November 2007 - montgomery_boats - mailman.xmission.com

Centerboard not centered
by Rick Langer 20 Nov '07

20 Nov '07

Gordon, You might want to check for warp or twist in the centerboard. I have seen very little warp cause a board to stick. Granted this problem is more prevalent on wood centerboards, but as long as you have the board out of the boat it's easy to check for twist. Just lay it on a table or other flat surface. Rick Langer M15 #337 Bluebird > Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2007 12:36:47 -0600 > From: Gordon Gilbert <gordon(a)financialwriting.net> > Subject: M_Boats: Centerboard not centered > To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats > <montgomery_boats(a)mailman.xmission.com> > Message-ID: <C36733DF.11E0%gordon(a)financialwriting.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" > > Hi, everyone: > > The centerboard on my just-purchased ¹83 Montgomery 17 appears to be off > center when retracted into the keel trunk, so that its starboard side rubs > against the trunk in the aft area (I probed around the retracted > centerboard > with a metal ruler, and there¹s plenty of clearance everywhere but this > spot), causing the board to stick in the up position. I sprayed WD-40 > liberally into the pendant hole and was able to lower the board, but I¹d > like to eliminate the rubbing anyway. > > What pushed the board off center, I¹m guessing, is that it protrudes an > inch > or so below the trunk even when retracted, and that the weight of the boat > sitting on it bent the hinge bolt. Does that seem feasible, and have > others > had this problem? Is it common for the board on these boats to protrude > beyond the keel trunk? I also noticed that loading the boat onto the > trailer > pushes the board further into the trunk, as there¹s about two inches of > slack in the pendant from where I could pull it up while in the water. I'm > hoping that the trunk hasn't expanded; this boat has never been kept on > the > water. > > The boat¹s trailer is an EZ Loader with side rollers and a keel roller on > which the keel (centerboard, in my case) rests. Once I¹ve pulled the > board, > replaced the hinge bolt and re-centered the board (or whatever else needs > to > be done), should I remove the keel roller so that the boat rests only on > the > side hull rollers? Will this put too much weight on the hull in too few > places? My other thought is to replace the EZ Loader with a bunk-type > trailer, with the boat supported totally by the bunks. > > I¹d appreciate any suggestions on ways to keep my centerboard ³centered² > and > working well. Thanks! > > Gordon

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Keel removal success
by Nebwest2＠aol.com 20 Nov '07

20 Nov '07

Chad, I have noticed the same situation with Dauntless with respect to the swing keel not quite retracting all the way flush into the slot. I was concerned at first. I noticed it when the boat was hanging in mid air on a crane and we were getting ready to set her back on the trailer. Trying to crank the pendant harder with the keel winch did not result in the keel pulling up an further. About an inch of the swing keel was exposed at the aft end of the keel. Interestingly enough, when you set the boat on the trailer the swing keel went the last inch up into the slot as the boat was lowered. Pick the boat up and it came right out again. I finally decided that was must be going on is that as the swing keel is raised the pendant attachment point swings in an arc. Once the keel is almost fully retracted, that attachment point is moving forward as well as up and moves slightly ahead of the keel winch. At that point, further cranking on the winch does not result in any further lifting of the keel. When the boat is set on the trailer, there is a slight slackening of the cable as the trailer bunk under the swing keel forces the swing keel up that last little bit. That's my theory anyway! So now when the pendant gets snug I stop cranking on it. The keel is within an inch of being flush, plenty to allow me to get on the trailer. I like the fact that while trailering down the road the weight of the swing keel is actually sitting on the trailer and not bobbing on the pendant anyway. Now, my assessment could be totally wrong.....but it makes me feel good! so what the heck! hahaha Looks like you are doing a bang-up job. Keep up the good work. As for me. Well Gary Hyde of the M17 Hydeaway II is visiting us right now. We've had two days of no wind...ugh! BUT the forecast is for it to start blowing today through the weekend. Hopefully we'll get some good sailing in while he's here! Happy T-Day everyone! Sean ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

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Re: M_Boats: Centerboard not centered
by bownez＠juno.com 19 Nov '07

19 Nov '07

Hello Gordon and Larry, I have the original Trailrite trailer and I have noticed that an inch or so of my swingkeel seems to appear out of the trunk when the boat is fully loaded on the trailer. This seems to confirm that the majority of the boats weight is on the bunks, not the keel roller. I have yet to have a binding or bias problem with the keel of my '76 vintage M17, if anything, it seems a bit sloppy! Also, the hull does not contact the full length of the bunks. There are areas that the bunk and hull do not touch. I know some M17 owners have modified their bunk support arms to remedy this situation. For what it's worth.... On another note, Chad, your keel looks great, I think someone has been in there recently. Bones

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Re: M_Boats: Centerboard not centered
by Larry E Yake 19 Nov '07

19 Nov '07

Gordon, I'm sure you'll get varying opinions on this one, but I believe only minimal weight should be on the keel roller. Just enough to support the weight of the centerboard itself, and to steady the boat. Others have beefed up their rollers to support nearly the whole weight of the boat, but like you mentioned, this jams the board up into the keel. If you think about it, when the boat is in the water, the keel hangs from the hull. Supporting the hull with the keel when it's on the trailer is not the way I think it was designed. Larry

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Keel Removal Success
by Chad Parrish 18 Nov '07

18 Nov '07

Hello, Just wanted to say thank you for the information contained on the msog site. I was able to successfully remove my swing keel this weekend in my continued investigation to see where my monty is leaking. I moved the boat back on the trailer and then drove the trailer up onto ramps similar to how the keel removal was done on endelig. Pictures of my keel removal can be found here: http://www.fafnirnet.net/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=212 Thanks again, Chad

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Keel removal success
by Chad Parrish 18 Nov '07

18 Nov '07

Hello all, just wanted to say thanks for the great information on the msog site. I was able to successfully remove my swing keel to re-finish it and to help track down where my leak is. I did almost the same thing as the owners of Endelig. Some pictures that I took during the removal process are up on my site if someone else is planning on tackling this project this winter. The keel itself looks in great shape. montgomery_boats(a)mailman.xmission.com Thanks again, Chad

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Re: Speed with electric power
by John R. Butler 18 Nov '07

18 Nov '07

I had my grandson-in-law and one great grandkid out yesterday and got a speed check with Emmy Jean (my permanently installed MotorGuide 54 pound static thrust FW54HTV) in calm weather. She ran a steady 3.5 mph or 3.04 knots. And that was with an extra burden of some 450 pounds (big guys!) in a 750 pound displacement boat. Rejoyce! probably pushes around 1,000 pounds with all of her batteries, gear and me aboard, so their extra weight is still an extra 45%. What would she do with just me aboard? Perhaps four mph, or 3.5 knots. Perhaps more? Maybe Santa will bring me a GPS and I will find out. .--.-. | ( ( )__ \ _ / (_, \ ) ,_) | -== (_) ==- -'--`--' /|\ / \ / | \ | ^^ / | \ / | \ ^^ /361| \ / | \ / | \ ^^ / | \ ___/____| \ ______|_ \ ___ _______/ ==== \___\___/ | “MONTGOMERY 15” / ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~^~~^=~^~~-=~^~^~=~^~=~~^~= ~^~=~~^=~^~~^~^=~^~-~^~~^~= ^~=~^~=~~^~~=~~=~^~=~~^~~^~^^ John Butler - First M15 was #264

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Re: M_Boats: towing
by bownez＠juno.com 18 Nov '07

18 Nov '07

Hi Gang, My '06 Tacoma got 16mpg towing my M17 to the North Channel last June. It has the 4.0 L V-6 and a 5 speed auto. I kept it out of 5 gear. The truck never broke a sweat. Of couse, towing the M23 is a whole different story, I haven't tried that yet. Happy Thanksgiving fellow wrinkle boaters...... Bones

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Re: M_Boats: towing
by GILASAILR＠aol.com 17 Nov '07

17 Nov '07

Tom, I have a M-17 and just drove from Phoenix to Lake Havasu (Seans Lake). The ride over - piece of cake, normal conditions no climb -no wind. ( the 'disputed' 30+knots) The ride back we had BIG breeze and the tow vehicle, normally able to tow at the posted speed limit +10 (85mph) easy ( do NOT do this), was blown back on its heels to about 57 mph MAX on the flat. (speedo and GPS). Very windy that day 2/3 of the drive. I don't haul alot of stuff with me - because I usually brought it home after having never using it. We did have a guitar (Frenchies) this last trip - but usually lighter loads - I just don't use all the stuff I used to take. My racing crew used to empty the boat before the start of every race series - I mean empty to the bilge- all out surveyed for NEED and replaced all to be safe and legal - good idea. He is a good sailor. I am currently towing with a 2003 Toyota Tacoma double cab with auto and 3.4 L V6 - have towed same or larger trailers with 3.4 L V6 and manual tranny ( if I was to be towing more and driving in town less - I would DEFINITELY go with the manual tranny again) More than adequate - for the job - If I wasn't in a hurry or did not have big mountains ahead of me I would drive a 4 cylinder Toyota Taco with manual towing a M-15. - but then again I grew up driving VW buses and trucks with 36 and 40 hp motors. That explains alot right there! I used to drive a bus with a 36 hp motor to San DIego with my black M-10 on the roof luugage rack - you just slooooooooooooooow down going up the hills. (Also towed C-15 with same bus and 52hp motor to CA and back many times) V6 and auto or manual trans in a small truck or SUV (didn't they call those station wagons?) should be fine for all roads - IMHO - I have towed boats on trailers over a million miles over the interstate highways as a boat dealer in a previous life - then I woke up! Tow package recommended - Do not exceed the vehicle manufacturers recommendations, be careful you could poke your eye out with that thing! Motor Safe - start early - pull over and rest often. then Go Sailing Gary O. M-17 #316a ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

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Re: M_Boats: Bimini for Montgomery 15
by Eeeisen＠aol.com 17 Nov '07

17 Nov '07

Where in Texas? We're in the Fort Worth area but trailer other places. Eldor and Dorothy Motu iti M17 fixed keel ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

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