Dang it , I’ve got work to do and now all i want to do is go pull my M15 out of the shop n get her ready to sail while i gloat at my luck at owning one of these rare jewels! Now back to drudgery on the laptop- knowing in a few weeks our mountain lake will be warm enough to go sail.
I only voted for the M15 cuz I have one :). It's often said you can be on the water in 15 minutes w/one. My response to that is, Yeah, good luck. Putting in, and pulling out is frankly such an ordeal, I leave mine in the water all summer. My biggest gripe about the M15 is the lack of an anchor locker. I consider the M15 a mini-cruiser, and not a day boat. As such, an anchor locker would've been grand, as you really can't use the forepeak for much anyway. Why not have it closed off, so that an anchor and rode could have fit inside there. I adapted, by installing a small metal bowsprit for the Mantus anchor to be snug up against it when sailing, and, in order to launch, I sit on the foredeck, butt against the coach roof, and slowly pull the rode up into a mesh water proof bag, until anchor is fully weighed, and then let all of the rode lie there on the foredeck inside the bag, which is secured to the bow deck with bungies and short lines. The boat begins moving once the anchor is off the sea floor, so there's no time to dilly dally with getting all ship-shape and secured. Meanwhile, the foot of the jib is high enough to ride above the bag. It's not all that pretty, but it works. Some have suggested to me to simply lead the anchor line back to the cockpit and pile it all up there. All I can say to that idea, is that unless you enjoy mud being pasted all over your side deck and cockpit (and self!), don't do it. Same thing happens if hoisting the anchor itself and all the rode and chain, directly from the cockpit into a lazarette or cockpit locker. Same messy muddy result. There's just few things in life more tenacious and sticky and dirt-if-ying than sea mud no matter how much you shake the chain and anchor on its way up. Smell's not too endearing either. Everything else about the boat is grand. The hull's quiet and strong. Have spent many a peaceful night nestled snug in the cabin. Sails like a champ in the lightest of winds.
I've only sailed on the ComPac that was owned by a friend a few decades ago, so can't judge the others (other than the article info). I did like the CP, she was solid, trustworthy. The younger me had no problem with the cuddy cabin space overnight.
The Monty is probably the "best boat" of the three but the little Potter is easier to rig and launch, pulls up onto a beach, and delivers smiles like no other!
Dang it , I’ve got work to do and now all i want to do is go pull my M15 out of the shop n get her ready to sail while i gloat at my luck at owning one of these rare jewels! Now back to drudgery on the laptop- knowing in a few weeks our mountain lake will be warm enough to go sail.
Half the fun is planning! Well, maybe a third of the fun.
I've had all THREE!!.....MONTY 15 covers the most bases!!...M15. #708.."six"
I only voted for the M15 cuz I have one :). It's often said you can be on the water in 15 minutes w/one. My response to that is, Yeah, good luck. Putting in, and pulling out is frankly such an ordeal, I leave mine in the water all summer. My biggest gripe about the M15 is the lack of an anchor locker. I consider the M15 a mini-cruiser, and not a day boat. As such, an anchor locker would've been grand, as you really can't use the forepeak for much anyway. Why not have it closed off, so that an anchor and rode could have fit inside there. I adapted, by installing a small metal bowsprit for the Mantus anchor to be snug up against it when sailing, and, in order to launch, I sit on the foredeck, butt against the coach roof, and slowly pull the rode up into a mesh water proof bag, until anchor is fully weighed, and then let all of the rode lie there on the foredeck inside the bag, which is secured to the bow deck with bungies and short lines. The boat begins moving once the anchor is off the sea floor, so there's no time to dilly dally with getting all ship-shape and secured. Meanwhile, the foot of the jib is high enough to ride above the bag. It's not all that pretty, but it works. Some have suggested to me to simply lead the anchor line back to the cockpit and pile it all up there. All I can say to that idea, is that unless you enjoy mud being pasted all over your side deck and cockpit (and self!), don't do it. Same thing happens if hoisting the anchor itself and all the rode and chain, directly from the cockpit into a lazarette or cockpit locker. Same messy muddy result. There's just few things in life more tenacious and sticky and dirt-if-ying than sea mud no matter how much you shake the chain and anchor on its way up. Smell's not too endearing either. Everything else about the boat is grand. The hull's quiet and strong. Have spent many a peaceful night nestled snug in the cabin. Sails like a champ in the lightest of winds.
I've only sailed on the ComPac that was owned by a friend a few decades ago, so can't judge the others (other than the article info). I did like the CP, she was solid, trustworthy. The younger me had no problem with the cuddy cabin space overnight.
I’ve never actually sailed any of these, therefore, my vote doesn’t carry much weight. All are of interest to me.
Great to read the article again and revisit those three great boats
The Monty is probably the "best boat" of the three but the little Potter is easier to rig and launch, pulls up onto a beach, and delivers smiles like no other!