Frank, I'll give you my $.02, but others may have different ideas, bred of different experiences.
I grew up sailing on the Finger Lakes in W New York State. Really nice, but I have yearned for something more adventurous. Hence the interest in sailing the Great Lakes, Chesapeake, etc. The storm jib is definitely worth it, for safety. You may need to go to windward in a blow and a little handkerchief in front is a big help. Two HP is enough. Probably half or more M-15 owners have the Honda 4 cycle 2hp. It's great. The Thetford 135 is, I believe, the only potti that fits. Jerry designed the boat around it!! It is a very tight fit. Some hot water to soften the plastic helps. The M15 is very well balanced. Depending on weight distribution, there can be a little lee helm in light winds, but it comes around as the wind increases. Lifting the board doesn't seem to affect the helm much. I like my full-batten main. I bought all (4) new sails the second year I had the boat, 1999, and wouldn't do anything different. FWIW, tanbark is much more visible on the water than conventional white sails. The jib reef points are salty-looking, but are a little difficult to use. I probably just need more practice. Living in Pittsburgh, I don't sail that much. So I haven't installed a 12-volt system. I run everything on dry cells. I even have a fishfinder (for depth) that runs for days on AA-cells. A real winner. Other winners include: The Origio non-pressurized stove A nylon ground cloth (6'x7', I think) for a boom tent. The Horizon Claw 4.4lb anchor. Fits in the shallow cockpit locker and I proved that it will hold in a real blow. (My older 1982 model has shallow lockers on both sides.) Sony mini-speakers for my CD player. A scrap of outdoor carpet cut to fit the cabin floor. Swiveling fairlead/cam cleats on the comings for the drifter and jib when running. And various other uses like remote steering and fender attachment points. I just installed a longer (J-26 I think) tiller. The M15 wants weight forward and the extra length lets the skipper sit where the weight belongs. It's great for single handing, which I mostly do, but probably in the way with crew. I installed a Forespar tiller extension with lock box. The lock box works okay, but the extension doesn't cut it with any amount of wind. That's all I can think of right now. By the way, I'm planning to retire next year also, and will be heading to New Mexico. Actually, to a town on a lake behind a Rio Grande river dam. Not the best sailing, but I'll be retired with lots oftime. With a very trailerable boat. And not too far from the Sea of Cortez, one of Jerry's favorite sailing spots. Best of luck. Bill Riker M15 - #184 Storm Petrel -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 9:18 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: M_Boats: M15 > Bill..thanks for the reply...the Chesapeake sounds great and really > isn't that long a drive for me.Don't you guys have a get-together > there?? That would be a great excuse for a first trip.As to advice on a > M15...sure I've had a few boats over the years.They all have strong > points-weak points...personalities of their own!I've never even seen an > M15 in person let alone sail one!I'm drawn to it because I hope to > trailer sail lots and I can't think of a better lil boat.Light > weight(gas prices while towing)great looks,documented speed and general > sailing ability.But YOU have the experience! Is a storm jib worth it??a > 150 overkill??What model portapotti fits??Great storage ideas??A 2hp Ok > or a 4HP better?? Does pulling the board part way up help weather helm?? > Bill ..thats where your experience comes in.I am semi retiring next year > and couldn't think of a better lil boat to get old(older) with.Any > advice is real welcome. _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
