As the coronavirus delayed 2020 sailing season begins I’ve received many requests on how to use the reefing systems that Jerry Montgomery installed on the Montgomery 17 & 15 and I installed on the Sage 17 and 15. I covered reefing before and here I’ll provide some more details and some pictures taken of SWEET … More Reefing the Jerry Montgomery designs
For obvious reasons when you are trailering your boat you must ensure that boat is secured to the trailer. In addition you must ensure that the mast is secured to the boat & trailer so that in a sudden stop situation the mast doesn’t become a javelin. … More Safe Trailering – securing boat & mast to trailer for a pocket cruiser road trip
Walking around the trailer I couldn’t see a thing. I ran my hands around the tires and on one things didn’t feel right … a bulge. The section of tire that seemed ‘off’ was resting on the pavement so I couldn’t see much. I moved the truck forward about a foot. Looking at the tire I could clearly see that the tread was failing and cords were showing. Back to the shop I went for a tire change! … More Trailer tire lifespan is short
Besides the joy of going down memory lane and reading old entries, information noted about how the boat sailed, anchorages, weather patterns, etc. are great resources for future voyages. Keeping track of items needing attention when back home is also helpful … this was especially helpful after the first sea trails conducted on AIR BORN in the San Juan and Gulf Islands. … More Keeping a ship’s log
As Spring has come I am touching up AIR BORN’s rudder & tiller varnish. Sage 17 and Montomery 15 owners, as the rudder design is the same, will find this post helpful in doing rudder and tiller maintenance on their boats. … More Spring commissioning – rudder and tiller
a common question is ‘where and how do you cook? … More Feeding the body part 1 – where to cook and what with?
If you plan on leaving your boat in the water for an extended period of time applying antifouling bottom paint to you boat required (usually). Most locations will result in bottom growth after a few weeks, though there are exceptions. … More Antifouling bottom paint: selecting bottom paint
I just love going for a cruise and finding a quiet cove away from all the other boats. Gunkholing requires an anchor. Here I’ll discuss how I store, launch and retrieve an anchor … … More Anchoring
The [Sage 15 and Sage 17] sails way better with a small jib and a reefed main. All boats of this type should have a storm jib – if the winds looks like it’s going to come up to 25 or so, put up the storm jib; you’ll be amazed at how little it slows the boat down to even in a 15 knot wind … More More on sailing in strong & heavy winds
The Sages are very capable sailboats being excellent in light AND heavy winds. I have sailed all of the Sage boats in winds above 20 knots with gusts above 25. The highest winds I’ve sailed a Sage were in the mid-30 knot range in a SageCat & Sage 17. … More Heavy weather sailing – wind
M17 #375 - SWEET PEA 