Christian, I might be able to help with your question. It was some time in 1988 that M15 went to lead ballast in the keel. I believe M15 centerboards started using lead as the ballast some time before the keels became lead ballasted. As I understand it, early M15's used shot as the ballast in the centerboard.
We sailed 1988 M15 #407 for many years. The ballast in the keel area was not lead, but the ballast in the centerboard was lead (a sheet of lead sandwiched between two sheets of fiberglass). Same with our 1988 M17 #410, she has a fiberglass centerboard with lead ballast, but the keel is ballasted with steel punching. As I understand it, it was sometime during the 1988 production year that all boats switched to lead. Also, the fiberglass centerboard in the M17 is the same fiberglass centerboard used in the M15, this is true even today. M17's up until late 1987 used a 220 - 240 lb cast iron centerboard. The fiberglass centerboard weighs about 40 lbs.... (or is it 70 lbs.....). I think my dates are close, others can pitch-in with more accurate information. Randy Graves M17 #410 From: Hughston, Larry Sent: Tue 3/13/2007 3:39 PM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: RE: M_Boats: Lead Keel This "lead keel" question is for Jerry Montgomery. Bob Eeg might know too. ---L. Hughston M-15 #189 (1981 manufacture) -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ion.com] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 1:27 PM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats; Jorge Johnson Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: M_Boats: Lead Keel Quick Question, What year did the M15's go to a "LEAD" keel? Thanks Christian _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
