Great story, Bill, but you forgot that part about not needing a sleeping bag because you can just roll up in the sails. I've found that it helps to stagger the holes.
Jerry jerrymontgomery.org ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill "C" Day" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:03 AM Subject: M_Boats: Boat improvement projects > I've been reading all the posts from the skippers who are refurbishing, > repairing, and doing improvements on their boats. The list of projects > underway is impressive and almost unlimited. All I can say is, "You > people disgust me!" > > All you are doing is making me feel bad about my boat. It has taken me > years to get used to looking at gray, furry teak trim. I'm finally used > to thinking of a rusty trailer as earth toned. I figure if it ever gets > stolen, I can just follow the trail of rust flakes to locate and recover > it. I no longer get upset at people pointing and laughing as I tow my > M-15 down the highway. When asked what color my boat is, I just look at > my original sale paperwork for the answer. When I hear catcalls and > jeers at the launch ramp, I just wave back and get underway as quickly > as possible. The layer of leaves and twigs in the cockpit acts as > protection for the nonskid. I've convinced myself that frayed lines > make the running rigging easier to hold on to, and lets me ignore the > worn clam cleats that just act as guides for the lines. > > When I read of projects to install mast carriers and jin poles to raise > masts, I ask myself, "Where's the fun of seeing what parts you are > missing when you get to the launch ramp, and how could I deny the > entertainment to the crowds of people who set up lawn chairs and watch > me raise my mast and rig the boat for launch?" Besides, how do you know > your trailer is tracking properly behind your tow vehicle if you can't > see the sparks from the things that have fallen off and are dragging > along the highway. > > I also meet a lot of people while I'm sailing, when they pull along side > to help me with what they think is a salvage operation. I also have a > large collection of life rings that have been thrown to me in perceived > rescue attempts. > > The duct tape and dental floss repairs on the sails seem to make them a > little stiffer and help them hold a proper foil shape, even when the > sail is removed and leaning against the garage wall. > > I bought the boat new from Jerry 21 years ago, and I still think of it > as brand new, which is my excuse for just naming it after all this > time. The name is "Gee Whiz! I thought it was a major project just to > clean a small patch of the transom to stick the name graphics on. > > If you spot my boat, don't try to rescue me, just extend your > condolences and don't tell me about any maintenance or improvement tips > that come to mind. I get tired and start perspiring just reading about > everyone else's projects. > > On June 9th, I'll be towing my M-15 to Frazier Park, Ca from Houston, > MO, so if you live anywhere near I-40, you might want to come out and > watch me drive by, and help me pray that it makes the trip. You can > keep any pieces that happen to fall off as I go by. > > Bill "C" Day > M-15 #363 > "Gee Whiz!" > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG. > Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.24.6/1480 - Release Date: 6/3/2008 7:00 AM > > _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
