I'll vote Sanibel, based on displacement and keel. This is a much more even playing field than round 1, with no open boat or water ballast options.
I've been out in a Ranger 20 in force 5 - 6 conditions, surfing 5 foot waves sailing downwind against the tide. The boat was well balanced and under control. Wouldn't wanna bash to windward in those conditions though!
While I like the Sanibel…it is probably the least sea worthy (round bottom/ small CB/ offset, internal ballast h2o would need lots of help!)….PS…your photo is M15/ not M17!!
I owned a SunCat for several years and loved it for lake sailing. However, with one sail, and one reefing point on the sail, I wouldn't want to be in a strong blow with it - altho I would probably break before it did. That being said, I wish I never sold mine!
I looked 'em up in sailboatdata for kicks, and sure enough, Sanibel has a significantly higher (less seaworthy) capsize ratio than the centerboard Mariner 19; so, if this is the number for the centerboard model, naval architects have proven me wrong once again! I admit I owned the Mariner over 45 years ago, right after I sold my Bristol 26, so it seemed a bit tippy to me then.............. After many decades of trailersailing, I need to change my "worst" vote to the Ranger 20...which I greatly admire, but cannot be buttoned up in really foul weather.
I've owned four of the five; a Sanibel, a Suncat, an M15, and a Mariner. Although the canvas-only cover for that huge hole down into the cabin of the Ranger gives me pause, I think the little Mariner with the retractable keel might be overwhelmed first. Properly sailed, both the Suncat and Sanibel can be kept on their feet if buttoned up and reefed down enough, in spite of the lack of a keel (but with low ballast in a fairly seaworthy hull form). Winner is the Montgomery 15, in my book.
I'd sure like to know which boat folks would think is the most stable and apt to survive. Also main reason for their idea of 1st to go and the one with better staying power.
The Ranger is essentially an open boat, I’ve always hated the design of that cabin. If water is coming aboard in scary conditions, that’s the one you can’t just drop all sail and ride it out in. The wind tears that Bimini off and you’re in trouble.
Had a Suncat. Not fun in heavy gusts unless reefed early. I don’t know all the others that well though so probably unfair to say it would be the first to get in trouble. Just not great fun to sail above 20 knots of wind
This is more a matter of my own inability to imagine handling a carboat in a hard chance than it is any knowledge of these five boats. From my Potter 15 to the Vega 27, dealing with adverse wind conditions involved heaving to under jib and reefing the main or, in one instance, running off with just the jib. The jib and good reefing gear were key to my ability to manage the boats. My really small boats down to my puddle duck all had deep reefs in their (single) standing lugs, but they derived their bad weather safety mainly from my cowardice.
I owned a Suncat for six years and trusted it in all kinds of weather conditions. Caught in a 50 mile an hour rainstorm with no room to run, said a few prayers and made it through. The Montgomery has a great reputation so I would put it in the top three. Don't know much about the Ranger but like the looks. They built a lot of Oday Mariners and believe they are a well above average Boat. Put the Sanibel as my pick mostly on looks in pictures because have never seen one.
A far safer round of vessels but they all appear to have large cockpits for the size of boats. Hope they have some proper drains but this is something that is often not addressed even in larger boats
I'll vote Sanibel, based on displacement and keel. This is a much more even playing field than round 1, with no open boat or water ballast options.
I've been out in a Ranger 20 in force 5 - 6 conditions, surfing 5 foot waves sailing downwind against the tide. The boat was well balanced and under control. Wouldn't wanna bash to windward in those conditions though!
Agreed. The Ranger 20 is a surprising design. Okay , well just okay in light winds. Great in moderate and will hold it's own when the winds get heavy.
While I like the Sanibel…it is probably the least sea worthy (round bottom/ small CB/ offset, internal ballast h2o would need lots of help!)….PS…your photo is M15/ not M17!!
Text fixed in poll. Thanks, Dan.
I owned a SunCat for several years and loved it for lake sailing. However, with one sail, and one reefing point on the sail, I wouldn't want to be in a strong blow with it - altho I would probably break before it did. That being said, I wish I never sold mine!
I looked 'em up in sailboatdata for kicks, and sure enough, Sanibel has a significantly higher (less seaworthy) capsize ratio than the centerboard Mariner 19; so, if this is the number for the centerboard model, naval architects have proven me wrong once again! I admit I owned the Mariner over 45 years ago, right after I sold my Bristol 26, so it seemed a bit tippy to me then.............. After many decades of trailersailing, I need to change my "worst" vote to the Ranger 20...which I greatly admire, but cannot be buttoned up in really foul weather.
I've owned four of the five; a Sanibel, a Suncat, an M15, and a Mariner. Although the canvas-only cover for that huge hole down into the cabin of the Ranger gives me pause, I think the little Mariner with the retractable keel might be overwhelmed first. Properly sailed, both the Suncat and Sanibel can be kept on their feet if buttoned up and reefed down enough, in spite of the lack of a keel (but with low ballast in a fairly seaworthy hull form). Winner is the Montgomery 15, in my book.
I'd sure like to know which boat folks would think is the most stable and apt to survive. Also main reason for their idea of 1st to go and the one with better staying power.
The Ranger is essentially an open boat, I’ve always hated the design of that cabin. If water is coming aboard in scary conditions, that’s the one you can’t just drop all sail and ride it out in. The wind tears that Bimini off and you’re in trouble.
Had a Suncat. Not fun in heavy gusts unless reefed early. I don’t know all the others that well though so probably unfair to say it would be the first to get in trouble. Just not great fun to sail above 20 knots of wind
This is more a matter of my own inability to imagine handling a carboat in a hard chance than it is any knowledge of these five boats. From my Potter 15 to the Vega 27, dealing with adverse wind conditions involved heaving to under jib and reefing the main or, in one instance, running off with just the jib. The jib and good reefing gear were key to my ability to manage the boats. My really small boats down to my puddle duck all had deep reefs in their (single) standing lugs, but they derived their bad weather safety mainly from my cowardice.
My apolgies - SCBA was to have been SCA
Found interesting article from SCBA issue #49 Jan/Feb 2008. Mariner review can be found going to Stuart Marine website.
I do feel these boats are equally capable.
It's the wind and sea state here that would separate the men from the boys.
I should have reported to Josh sooner that he needs to attach the names of the boats to the photos.
Order the pictures the same as the vote please.
I owned a Suncat for six years and trusted it in all kinds of weather conditions. Caught in a 50 mile an hour rainstorm with no room to run, said a few prayers and made it through. The Montgomery has a great reputation so I would put it in the top three. Don't know much about the Ranger but like the looks. They built a lot of Oday Mariners and believe they are a well above average Boat. Put the Sanibel as my pick mostly on looks in pictures because have never seen one.
A far safer round of vessels but they all appear to have large cockpits for the size of boats. Hope they have some proper drains but this is something that is often not addressed even in larger boats