Kidd

Sorry, I remembered the bowsprit but I guess I forgot the purpose of it. :oops:

Do you anticipate the headsail will help her go to weather better?

Wonderful story. Did you also make your rigging hardware? That looks like a beautiful place to sail.

Slave drivers. These guys expect everything :!:

I have never sailed anywhere near what the Everglades Challenge is (in terms of endurance, distance etc.). I have singlehandedly sailed and rowed my CS 17 for considerable distances. The only thing I haven't done that you will need to do on the Challenge is to ship the main mast. I have never needed to do that on the water but I feel like I could do it if needed.

It sounds like the race is going to become like one of the many marathons or road races where anyone can compete but only a small portion of those running will have a chance. It will make for some exciting inovations in boat design though.

It seems to me that anytime you have a cool idea for a race, it isn't long before people start designing equipment specifically to win this race. If this were not so, would Indy cars exist?

I have 1 oar station on my CS 17 in front of the mizzen. I remember a post from Graham saying he was going to put a second set of sweeps on his CS17 for the first Everglades Challenge. Maybe he will chime in. My oars are 8 feet long and they are perfect as far as length.

CS will now stand for Cutty Sark with all that sail!

Head the warning about fairing the wood flour fillets while they are soft. Trust me on this. :oops:

I just wanted to vouch for Ray's comment on Meranti plywood. I used it on my CS 17 and it works fine. It is, however, heavier than the Okume. Don't forget to post your pictures. On another thought, If you attend Clemson, I am fairly sure you are familiar with lake Hartwell. This is a great place to sail a CS of any size

Most people coat the wood with epoxy. I did. I didn't figure out until half way through the hull just how much easier it is to coat the wood while it is laying flat. It doesn't noticibly change the stiffness of the wood to my mind.

I used the butt joints like in the plans. They have worked fine so far.

Scott, I really hope this thing comes to fruit. I would love to see your boat. In particular, how you rig your stays'l.

Count me in the Kentucky lake thing!! I have been wanting to sail there since my boat was launched. Just need a reason to go that far to sail.

I can't think of any reason that wouldn't work. I have some friends that live a block off the bay. I really have been wanting to sail there. A CS 20 would be just the ticket. It would be a big boat to pull out by yourself though.

I have run my CS 17 on the beach on numerous occasions. I have never pulled it all the way up on the beach.By using some kind of cart I think that 2 people could launch from a beach or bank easily. Given a friendly slope.

My oars are positioned in front of the mizzen. I throw a cushion on the centerboard trunk and row from there. Oars are 8' long and work pretty well. I have the locks raised 1" above the side decks. Combined with the hight of the oar locks themselves this just gets the oars over the coaming. I try not to row any more than I have to but it does work pretty well.

John, I have the lace on sails. I did not have good results lacing them on. I probably wasn't doing it just right but I had a problem with them sagging after a while. I solved this problem by using a separate tie at each lace point on the sail. I tie it just a bit loose so the sail can move. I can now tension the sail better with the halyard than when I laced the sail on. It works great. She tacks well and I am very satisfied with the performance of my sails. My oar locks are made from 1X4 yellow pine. I glued on top of the side decks and ran stainless screws into the inwhale and deck bracing. Sorry I don't have any pictures.

I am still planning on coming. As long as the wife is still employed and we can afford the trip. Really looking forward to it.

Listen to those guys Mike. They are full of good stuff. I just finished (launched) my CS 17 earlier this summer. You are going to have a really cool boat when you get through. Found myself outrunning a Catalina 22 this past Sunday. On a close reach and had the CB only half way down. Rookie captain or something.

She seems to be having a blast and that's what it is all about.

Don't know if you have had her in the water yet, but I was wondering about her secondary stability. How is it?

Congratulations. Aint it cool the way it just falls open and looks like a boat. It was a most exiting experience for me. Second onlyto getting it wet.

Thanks from me too. I may one day break down and get a motor for mine.