mattp

Love the shed. Where'd you get it?

Makenmend, A couple of months ago I noticed a picture of your boat with the tent up on Jim Michalak's newsletter and saved a copy as an excellent example of what I am after. I didn't expect to find out that this was a DIY job. Nice work and very encouraging to me! Is it possible to sail with it up? Is it possible to fold the 2 U shaped frames together to leave up as a half tent or dodger? I can imagine you would need something to hold it in this position.

Thanks Dale! It does look very nice and I believe the "very expensive" part. Yours is taller than I envisioned and I wouldn't need anywhere near standing headroom. How does it behave at anchor without a stern line? As far as sailing with the tent up, I feel like I would have to do some creative rerouting with the main sheet to keep from chafing the tent, even if there was plenty of clearance with the foot of the sail. That would be a big selling feature for sure though. I think the intermediate dodger position would be more attainable. Another thought I had is to make a removable skin-on-frame cabin that would bolt or clamp in place for solo cruising and removable for family/group day sailing.

Dale posted a pic on Lennie's build thread showing a really nicely constructed fabric cabin and has inspired me to start a new thread. This is something I have been trying to work out in my head even before we started building the CS-17. Eventually, I hope to make (or have made) something very similar to what Dale has shown. It would fold down flat and be strapped to the deck forward of the coaming when not in use. I'd also like to have an intermediate position (partially up) to act as a spray dodger. This may be a year or two down the road. In the meantime, I roughed out a pennytech tent from left over tarp, PVC conduit, and line. It's cheap, quick to set up, but probably not ideal. I realize It will only be a valid temporary solution because I have a bivy sack I can use if it really starts to rain. So, hopefully Dale and others can shed some light and photos on what has worked for camping enclosures. Did you make or have someone else make? How long does it take to set up?

If you are sailing in the rain...and you are heeled enough that rain water runs off of side deck into cockpit...then a raised side coaming could help. So, it might stop 2% of water from coming in 5% of the time but increases butt soreness by 92%, 40% of the time. Of course, it's easier to bring flush than to raise after the fact.

Have you decided how high above deck to make the coaming (combing maybe)? This is a detail I wish I would have done slightly different, though it will be easy enough to modify. Ours is about 3/8 around the sides and a little higher forward. If I were to do it again, I would have the lip just barely above deck to make it a little more friendly to my behind while hiking out. All you need is a little bit to keep water from running into the cockpit. I realize now that an extra 1/4 in higher has negligible effect on the amount of spray coming in but a large effect on comfort.

Looking good Lennie! Are you building in a storage unit?

I am in Virginia, am very NOT retired, have very limited windows of opportunity, but want to try to get down for this event. Doug's comment about winter sailing caught my attention because my wonderful wife suggested I get out to do something over Presidents Day weekend February 2/13-2/16. My first thought was to pull the CS17 and make every mile driven, a mile driven South and maybe hit the coast in SC somewhere. However, I can be open minded about venue if anyone else has a similar window of opportunity and wants to meet up.

That doesn't sound class legal

Love it! I think these videos will sell the boats like hot cakes. I haven't been able to get my 17 to go windward like that (yet) but I realize that is more due to skipper skill than boat lacking. Has anyone installed hiking straps on one of these boats? I have found myself sticking a toe under the thwart too. A little slip could put some quick separation between skipper and boat.

Looking good Lennie! What type of gasket did you use? This is another detail left incomplete on our boat. It looks like its going to be 1 year to get boat on water and another 5 to finish.

From an earlier thread. This forward position is what I plan to do...eventually.

I plan to put my oarlocks where I can row forward of the mizzen mast straddling the CB case on some sort of remove able seat. I saw a Graham post on this some time ago and he noted a good oarlock location for this. In the meantime, I am ok with a paddle. This boat does fine with a J stroke at least for a short distance.

We didn't put the third mast step in but I suppose it is a potential upgrade. I have often wondered if you could drop a big balanced lug in there as alternate rig option.

I saw a picture of this idea and for a very brief moment considered it. I decided to skip it in favor of getting on the water sooner. Of the 6 or 7 days I have sailed this boat so far, I have yet to even use the forward compartment. In fact is is still partially full of wood shavings and dust from completing the decks!

Thanks for the pics! Looks like some good sailing weather. Maybe I'll make it down next year.

Wow!

I'd love to show you our boat sometime. I was at the lake last weekend but it may be a while before I get back. PM me if you make it to Roanoke.

Yes, they are the same as the gussets. The two detail views show how they are situated. The large one attaches forward of the deck beam (aft of the bulkhead). If you have these gusset/knees from the kit, that is good because they will define the angle of the coaming which is a detail that I wrestled with for some time.

Understood. If I were to drive 5 hours, I'd hope to be somewhere coastal. Just putting it out there as an option in case the discussion brings it that far north. 450 Sailors Cove Dr, Moneta, VA 24121

If Smith Mountain Lake was considered, I could potentially host the gathering at our sail club there. Its situated at the largest part of the lake, has beaches and docking, and would offer cheap camping, some with electric. There are nice condo rentals within walking distance and hotels I think within 1/2 hour drive. April is probably ideal.

Very interested. I'm probably a bit North (Roanoke, VA) of what you have in mind but am game for a road trip.

Hey, that hits close to home! My home waters are Smith Mountain Lake and while I agree that there is a lot of traffic, most of it is between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend which is not the best sailing season anyways because of light and flukey winds. I have had many wonderful and peaceful fall and spring sails here. And the much larger Kerr Lake is another fave of mine for laid back, solitudinous, camp cruising.

If by this you mean build in a bend down when the oars are in place rowing and the blades are perpendicular to the water I think you will find they twist in your hands as you try to make a stroke. Unless...the handle kinks at the loom so that its axis still intersects the center of the blade. Of course the balance may be weird. Far Fetched, I know, which by the way is not a bad boat name.

I am thinking I will store my future oars under the side decks as you mentioned but I figure they won't tuck neatly under there without some curvature built in. I also wonder if the curvature could be used when rowing to wrap around the high decks and maybe require less length than straight oars. Anyways, you're boat is looking great Lennie. You'll be sailing before long.