Paul356

Dave, I thought about that later and I think you're right. Lower first, then reef as needed. I'm certainly eager to try all this.

I had some difficulty getting to wind in my 17. Mine is a Mark I, meanings the original design with no cabin and no water ballast. Wind was 20-25, estimated, with waves about 2 feet. I try to estimate conservatively. I asked Graham for some advice, and here is a summary of the Old Master's response, with my comments in (parens). I'm trying to summarize accurately, but I invite Graham to jump in if I misstate or omit. As the breeze freshens, first tighten the snotters to flatten and depower the sails. Then "lower" (assume he means reef) the sails "as much as I can get away wit

Adding foto

You definitely need the full length tiller. Especially in a 17, you need to sit up near the middle thwart, especially upwind, even if you're not alone in the boat. You need to keep the crew weight in the center. That requires the full length of the tiller. Mine is shown in the photo. I also have a tiller extension, which isn't shown because I took it off to do some work on it. You'll see my tiller is straight, but that's a matter of convenience in construction. Curved looks nice. As to pivoting, I can't imagine not having the pivot. It would be like a boom that

It's nice to have another B&B in Wisconsin. Plus I like the colors, the name, the wooden seats. All worthy of you and the boat.

My impression in reading about the bivvies is that the top of the "tent" lies right on your sleeping bag. Not sure, but seems that way.

I have a dodger on the CS 17, and really like it. It's quick to set up - 15 seconds - and really cozy under there. I've converted it to a tent for sleeping while camping by adding a tarp, but by itself it provides a lot of shelter and comfort. Now, did I make it? Um, not quite. I ordered a kit from Sailrite, but realized after I got the kit that I'd never get our sewing machine through all those layers. Plus, it seemed really complicated. I ended up making the aluminum bows the way I wanted them with the parts from Sailrite, made an angle gauge to show how they should line up and then t

Hey, Steve, I saw Skeena in WoodenBoat. Congratulations!

Comgrats!

My daughter was with me, as noted, and saved the day. Those kids, eh!

Hey, Steve, Having turtled my 17 a few years ago, I know the embarrassment and chagrin. No surprise you didn't rush to write about this. It took me months to go public, and months to get my confidence back. But I also know the learning that can follow, and certainly laud you for your insightful report. Mine, too, was totally operator error. As my wife just said, "Good for you men to write about this." I'm glad to hear you got back on the water so quickly.

No doubt about it. Boats and their builders talk to each other.

Well, I read it somewhere. Enjoyed it. Liked the cozy cabin and the big spray, among other things.

Looks wonderful.

FWIW, I pulled my 17 to a mess about a couple of years ago behind my 4 cyl camry. No issues, including in the mountains of west Virginia. Kept up with the traffic just fine. Also went to CT and back last summer and round trip Milwaukee to international falls this summer.