboard in the M15 makes it very
difficult to get into from the water or the beach. I
am sure you will get the urge to walk along those
beautiful beaches in your area. Rope ladders do not
work.
Permanently mounted for that day when a large
fish pulls you off balance and you fall in
unexpectedly. The permanent ladder is an essential
safety feature.
2. Learn how to "heave to". The M15 will foot along
forever when you heave to properly and you can take
care of personal needs, make a lunch, change a lure,
fight the the fish etc with out a worry and all hands
free.
To heave to, swing the boat hard on the wind (45
deg to true wind). Execute a slow tack without
freeing the jib or the main (don't touch the sheets).
Don't complete the full 90 deg tack until most of the
speed is off of the boat. Slowly start to tack back
the other way (don't touch the sheets) and you should
find that the boat will stall (not complete the
tack)with the tiller to leeward. Tie the tiller off to
leeward. The jib should be backwinded at this point,
the main sheeted in near the centerline and the tiller
tied to Leeward. Observe the hands free movement of
the boat and then go about your business.
3. Install jiffy reefing and learn how to use it. I
tried reefing hooks at the tack but they jambed
between the boom and the mast because they are too
big.
Welcome aboard!
Doug Kelch
M15 #310 "Seas the Day"
--- "Ludlow, Don" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Hi:
> I just took delivery of a 2003 model M-15 # 620
> named Sweet Dream.
.
.
> I plan to sail the 40 mile long Mobile Bay and in
> Mississippi sound and
> around the barrier islands in the Gulf of Mexico.
.
.
> clear water and white sand beaches.
..With the
> addition of a rod holder, I plan to do some offshore
> trolling also (Fishing
> is great here).
> Any rigging and handling suggestions would be
> appreciated
> Fair Winds
> Don Ludlow
>
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>
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