gray duck Posted July 1, 2015 Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 First let me begin by thanking all on this site and especially Graham, the designer of these great boats. I know this has been discussed before but I wanted to ask for peoples' opinions for my situation. I live in Charleston and currently have a 1980 Catalina 22, a Shellback (Joel White design) I made, and a sunfish. The catalina is the family go sailing boat and is nice because it is fairly dry, there's a huge cabin for a 20 ft boat, I have an asymmetrical spinnaker which is fun and believe it or not makes the boat really move, I keep the boat on a trailer at the club and launching is a bit of a chore with extending the tongue and dealing with the strong cross currents if the tide is running. Charleston is a great place to sail and we usually have good wind (10-14 most days) although Race Week here this year was uncommonly calm. The harbor also has it's challenges such as strong tides, large ships, lots of boats, and the shifting winds around bridges, buildings and points - which can make it seem like you're close hauled not matter what direction your heading at times. So here are my thoughts on what my ideal sailboat would be like here in Charleston: 1. easy to launch and rig 2. needs a motor to deal with tides and for safety to get out of way of container ships 3. able to go to windward well 3b. able to go fast - hopefully plane on reaches - ability to fly asymmetrical 4. dry enough in cockpit for sailing in "Charleston Chop" 5. able to be singlehanded (I can do this on the Catalina 22 - even with asymmetrical in light airs) 6. typically with family sail we will have 4-6 people on board 7. comfortable to sail Many thanks Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Designer Posted July 1, 2015 Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 Bill, I have sailed around the Charleston area and you described the conditions perfectly. I think that you would be better off with the 20 if you want to sail with that many people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken_Potts Posted July 1, 2015 Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 Hi Bill, I spent a thanksgiving weekend sailing Charleston Harbor and I had a very nice time in my CS17 (that's the weekend I met my Wife!) I agree with Graham that a 20 will be better for the number of people you want to take sailing. I think a Core Sound is perfectly suited to those waters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gray duck Posted July 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2015 Thanks for the replies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick Ludwig Posted July 2, 2015 Report Share Posted July 2, 2015 I hope to sail down there in my CS-17 Mk-3, Summer Breeze, when I get her finished. It will be this fall or next spring. Maybe we can do a cruise together when you get yours done. I agree with the other guys that a Core Sound will be great for Charleston. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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