Congratulations Rick on your new and improved toy! Now the fun begins, but first you have to go through the "learning curve" and become familiar with how to raise the mast and take it down; how all the rigging functions; - and most important of all - remember to have the centerboard UP and cleated when putting the boat back on the trailer................
Make yourself a sign: "C/B UP on Retrieve" until it is second nature. Hatch boards: As I told you I rebuilt mine using teak plywood, and added a vent louver in the top board that I bought at WEST. Fore deck vent: I have a Nicro Low Profile vent, but one of the Nicro flush vents (solar powered) may be a preferable solution because they supply needed ventilation, and keep the water out. The problem I have is that if the boat is at the marina; it rains and the wind blows; without a Dorade box under the vent, water goes down the open hole and your mattress gets a damp spot. Flotation foam: It's just loose Styrofoam logs lying under the cockpit sole, or stuffed in the forward compartment at the bow. Remove the screwed down cover on yours, and gain access to the extra storage space. That's where I stow my large Fortress anchor, chain and rode; and where my motorcycle battery will reside. You need weight forward in the vessel to keep from dragging the transom through the water. The web comments are that it is nice to have the bow pulpit. I don't, but now that I am used to the motion of the boat as I move around on the fore deck, it doesn't bother me not having it - but, it sure is a nice place to tie off a jib halyard while raising the mast; or as a hand hold for someone on a dock who is lending a hand as you come in.............. easier to grab than the shrouds. If your new M15 has the normal length tiller, sail with it first, and then you will understand why I built my tiller extension. You might want to use my idea just making it to a height at your knee that you find comfortable. At present mine is about 98% correct. I'd like it a tad higher at the handhold end to optimize it - but now that I have it built and it works, do I really want to redo it again for a 2% improvement? I guess that depends on how many rainy days we have, since that sort of thing is a rainy day project. Rick, do you have a deep sail locker and a shallow one as mine had before I modified it? If you need any help of advice, just yell! Connie _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
