Montgomery 15
Robert Manry’s 1965 Atlantic crossing in a converted 13'6" daysailer—and his bewitching book about the experience— spawned a new class of pocket cruisers. A flood of tiny boats with tiny cabins appeared. Most were rubbish, trading sailing performance for affectation. You will recall that I loathe affectation. The Montgomery 15 is one of the
good ones. It has an efficient hull shape and rig, and all the important details are thoughtful and shipshape. It looks, in short, as if it were designed by a real sailor. And not just any sailor: Jerry Montgom- ery, builder, designer, and consummate boatman. In 2002 I drove to Indiana to purchase a 1988 Montgomery 15. I was attracted to the M15’s salubrious sailing qualities, seakeeping potential, and high-quality construction. Tere would be tinkering of course. I’m
fussy with sailboats. I had a new mainsail made, about 30% larger, swapped out all of the chalky old deck hardware for Harken’s best jewelry, added an electrical system and running lights, and fitted the interior with a tiny galley. Crawling around the diminutive M15
during my upgrade cycle revealed first- class construction details. Strong, con- sistent, well-engineered fiberglass work, executed by craftsmen. If you can find one built by Jerry (roughly 1980 to 1993) that isn’t full of rainwater, it would be an excellent subject for restoration. I cruised in my 1988 model for up to
a week at a time. Te M15 was satisfying to sail, even for someone coming out of racing dinghies. Responsive, fast for a 750-pound boat, pretty much up for any-
18
1. I had a larger mainsail made, with a full-length top batten. I had to reef earlier. 2. Te stock rudder has one of the better kick-up schemes I’ve encountered. 3. Noxious eggbeater. Te Monty sails well enough not to need it in many places. 4. Te cockpit is a bit under six feet long. Two adults are a crowd.
5. Te keel-centerboard is great for stability and keeps the trunk out of the cabin. But expect regular maintenance and repair to keep the centerboard fom jamming.
6. I installed a solar panel atop the companionway hatch.
7. Te bow pulpit is a great feature. Not while underway–you don’t hang around up there! But when managing the boat at the dock it’s an indispensable hand-hold.
8. Roller furling, managed fom the safety of the cockpit. 9. I swapped in a racing jib fom my Windmill Class racer.
thing. Te keel-centerboard arrangement is the best compromise between shoal draſt (14 inches board-up) and ballasted stability. In the hands of a skilled and cautious skipper, the Bahamas are within reach on a good weather report. Alas, I got too busy building boats to make that dream come true. Te M15 has a miniature coach over
the cabin, reminiscent of Manry’s Tin- kerbelle, with side decks. One does not walk forward to “work the foredeck” in a 14'11" boat. All sail handling is done standing in the companionway. Which brings me to my only real quibble: at six feet tall, I never figured out where to sit in the cabin. I would pile dunnage at the aſt
end of the berth and assume a reclining position. Tis was lovely, of course, pro- vided you never had to move. I budgeted two weeks of spinal recovery for every week spent aboard. A raised deck–that is, no side decks–
would have added much-needed volume. You could then sit facing athwartships in the cabin with your back against the hull side. The additional freeboard would also provide reserve buoyancy to counter a nasty knockdown. Not that small craſt skippers should place themselves in con- ditions where such a thing could happen. But the Montgomery 15’s capability will entice some of you into adventures. Tis boat is hungry for the horizon. •SCA•
SMALL CRAFT ADVISOR
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
