June 2008 - montgomery_boats - mailman.xmission.com

Montgomery Sailboats are in high demand
by Bob Eeg 15 Jul '13

15 Jul '13

And are built with top-notch quality. There is nothing in the market place faster, better built and as good looking as a Montgomery Sailboat. I don't run a factory; I run a very small boatshop. I built to order on a boat by boat basis. I do a lot of custom work when asked. Bronze ports, Stainless ports, extra ballast, Custom electrical systems, Idasailor rudders, anchoring packages..etc. This work is labor intensive. Quality takes time. I have 3 employees. These people are highly experienced in Laminating, construction, assembly and finish. Woodworking and other skills result in a absolutely beautiful sailing vessel. I use the best sails the best rigging, the best custom stainless fasteners..and yes....(laughing) the best cushions. This last 15 months have been EXTREMELY busy; hiring new help was impossible because all the good people are gone. We had a tremendous BACKLOG and we caught a break only when Pacific Seacraft employees (let go) began filtering into our shop looking for work. We did add some additional crew in the Laminating Shop and because of that we are caught up. Pacific Seacrafts Bankruptcy was good for us. Bad for the dozens of good people who are out of work. The FIRST question of anyone buying a new boat should be 'How is the construction quality'? First and foremost that is the most important issue. I can say that everyone has experienced and will continue to experience a BACKLOG of orders; especially if the boat is as popular as a Montgomery Sailboat. When we had an 8 month backlog and I actually turned down 2 M_17 orders so we could catch our breath. It is impossible to work any harder or any faster. Now that were caught up we can get back to our normal 50-70 days (depending on model and options). Also custom work really adds to the production time. One beautiful M_17 we did we cut the V berth out of and installed an oval bulkhead, custom shelves and inline potti area; with 4 bronze ports she is an amazing boat, but custom work takes time. Expect delays if you go radical on the interior. (I think BONES has a photo of that one...) We are really one of the only builders that entertain changes and options to satisfy the customer. This new Passagemaker M_17 were building (and installing a windvane on tomorrow) is going to be amazing. Other actual boat factories that produce boats for DEALERS (that Tod mentioned) like Precision and Compac are built on Factory Production lines for a large Dealership Network. Dealers who have these boats in stock can supply them right away. But ask for major changes on a future production boat and the wait will be many months. International Marine builds boats faster with more employees but those boats are piss poor sailers (upwind) and many arrive with a list of problems that are pathetic. That's not me. So try not to focus on the TIME factor. We can only go so fast. Hiring additional help is not an option because by the time you train someone the season gets slow and you have to lay them off. I can't do that. I have people that have been with me for 20 years; I keep us small and efficient on purpose. So be surprised if we hit the delivery time; which we do quite often. Be a little disappointed when we miss it; but get over it when you see your boat. Dozens of you know me; you've arrived to see me rig your boat, pack you up and shake your hand. (Heck...Gary Hyde even brought me a bottle of wine..!..Thanks Gary.!) One man bought a new M_15 from us and a new M_17 a year later.! The C word...Cushions. I inspect everyboat before it leaves for home. Scott's boat was leaving for the Bay Area early Friday morning; I was at the boatshop at 10:30 PM Thursday night, sleeping at the picnic table just inside the door, waiting for the cushion guy to arrive with the (late) promised cushions. He drove up, woke me up and I watched as he stacked them on the deck. We left. My man arrived at 3AM and hooked up the boat and slid the cushions inside the boat. I should have loaded them myself then I would have noticed they looked good but didn't have the required 'Squeeze' factor. Let's move on, shall we....? Fair winds Bob Eeg (949) 489-8227 Boat Builder

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alternative to the tiller tamer
by Flickasf＠aol.com 11 Aug '08

11 Aug '08

Check out the Tiller Stay. You can find the site by googling it. It works quite well. An auto pilot will hold a magnetic course; I use one on my Flicka. Bert Felton M 15, #365 Zephyr ************** Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007)

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rudder replacement
by jake horine 03 Jul '08

03 Jul '08

Hello All; We are in need of a new rudder for our m17. I thought I would get some advice and suggestions from the Monty group before I made any decisions. I have looked at the Idasailor ( the newest version ) but have some concerns about the gas shock. If they are anything like the ones that are commonley used on autos and campers they seem to have a relative short life span. Are their any other alternative designs. I wish to install a kick-up style, as I think I dodged a bullet by not damaging the transom when shredding to splinters the old rudder. Cheers Jake Horine M 17 1977 #263 "Fortuna'

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Re: M_Boats: help with slug order
by Danelle Landis 03 Jul '08

03 Jul '08

Thanks Thomas, Howard, Paint4real and Ron for the pointer to Sailrite! I should have just looked in the archives - I remember sailrite mentioned here before. Thanks for patiently writing it for me again though. Thanks to Howard too, for the ideas on sail handling/raising, etc. I have to admit that I knew that the 150 genny was likely to be overkill the day I went out singlehanding, but I also have to admit that I was hoping for an exciting, wild ride that day. Most of the three-hour trip was just brisk breeze and some mild breezes too, but when the breeze came up for that one stretch - I got just what I was looking for. I was laughing out loud at a couple of points, just because I'd missed the excitement of hang-on-for-dear-life sailing over these last years. I do have a regular (not storm) jib that I use normally. It was ridiculously fun being over the top that day, but was a little worried about breaking the boat somehow since I'm still so new to it, and she is old. I do need to practice my reefing system too, my main has one only one line of reef points. Danelle "Ceto" M17 #378 Ketchikan, AK http://web.mac.com/anniesark9/Site/Sailing_Ceto.html

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Re: M_Boats: New Rudder
by Michael Ray Wisely 02 Jul '08

02 Jul '08

Hi Jake, I have one of the Ida Sailor kick ups and I love it. I only wish it had 3 pins instead of just 2 that it came with (top and bottom). I asked about it and was told that 2 are enough but I would just feel more comfortable with 3. I may order another pinion and install it myself. As far as the piston goes, I would not leave it in salt water for an extended period of time, but it's construction seems to be excellent and it is stainless I think. If I keep "Meg" at the dock for any length of time I remove the rudder, rinse it and store it forward. It's pretty cumbersome, but I feel better with it out of the water as it was pretty pricey. The Bottom line is, it's a quality product. My 2, Best, Michael Ray Wisely M17 #383 "MEG"

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Ventilation
by Phil & Frances 01 Jul '08

01 Jul '08

The M 15 is stuffy and hot. Have any of your owners ventilated yours so sleeping there is really possible? If so what did you use to do the job? Any secrets to doing the job? Any brand names of equipment to share? And would you recommend doing it? Phil

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Beckson deckplate
by John R. Butler 30 Jun '08

30 Jun '08

I installed a large Beckson deckplate in the cockpit sole for access to the bilge aft of the keel to install my first electric in Joy, my first M-15. I walked on it like the rest of the sole, worked perfectly. Have a Slam Hatch in Rejoyce!'s sole for larger access this time. It also ignores my walking on it. .--.-. | ( ( )__ \ _ / (_, \ ) ,_) | -== (_) ==- -'--`--' /|\ / \ / | \ | ^^ / | \ / | \ ^^ /361| \ / | \ / | \ ^^ / | \ ___/____| \ ______|_ \ ___ _______/ ==== \___\___/ | “MONTGOMERY 15” / ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~^~~^=~^~~-=~^~^~=~^~=~~^~= ~^~=~~^=~^~~^~^=~^~-~^~~^~= ^~=~^~=~~^~~=~~=~^~=~~^~~^~^^ John Butler - First M15 was #264

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help with slug order
by Danelle Landis 30 Jun '08

30 Jun '08

I just visited west marine, and am very confused about the sail slug ordering. Can anyone give me the exact item I should order to get the right item to convert to sail slugs from the mainsail bolt rope? Doesn't have to be Westmarine, of course! I see the thing called "Battcar" and all I can think of is that it has something to do with the "Battcave" and the "Battmobile" and Robin, and the commissioner... Too late for me, I think! Danelle "Ceto" M17 #378 Ketchikan, AK http://web.mac.com/anniesark9/Site/Sailing_Ceto.html

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dinghy advice wanted
by Richard Everett 30 Jun '08

30 Jun '08

Hi guys, I am curious what you use for a dinghy when you have the situation that requires one? I looked at the Walker Bay 8 foot model they carry at West Marine, but after reading some info online I am unsure if it will safely carry me along with another passenger. I am 6'7" and around 235lbs, not leaving a lot of extra capacity in the rating for a passenger. My major concern is where to put the dinghy when we are not using it (ie, a foldable will have to be stored *somewhere* on the boat) and how much drag it will cause when towing. I don't want my 4 to 5 knot progress to be slowed to 3 to 4 just because of the dinghy. Also don't want it to catch a lot of spray and wave action and become a nice sea anchor. Also, it needs to be easy to lift up and put in the back of a pickup truck. This is more for when we head up to the San Juans for an extended weekend, or if we do a long Canada trip. Thanks, Rick M17-635 Eidolon

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Re: M_Boats: Centerboard Line "Burp" Leakage
by Paint4Real＠aol.com 30 Jun '08

30 Jun '08

Is the 17's configuration on this different from the 15? A knot wouldn't help on the 15, because the scuppers are below the block against which the knot would fit. The problem is only noticed on Shenanigans when there are three folks in the cockpit, or two a bit too far aft. Then the leaking water can be encouraged to run aft across the cockpit sole. Never produces a Bristol look to have water sloshing around in the cockpit. Solution has always been to have crew and/or skipper move forward a bit. Often there's at least one in my crew who will gladly over-comply and head to the bow to sunbathe. I'm not complaining. ************** Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007)

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