Hello All,
My name is Allan and I recently purchased a 1977 Montgomery 17. The Hull ID
is #251 and it is currently named Willie. We plan on changing the name but
have decided on a new name yet.
After doing a little work on the boat, my friend Linda and I took it on its
maiden voyage (for us any way.) We took it to Lake Travis in Austin, TX and
the first adventure was finding a place to launch. The lake is very low
right now and most of the boat ramps are closed. We ended up launching off
the beach at a county park. We got the boat in the water and the motor
running (after drifting half way across the cove!) The next problem we
found is that the centerboard is stuck! (Adventures for another day.) We
motored out into the main body of the lake and hoisted sails. We killed the
motor and sat. The lake was dead calm without a breath of wind. Looking
down the lake, we saw a Sunfish with its little sail barely filled with air
so we waited. We waited. Finally, the merest breath of wind came up and
according to the GPS, we started making about 0.7 knots. Over the next hour
or so, the winds picked up. I don't think the winds ever made it over 10
knots. We had a fun day of sailing in spite of all the little problems.
According to the GPS, we actually made it up to 4.6 knots at one time but
most of our time was spent making between 2 and 3 knots. We finally decided
to pull the boat out of the lake as it was getting late in the day. (We
can't sail at night because the lights don't work, another adventure for
another day!) After loading on the trailer and getting the boat out, the
mast down, the sails stowed, etc. We went down to the lake for a relaxing
swim and some after-sailing beers (not to be confused with while-sailing
beers). Of course, as the sun started to go down, the winds picked up!
Overall, it was a good day. The boat still needs some little things but
what boat doesn't.
Allan
#251 Willie (soon to be renamed)
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