Harry, It's not only possible but it works very well. A couple of us have been perfecting that idea for a while. It all started with Doug Kelch's remote steering system that allows one to steer from anywhere on the boat. It's basically a line running through (3) blocks, around the boat with both ends attached to the tiller. Doug and I routinely stand in the cabin while sailing. On the last Maine trip I changed head sail in strong winds while steering from the foredeck. There's a picture of Doug straddling the bow while steering in the SCA article about our Chesapeake Bay Cruise that Tod Mills wrote. I refined the system a bit by building a seat that rides on the bottom hatchboard. I have three hatchboards. This will all be on my website if I can stop boatbuilding long enough to update it. http://www.sporadicfanatic.com/ Here's Doug's site; http://members.cox.net/dkelch/ I also built a tiller extension that, if long enough would allow one to steer from the cabin, but it wouldn't be as comfortable as the remote system. Yours for a fair tide, Rick
Date: Sat, 03 Mar 2007 12:25:16 -0500 From: Harry & Nancy <nanarry@shaw.ca> Subject: M_Boats: My new Mi5, Li'L Nan,Hull#707 To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Message-ID: <000601c75db8$e98e9630$6500a8c0@DHSZZW31> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
Greetings from Thunder Bay,Canada: Note the neat Hull#. I feel some kinship to James Bond, allbeit stretched.( In truth, my only "kinship" is that Sean and I are the same age and my ancestors are from Scotland.) Perhaps some one can share thoughts on the following: Is it possible to sail a M15 from a standing position in the cabin (of course, with the hatch open)? Having experience on L.Superior from the comfort of my kayak's cockpit(lower body totally protected and upper body churning away) from breakup to ice-over means the longest possible season.I'd like to be able to do the same in hull#707. Sitting in the cockpit,even fully clothed,I think the cold (30F in shoulder -seasons) combined with wind, might be off-putting.Hence my question of operating from the cabin.Also,is it possible to sail with just the jib,and not use the mainsail, again controlling from the cabin? West Marine is mailing me a 2007 catalog from which I hope to do some ordering(Thunder Bay's only sail shop closed a few years ago)Which anchors work best with a M15(rock ,sand and mud bottoms)?What type of rope,its length, and rode? Bob Eeg: Thanks for the phone call enquiring about our trip home.You said that we're missing some part,I've forgotten its name.What is the part and when are you sending it? Thanks. A publisher in Duluth ,Minn. is sending me a copy of Bonnie Dahl's book on cruising L. Superior which is apparently very useful. Regards from the White North. Harry Elmslie.