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M17 Solo-Voyager November 2007
I received an E-mail from Austria: A man who is a very experienced solo sailor inquired about a custom crafted Montgomery 17. He had read about the M17's racing record, the strength of construction, our use of high quality materials, and the M17's proven seaworthiness that Naval Architect Lyle C. Hess instilled into his designs.
Every once in a while we get a special project to create. I've been building strong, high quality sailboats, year in and year out for 27 years. Every boat that leaves our boatshop is as close to flawless as we can get. Montgomery Boats / Nor'Sea Yachts hopes you enjoy the following examples. If you are interested in quality of design, purpose and construction, give me a call... 949.489.8227 Bob Eeg
This client from the other side of the world wanted a boat that could take a Force 10 storm. (It can) He wanted a boat that would go to weather; claw upwind off a lee shore. (It can). He wanted a boat that was self-righting and had a proper ballast/displacement ratio. (It is and it does). He wanted a boat that could carry weight; food and water; supplies and safety gear for 100 days at sea. (It will). He wanted to fit a Windvane self steering to do the long days in the tradewinds; to be able to set the self steering while he runs downwind for weeks at a time. (It does)
The man is Willi (Wilhelm): He has completed several solo passages in the Mediterranean, the Red Sea and the South Atlantic. With experience behind his decisions, he was very sure of exactly what he wanted in a Solo-Voyager. And, he wanted me to build him a Montgomery 17.
Oh... did I mention? no engine, no motor mount; powered by oars and wind only.
Ok... let's get started:
The man is Willi (Wilhelm): He has completed several solo passages in the Mediterranean, the Red Sea and the South Atlantic. With experience behind his decisions, he was very sure of exactly what he wanted in a Solo-Voyager. And, he wanted me to build him a Montgomery 17.
Oh... did I mention? no engine, no motor mount; powered by oars and wind only.
Ok... let's get started:
Early on, Willi wanted a boat that could survive a roll-over in a Force 10 Storm. He decided to have us create a custom, waterproof aluminum door complete with opening Lewmar port and high quality Ritchie compass. The door is easily removable by lifting her up on the stainless hinges (upper left photos). Stainless mast step (see note at bottom of this page) had several loops added for turning blocks, boom vang and other gear (center right photo) And, you can see the watertight door installation and the overall look of this Voyager in the right photo above.
(see photos above) We switched to all stainless on the cleats. Willi intends to use a Drogue Sea Anchor if needed and wanted several hard points for that purpose. and, added a short one inch wide Genoa track for the blocks that control the wind vane steering. And, we installed waterproof, Lewmar stainless opening ports in the deck house.
When the hull was finished, we bolted on the all Stainless steel, high quality, Norvane Self Steering gear. We epoxied the hull and deck and clamped it over the weekend. The hull and deck flange on the Montgomery 17 is out-turning. Providing the strongest and most waterproof seam in the industry.
When the hull was finished, we bolted on the all Stainless steel, high quality, Norvane Self Steering gear. We epoxied the hull and deck and clamped it over the weekend. The hull and deck flange on the Montgomery 17 is out-turning. Providing the strongest and most waterproof seam in the industry.
We thru-bolted the caprail and Genny track to this out-turning flange adding stiffness and durability. We installed (upsized from one inch) 1.25 Genoa track to accommodate custom Oar Lock towers. The next photo shows the custom tiller fitting with cleats for the windvane steering in the last photo.
All boats need a proper foredeck chock/anchoring system. This is standard on the M17, but for Willi, we did install one extra stainless steel cleat. For ventilation purposes he already had 3 opening ports; however in bad rain or sloppy seas, we decided to install a stainless, solar powered vent on the cabin top. This vent can be shut off and closed from below and will change the air inside every 4 minutes.
Since most small boats are anchored initially from the stern. We decided to add both starboard and portside stainless anchor chocks to ease raising the 1/4 inch stainless chain rode and keep the boat free of nicks and scratches.
Since most small boats are anchored initially from the stern. We decided to add both starboard and portside stainless anchor chocks to ease raising the 1/4 inch stainless chain rode and keep the boat free of nicks and scratches.
As mentioned before, we needed special oarlock towers which would slide on the 1.25 inch Genoa track. My friends at Garhauer built them off my drawing. The design specified a certain height for clearance and strength specifics to withstand the force generated by the 12 foot breakdown custom aluminum oars. The ballance came out great and with each oar broken down into two six foot pieces, they stow easily.
It's time to raise the mast, rig and sails - everything fit perfectly. We added a six foot Genoa track to the forward part of the mast for the Down-Wind poles which were purchased and modified for proper fit. Below are additional Windvane photos...
It's time to raise the mast, rig and sails - everything fit perfectly. We added a six foot Genoa track to the forward part of the mast for the Down-Wind poles which were purchased and modified for proper fit. Below are additional Windvane photos...
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The boat was finished! We decided to launch her at the San Diego Yacht Club, about 120 miles south of our boatshop in Ontario, California. People passing on the freeway were giving us the thumbs up for this stunning M17.
We arrived at the Yacht Club and hosted a large crowd of sailors who had gathered around Strawanza. Fortunately, they brought beer. (I love a drinking club with a boating problem - - hahaha). The San Diego Yacht Club is 121 years old, they have 550 slips and a large staff, good bar, a full time Chef and an excellent Sunday Brunch...what else could we ask for..?
You do have to launch your own boat with the Club Hoist, so we roped up Strawanza and slowly pressed the up button. Yes... she moved skyward. Setting her in the water, she floated properly on her lines! We had raised the waterline 2 inches at the factory in anticipation of the weight of stores and supplies for those long, solo-passages. We hit the mark. We got a slip assignment and had left the oars in the Van. The Yacht Club Tender was passing by and they offered a tow to the Guest Slip.
Willi's homeport and yacht club is in Namibia, South Africa.He will sail Strawanza down the coast, across the Pacific, thru Australia, thru the Indian Ocean, to the South Atlantic, to the West coast of Africa and home. Planned time enroute, including stopovers is around 15 months. We at Montgomery Boats wish Willi and Strawanza a safe and pleasant voyage to Africa; Fair winds and following seas.
This was a fun project!
We arrived at the Yacht Club and hosted a large crowd of sailors who had gathered around Strawanza. Fortunately, they brought beer. (I love a drinking club with a boating problem - - hahaha). The San Diego Yacht Club is 121 years old, they have 550 slips and a large staff, good bar, a full time Chef and an excellent Sunday Brunch...what else could we ask for..?
You do have to launch your own boat with the Club Hoist, so we roped up Strawanza and slowly pressed the up button. Yes... she moved skyward. Setting her in the water, she floated properly on her lines! We had raised the waterline 2 inches at the factory in anticipation of the weight of stores and supplies for those long, solo-passages. We hit the mark. We got a slip assignment and had left the oars in the Van. The Yacht Club Tender was passing by and they offered a tow to the Guest Slip.
Willi's homeport and yacht club is in Namibia, South Africa.He will sail Strawanza down the coast, across the Pacific, thru Australia, thru the Indian Ocean, to the South Atlantic, to the West coast of Africa and home. Planned time enroute, including stopovers is around 15 months. We at Montgomery Boats wish Willi and Strawanza a safe and pleasant voyage to Africa; Fair winds and following seas.
This was a fun project!
Bob Eeg
Other items of interest, but not shown:
Willi located and purchased two solar powered lights designed to automatically charge all day and run all night. We made a removable stainless pedestal to mount this light. The other one mounts in the interior. These lights are quite remarkable. They are the Marine 501 Light. For information ( click here ).
The boat was conceived and created to be basic: Two Garmin handheld AA battery powered GPS (one is backup). Solar powered hand lights, solar powered AA battery charger, sextant, charts and the knowledge to use them. Cooking is done on a Seaswing stove, dishes are hung overboard in a mesh bag and finally, a bucket for a port-a-potty.
Mast step with the added loops is to be offered on new construction only.
Fortunately they are easy to create:
1. find a welding shop in the yellow pages.
2. Remove your mast step
3. order three Suncor 1" stainless steel O-rings from West Marine (click here ) or other marine supply company. (you'll want a marine stainless).
4. take the rings and step to the welder and tell them to cut the rings in half (you'll have 5 pieces for the loops and 1 extra) and weld them to the step at about a 33-35% angle. Click to enlarge and download the "step" photo below for reference at the welders.
5. Re-bed and re-install the step.
It will be an adventure!
Willi located and purchased two solar powered lights designed to automatically charge all day and run all night. We made a removable stainless pedestal to mount this light. The other one mounts in the interior. These lights are quite remarkable. They are the Marine 501 Light. For information ( click here ).
The boat was conceived and created to be basic: Two Garmin handheld AA battery powered GPS (one is backup). Solar powered hand lights, solar powered AA battery charger, sextant, charts and the knowledge to use them. Cooking is done on a Seaswing stove, dishes are hung overboard in a mesh bag and finally, a bucket for a port-a-potty.
Mast step with the added loops is to be offered on new construction only.
Fortunately they are easy to create:
1. find a welding shop in the yellow pages.
2. Remove your mast step
3. order three Suncor 1" stainless steel O-rings from West Marine (click here ) or other marine supply company. (you'll want a marine stainless).
4. take the rings and step to the welder and tell them to cut the rings in half (you'll have 5 pieces for the loops and 1 extra) and weld them to the step at about a 33-35% angle. Click to enlarge and download the "step" photo below for reference at the welders.
5. Re-bed and re-install the step.
It will be an adventure!
Strawanza
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