John & Candace: Take a look at how the shroud chain plates are anchored to the boat thru the toe rail at the deck-to-hull joint. That is a strong place to lift. If you go thru the deck inside that, the deck itself is less strong and stiff. Jerry Montgomery I think suggests using the chain plates and bow fore-stay fitting for lifting, but check with him or with Bob Eeg. --Gary Hyde 2005 M17 #637 sailboat 'Hydeaway 2' & formerly M15 Vanilla On Oct 24, 2009, at 6:40 PM, jcmanfredi@peoplepc.com wrote:

A couple questions from a new, used m15, owner in Yakima, Wa. 1. Has anyone successfully installed and used deck or toerail lifting eyes to lift your m15 with a hoist? I have read a few articles about lifting with shroud toe rail plates; I don't want to do that. I have used web hull slings with previous boats and don't want to do that. I'm thinking about one pad eye bolted through each side of the deck, with 1.5"x1.5"x12" stainless steel backing angle. Would locate 1.5" inside the teak toerail and about 4" rear of the shrouds. Would also use a balancing hoist line back to each cockpit cleat. 2. Does anyone know of a manufactured boat cover with cutouts for montgomery's standard bow and stern rails? thanks, john and candace manfredi _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats

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john and candace:   jerry montgomery has commented many times that it was his practice to lift M15s once hull and deck attached onto the trailer using the chainplates, bow-piece (the stern cleats only were necessary to balance the boat).   if you search the listproc you will find these posts and many comments from those that have done such a lift.   i've launch both my old M15 and my current M17 many many many times by sling.  never had an issue or problem ... except answering many questions from the crowd that develops and ask many questions about 'the salty looking boat' :-)   i too am looking for a good boat cover.  my 15 had a great cover (pictures on the www.msogphotosite.com and www.freewebs.com/m15-named-scred).  the cover was made by Larsen Sails Santa Cruz, CA; but all www-references to this company show they no longer make sails or boat covers (seem to have moved to, "Awnings, Banners, Large format printing, Mobile Canopies, Stage Backdrops").     dave scobie M17 #375 - SWEET PEA visit SWEET PEA's www-site - http://www.m17-375.webs.com   --- On Sat, 10/24/09, jcmanfredi@peoplepc.com <jcmanfredi@peoplepc.com> wrote: A couple questions from a new, used m15, owner in Yakima, Wa. 1. Has anyone successfully installed and used deck or toerail lifting eyes to lift your m15 with a hoist? I have read a few articles about lifting with shroud toe rail plates; I don't want to do that. I have used web hull slings with previous boats and don't want to do that. I'm thinking about one pad eye bolted through each side of the deck, with 1.5"x1.5"x12" stainless steel backing angle. Would locate 1.5" inside the teak toerail and about 4" rear of the shrouds. Would also use a balancing hoist line back to each cockpit cleat. 2. Does anyone know of a manufactured boat cover with cutouts for montgomery's standard bow and stern rails? thanks, john and candace manfredi _______________________________________________