Montgomery 7-11 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Montgomery 7-11 was designed by Lyle Hess, a naval architect celebrated for his traditional and capable small boat designs. While specific production years for the Montgomery 7-11 are not readily available, it was built by Montgomery Marine Products, a company founded by Jerry Montgomery in 1969 that operated until 1995. Montgomery Marine Products established a strong reputation for crafting high-quality, robust, and often trailerable fiberglass sailboats, with Jerry Montgomery himself serving as the primary designer for much of their range. The 7-11, though designed by Hess, reflects the builder's commitment to well-engineered designs for recreational sailors. It features a cat-rig, meaning it sports a single unstayed mast and sail, and is equipped with twin daggerboards, contributing to its shallow draft capabilities and directional stability.

Sailing Performance and Handling

As a highly lightweight dinghy displacing only 89 pounds with a length overall of 7.92 feet, the Montgomery 7-11 is designed for easy handling and responsiveness in calm to moderate conditions. Due to its diminutive size, traditional performance ratios commonly used for larger cruising vessels are not applicable. Its cat-rig configuration and twin daggerboards suggest a design focused on simplicity and maneuverability, making it well-suited for light-air sailing on protected waters. The unstayed rig offers ease of setup and breakdown, reinforcing its identity as a convenient daysailer.

Accommodations and Layout

Given its extremely compact dimensions and role as a sailing dinghy, the Montgomery 7-11 offers minimal, if any, enclosed accommodations. Its design prioritizes open cockpit space for a single sailor or possibly a small child, rather than interior living amenities. There is no specified headroom, and any storage would likely be limited to small, open cubbies or bags that can be secured in the cockpit. The boat's emphasis is entirely on the pure sailing experience, unencumbered by the complexities of an interior layout.