Jerry Montgomery installed an access port in the middle of my transom on the cockpit side centered between the top of the transom and the fuel locker. He did this to allow the installation of a cleat on the transom for the lift up rudder. This also gives me access to inspect/tighten the gudgeon bolts. Strategically placed inspection ports are a thing of beauty! As far as cockpit drainage goes, Alina has drainage from the cockpit directly to the transom via thru-hulls, hoses, and check valves. I was still getting water in the cockpit from the cockpit drains and the "Old Faithful" centerboard pennant. My solution is rubber stoppers in the cockpit drains, and rigging tape (the kind that only sticks to itself) taper-wrapped around the centerboard pennant. I wrap the tape loose enough to permit the centerboard pennant to slide through it when lifting and lowering the center board. This combination keeps Alina's cockpit nice and dry. I keep a sponge and a small bilge pump handy for the occasional stray splashes that find their way into the cockpit. When conditions dictate, I kick the stoppers out. Alina just returned from a few days at "Master Montgomery's" shop where she received a new Aqua Signal bi-color bow pulpit mounted running light, and 3 internal cockpit hatch securing lines. On a previous visit, Jerry relocated the forestay to the very tip of the bow where it can straddle the deck joint. He explained that the new location opens the jib slot to enhance performance, and also provides a more secure attachment point for the forestay. Consequently the existing bow mounted running light had to be relocated. Man, he does fine work! Bob Campbell Montgomery 17 #615 "Alina" Lodi, CA -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-admin@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-admin@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Honshells Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2002 9:57 AM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: Transom Access Has anyone had to access the upper regions of their M17 transom, either to tighten gudgeon bolts, add an engine mount or transom ladder? If so, how did you negotiate the space? Did you have to cut access holes in the cockpit face of the transom? _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats