Not that I have any special love for high winds, quite the contrary. But I
would like to do some wide water cruising on the Chesapeake and I have had
plenty of experience of bad stuff in equal and in larger boats. Most folks
learn to sail and sail well without understanding a good reef sequence. Youre
right. With the right spread of canvas, moderate gales are usable wind. Just
wanted to make sure about the M17.
One point. Can you stand in the forehatch and work the foredeck or do you climb
out there in all weathers. It looks precarious with small space, no bulwards,
no side decks, to speak of. I would plan on refitting my own M17 forehatch if
this is not possible on a standard boat. After all its one thing a very small
boat should let you do. ED008 22:21:42 -0500> To:
[email protected]> Subject: M_Boats: Re: M17 heavy weather
capabilities> > Just a personal note on the heavy weather capabilities of an
M17. > > If you check out the pictures of the M17 "Thompson" on the
MSOGphotosite > you'll see a picture of her beating to windward in 30+ knots in
a race here in > Havasu a couple of years ago. >
_http://msogphotosite.com/MSOG/b17thomps/b17thomps11.jpg_
(http://msogphotosite.com/MSOG/b17thomps/b17thomps11.jpg) > > I had sold the
boat to my buddy Jason after acquiring our M23 and was > crewing for him during
the race. We were reefed down with a small working jib up > and the boat was
doing great. In fact, many of the much larger boats in the race > had already
dropped all sail, retired and were heading in under power. We > finished the
race and then sailed her home! Can the M17 handle heavy weather? > Yes, I think
so, but I also read a comment that I think rings very true. > MUCH depends on
the crew, and this is not just for an M17 but for any boat. If > you want to
sail in heavy winds you need to work up to it and learn how your > boat needs
to be set-up to be able to handle those winds under control. I used > to be
very nervous about getting caught in heavy winds. And eventually, if > you keep
ratcheting up the wind-speed, any crew or boat is going to reach it's > comfort
level where sailing switches from being fun and safe, to scary and > out of
control. But, I have learned that if I set the boat up properly (1 reef, > 2
reefs, storm sail, working jib, whatever) for the conditions, I am amazed > at
the conditions that I am able to go out and sail in comfortably. Jo and I >
have built up to sailing in 30 knots incrementally. Just my opinion, but to >
do it safe it takes the skill and experience of the crew, the proper equipment
> (if you can't tuck a reef safely quickly and properly, or make a headsail >
change to the correct size headsail for the conditions, it's not going to >
work),and a capable boat. I can speak personally for the M17 and M23, they are
> CAPABLE boats! I love my Monty!> > > > **************Start the year off
right. Easy ways to stay in shape. >
http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489>
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