Reader Boat: Montgomery 15
Article by Gary Halliburton
Long Beach is one of the best places to sail because you can pick from several different locations, depending on weather and water conditions. Alamitos Bay has many spots and plenty of room to sail in a protected area. One can sail or motor around Naples, Marine Stadium, or many waterfront homes. Sailing in the protected area inside the breakwater is about 5 square miles of usually calm water, but it’s occasionally a gusty area with a little chop. One can always venture beyond the breakwater for a more adventurous and longer sail. Also, there are several waterfront restaurants with docks if you need a meal break.
I’ve been sailing with two friends who are veterans of the SoCal Potters. They occasionally call themselves SCURVY DOGs (So Cal Unit of Retired Voyaging Yachtsmen Drifting On like Gobs). We launch at Davey’s Ramp and motor out of Alamitos Bay to the area protected by the breakwater. We usually sail toward the Queen Mary and then turn toward the breakwater and sail parallel to it toward Seal Beach. We then round the oil rig, Esther, and the two buoys for the entrance to the Seal Beach Weapons Docks. We then turn back and head toward Alamitos Bay. It’s typically a 17-mile sail in about 4 to 5 hours, depending on the wind strength.
I have owned a 15-foot Chrysler Mutineer, two Potter 15s, a Potter 19, a Catalina 22 and now a Montgomery 15. Of all the boats I’ve experienced, the Montgomery 15, Messing About, sails with the responsiveness, speed and stability of a much larger boat. (Much like my old Catalina, but I don’t have to wait for the tide to go out before I can sail under the launch ramp’s bridge.) The ease and speed of setting up is much like my smaller boats, the Potters and the Mutineer. But the Monty sails faster and has a larger, more comfortable cockpit.
Compared to the other boats I sail with, the Neptune 16 is the closest in design. The Montgomery is a little more tender so I have to reef a bit earlier. The Neptune’s cabin is slightly taller inside, and it does have a foot of extra length over the Montgomery.
Modifications I’ve made are few. I added a downhaul for the jib, so I can strike it quickly when docking and when the weather picks up. I also added a tiller extension made from an old ski pole and a Racelite tiller extension swivel from Duckworks. This sped up my boat by letting me sit father forward, placing my weight nearer to the center. •SCA•
First appeared in issue #130
Gary: You're talking about my sailing home! Nice to see an article from the west coast. I've been sailing around Alamitos Bay and the outer harbor for 60 years in all kinds of different boats: Sabot, Skimmer (extinct local version of an Inland Lake scow), Sailfish, Malibu Outrigger, Hobie 16, Neptune 16, Santana 21 and, for the last 13 years, a Hobie Adventure Island (I'm on my second one; bought the updated version in 2015). I'm kind of surprised I haven't run into you, as you've exactly described my typical day on the water. I leave from my sand stake on the peninsula, head out the channel, and either out to Queens Gate if the wind is easterly, or along the shoreline, which I did yesterday. I can get through the tiny gap between Island White and the shore and drift around the downtown Long Beach Marina, which provides a nice calm interlude before heading back outside. My days are all some variation of your route. I love it out there. When I get a couple of miles offshore, Long Beach looks just like it did in my youth! Takes me right back.
I'm getting along and the Hobie is starting to be a handful to set up and break down. I love the Adventure Island, but going out is an all-day commitment. Lately I've been thinking about getting back into a small monohull in a slip and the Monty 15 is tops on my list. The idea of going out for a couple of hours whenever the mood strikes is awfully appealing. Anyway, If you see a golden papaya Hobie A-I (I'm nearly always the only one out there), give me a shout!
Of the many boats I’ve sailed, my M15 was simply the most fun … hands down!