Hi Connie, After leaving Tod's, I had a brief sail on Saturday. It was warm and sunny up the river, but out on the lake it was really blowing. And after covering a hundred plus miles of 48 degree water, the NE wind was none too warm. I single-reefed and could have used a even less sail. My son and 5 yr old grandson Liam were with me. The 3 to 5 foot waves got to Liam. He felt groggy and just wanted to lie in the cabin. I turned around and headed back before he got sick on the bunk. We probably sailed two miles out into the lake and back. Storm Petrel is now ensconced in a rented garage in Pittsburgh. A whole year for the price of a summer dry-sail spot in Sandusky. It will save me two days each time I go the Chesapeake; planned for twice this year. The half round items are Ronstan Bullseye fairlead/cam cleats on a swivel base. See bottom corner of 2004 WM pg 1052. I use them for my asynch spinnaker and sometimes for the poled-out jib. They are also handy for various lines/fenders, etc. The ladder is Garelick #18017, WM pg 752, lower left corner again. Tod and Doug Kelch (and probably others) have the same model. I wouldn't be without the bow pulpit. The former owner installed a permanent bow light, which battery-less Storm Petrel doesn't use. But it provides security when on the foredeck and is a good tie off point for a furled foresail or boom tent. When I raise the mast, I just wrap the jib halyard around the pulpit then back to the mast cleat, to hold the mast while attaching the forestay. My trailer doesn't have a mast holder so the pulpit supports the foot of the mast when traveling. My brother and I built a boom crutch for the rudder gudgeons. It's exactly the right height to enable bolting the mast foot with the hatch closed. But that height also keeps the mast perfectly horizontal while mounted for travel. So it is also perfect ridgepole for a tarp. But we know everything about the M-15 is perfect, right? Tod, prospective M-boat buyer Dave Haas called several times to make sure it was okay to visit my Storm Petrel at my son's house Saturday night. But he must have been unable to get away on Mother's day eve, cause he never arrived. Texas is long way, but the Chesapeake is great sailing, and not nearly so far. You have a great summer, too. Bill Riker M15 - #184 Storm Petrel -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+wriker=mindspring.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+wriker=mindspring.com@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of chbenneck@juno.com Sent: Saturday, May 08, 2004 11:12 AM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: M_Boats: Storm Petrel hits the road Hi Bill, After examining the nice photo of Storm Petrel I have some questions: 1. What are those half round items on your cockpit coaming? Anti-PWC missile launchers? 2. That boarding ladder looks neat. Make and model if you please. 3. You have a bow pulpit; I don't on LEPPO. Do you find it useful? Would you recommend I consider getting one? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I had the boat cover off last week when I showed my M15 to Rick Langer, but here in Connecticut - as usual - early May is still not pleasant sailing time. The macho sailing fiends are in the water by May 1st, jeering at the rest of us that think Memorial Day is just fine for the start of the season, and making us jealous while we are working on boats and they are out sailing. Have a great season in Storm Petrel. Connie _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats