Well....

Posted By: Jason Smith
Date: 10/29/08 9:59p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: M15 (Bill Kaiser)

Hi Bill, I simply misjudged the capability of the M-15 when I saw it. The owner was telling me how great his M-15 handled 20 knots and 4' wind chop and I just couldn't see it. I had been forcing my Catalina 22, a boat three times the displacement, to endure similar conditions routinely and although it was a safe boat and never let me down it became obvious that the Catalina wasn't able to sail well in those conditions. I fealt like I was "forcing" the Catalina in those conditions. It resisted (and resented) my commands - the captain's questionable skills notwithstanding. I found it hard to reconcile how a much smaller boat could do "well" in those conditions. I was just naive. I hadn't yet learned to appreciate what purposeful design and quality construction could do. My M-15 taught me how a boat should behave under sail. I find the Monty well balanced, well behaved, and eager. It's a bit hard to explain really. Another surprise to me was the pure enjoyment that comes from a tiny boat. Maintenance is a piece of cake - that's big for me. My young daugher loves it. Lastly, I underestimated the usability of the Monty's interior. The interior of the boat is the bees knees, and I must warn you that here is where I go way off topic. The Monty is small yes. No question about it. Numbers don't lie. But I find it surprisingly enjoyable (I'm in my mid-30s and can still move around pretty good). It's smaller inside then my Catalina, but my wife and I find the interior easier to live with. The trouble with the Catalina 22 is that the visual appeal of the interior is superior to the actual design. When you go inside the Catalina 22 your mind fools you into thinking it's a large boat. There's a sink with a faucet, a table, seats, etc. I mean subconciously it looks like a real cruiser and your body thinks it should be able to move around easily. BUT...then you bonk your head a few dozen times. Soon you realize that everyone else is bonking their head inside your boat. The wife is complaining and wants a helmet. Then you finally realize that it looks bigger than it actually is and you do actually need to move slowly and thoughtfully to avoid cranial collisions. You think you learned the lesson and them BAM you do it again - doh! The Monty gives no such false impression. It's small and your brain knows it. You move slowly, carefully, methodically, and cranial collisions are a thing of the past. Ergo easier to live with. It is unpretentious about its volume and I like that. Bill, I appreciate your indulgence. Best regards and happy sailing. Jason Smith Hood River, OR M-15 #411