The hank-on drifter would probably work in 8 to 10 knots upwind and is probably a very useful sail. I had a 180 nylon drifter for my M-17 flushdeck and loved it. A long time ago but it was probably 1 oz material. It would stretch quite a bit in 8 knots upwind but still went like crazy. Another sail that might be useful is a wind seeker, which is usually made from light spinnaker cloth (3/4 oz) , is small, like maybe 80%, with a very light clew, with a light strap instead of a grommet. The idea of a windseeker is to use in conditions that are too light to hold a larger drifter in position. Normally you wouldn't use it much at all, but there are times when it will enable you to have steerage, especially if there is a residual slop on the water. I have one for my Sage but have never used it, but someday it may win a race for me. jerry ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tyler Backman" <casioqv@usermail.com> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Friday, August 22, 2014 8:56 AM Subject: Re: M_Boats: Race to Alaska in M15 Yes, I think without solid "human propulsion" this race wouldn't be safe, given the possibility of dead calm and strong currents. I am also hoping that large lightweight nylon sails will make it possible to sail in so-called calm conditions. Harry Pattison made me a large hank on nylon drifter, which in theory should work as an upwind light air sail. Does anyone in the salish sea area have feedback on this idea? I'm looking into a relatively comfortable and efficient way to row a Montgomery despite it's wide beam and high freeboard but haven't found much except David Amundson's sweeper construction, which was never updated with any completion details: http://www.compassionfitness.com/trekka/decksweepers.htm There's also Strawanza, an M17 Bob Eeg custom built for offshore rowing: http://www.msogphotosite.com/m17strawanza.html These two photos are up close of Strawanza's movable (and removable) oarlock system: http://www.msogphotosite.com/MSOG/bnamibia/bnamibia33.jpg http://www.msogphotosite.com/MSOG/bnamibia/bnamibia34.jpg I'm going to look into a sliding seat rowing station of the same design as sold with Gig Harbor sailboats. Those guys seem to really know what they're doing, and apparently people have rowed converted sailboats across oceans with Gig Harbor systems. I also like the idea of oarlocks on the toerail, which can be totally removed or positioned at any point. I am already considering full length tracks on the toerail so I can get a wide range of sheeting points for the nylon drifter. Tyler Davis, CA M15 #157 "Defiant" On Aug 21, 2014, at 11:07 PM, nebwest2@aol.com via montgomery_boats wrote:
I've been seriously looking at this race as well. Sounds like a hell of an adventure. From what I have researched so far, it sounds like the "human propulsion" aspect can be expected to come into play in a big way. 750 miles is a Long way. Even if you could average better than 4 knots, 24 hours a day ( which you never would even come close to),,,,it would take 7 plus days nonstop...lol. Holy smokes....I thought The Border Run was long at just 100. Or so miles .... This race will test anyone that tries it.....hard. I loaded the charts and currents.....lol...yeah....expect 5 to 6 knot tidal currents in many places. Whoa! More research needed.....
-- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter. SPAMfighter has removed 12116 of my spam emails to date. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len Do you have a slow PC? Try a Free scan http://www.spamfighter.com/SLOW-PCfighter?cid=sigen