Rick G

Thanks Tom, I'm overwhelmed with the amount of info there now is on the net since I was last involved in building a boat. The Mid-Atlantic Small boat Festival at the CBMM was a great time, always good to be able to swap ideas with like minded people. I'm happy to report that there were two CS-17's and one CS-20 in the water. Was able to speak to both CS-17 owners and get some photos of both rigs; one sleeved sails on wooden masts (bird's mouth), the other slides on aluminum 3-section masts. Spoke to one of the museum staff who gave me the short lesson in rig balance but this has whet my appetite for more understanding. So, I'm off to locate my still-boxed-from-the-last-move boat books where I hope to find my copy of John Gardner's "Classic Small Craft You Can build" where there is supposed to be a good chapter on the things that affect sail boat balance.

Tom H, thanks for that reassurance! I

Thanks guys, I knew I could count on you all for some input. My idea is to make a pair of CS 17 masts and order sails from Graham to answer the first question. That is if the transformation can be proven to be feasible. I will still pursue building a CS 17 in the future and having the driving force already secured would give me a small leg up. I have an attachment to this Wayfarer (#8019, "Loon"), even have a signed copy of Frank Dye's book, "Ocean Crossing Wayfarer", so I don't want to attempt this w/o seriously proving it out first. Two of my concerns have been voiced already, that is confirming that the CS 17 masts/sails will provide a balanced helm, and of course, that the structural soundness can be had. This determination is way out of my realm of knowledge, so it will probably be some fun learning about all the intricacies involved. I bought Loon from Ron Mueller (now Wayland Marine) who used to offer Wayfarer kits when he was living in Arvada, Colorado. This particular hull was built by he and a friend of his, was for sale, and needed some TLC. It was the late 80's, I was living in Goshen, Indiana at the time, drove to Arvada in January on the promise of our local weatherman that I had a "window of opportunity", but ended up towing her home in a full Midwest Blizzard. If my memory serves me, Ron included the construction binder and some plans with her which I will now have to locate. I do some CAD work for a couple small architectural millwork firms in my area that are too small to employ a full time draftsman, so have my own seat of AutoCad. I will attempt to use that and Graham's plans to get the lay of the CS 17 rig drawn and then if I can find the Wayfarer items, draw them and see how they stack up. Lacking them, I'll just have to measure Loon and go from there. This will be a start in any event!

Hi folks, been a long time since I was here last. Trying to decide what to do with my 16' wood Wayfarer sloop the other evening I had the wild hare (hair?) of an idea that maybe I could change her sail plan to cat ketch from sloop, and this forum seemed a good place to begin. A few years back I had the immense pleasure to sail aboard a CS 17 at the Chesapeake Maritime Museum Small Craft gathering and can't stop thinking I'd rather sail a cat ketch than a sloop rig. I have a set of CS 17 plans, but am not able to get one going in the near future, and, I have the Wayfarer. Would anyone be so kind as to air their opinions, set me on a path, or tell me I'm nuts?

Tim, You have made my day, and a pic to boot! What make trailer are you using and are you happy with it? Ray, unfortunately the garage backs up to the kitchen and when I suggested a "boat pouch" into that area, the wife gave a negative response. Modifying the Wayfarer trailer w/a removable tongue is not a bad idea. Jeff, thanks! If the CS17 project goes well, the next challenge is to figure a way to fit a Belhaven in there...

Hi all, we are moving to a new home and the garage is only 20' deep. Would any of you know if it would be possible to fit a Core Sound 17 on a trailer in that space along w/the masts? I have a 16' Wayfarer now and on the trailer it's 21' long O.A., but it looks like if I'd slide all I can forward, the boat would fit, but not w/the mast. I've sailed aboard the CS 17 and love the boat and as soon as I can find a buyer for the Wayfarer and get settled in the new digs, I hope to start building one. I've had the plans for far too long...