Gordy Hill

Ray, As usual, you bring up some good points. As I understand it, Here in Florida we can get by with the flashlight. I'm with you, however, in thinking that too much light is just fine. Right of way doesn't mean much when the other guy is huge. Perhaps you can clear this up for me. When sailing I'd like to use the masthead light. I'd also like a masthead strobe I could turn on when I feel someone isn't noticing my running lights. The last I read, the strobe doesn't "mean" anything, but it does increase one's visibility. I can't imagine sailing in a busy harbour, or anyplace with a lot of traffic, at night. Even with proper lights it's hard to judge speed and closing angles. Trust me on this! I'm confronted with it on a regular basis flying over Central Florida. Here in Florida we have so much shallow water that where we sail our little boats we pretty much have the place to ourselves. I guess I should have mentioned it's important to choose wisely where one sails at night.

Since we're getting a little off the subject on Knut's thread I thought I'd start a new one. It's worth all the trouble to prepare your boat for sailing after dark. Correct me if I'm wrong, but for my CS 17, since it's an "open sailboat" under 21 feet, all that's really necessary for lighting is a flashlight to shine on the sails when appropriate. I'm looking into LED lights anyway. Also, be aware that when motoring, you're a motor boat, and must be lit accordingly. On my Silhouette I had a snowmobile battery for lights. It had a little handle on it, was small, and had no trouble handling my lights for a few days. I'm considering one for my CS 17, mostly because I want a fishfinder. They don't find fish, but they're cheaper than a depthsounder and have bigger numbers. Also, it could run a binnacle light, GPS, and, if necessary, running lights. There's nothing like sailing on a nice warm night, especially on biscayne Bay or the Keys. The phosphorescent plankton lights up when the water's disturbed. It's most dramatic when you sail behind a breakwater or small island on smooth water. A quick pump of the tiller sends a burst of lights off with your wake. I've been anchored in the Keys when a tug on the anchor line causes it to light up all the way to the bottom. One night, when anchored behind Cape Canaveral, fishing was a waste of time because the fishing line would light up all the way out to the lure. Then there's peeing off the back of the boat...

Knut, I strongly agree with Ray. Install a compass, a lighted compass. When you really, really need it, you might not have a hand free to check the GPS, especially at night. It's much easier to maintain a course with a compass mounted in front of you than continually checking the GPS. On my Silhouette I had the compass mounted on the vertical bulkhead of the bridge deck. Another place you might consider would be on the cabin bulkhead next to the companionway. All that said, a GPS is wonderful!

Ok guys, the small boat gathering at Cedar Key is coming up. It's always the first weekend in May and there's absolutely no organization. Boats come from all over the Southeast and it's a truly beautiful place to sail. That said, this year I'm going to miss it. We have one guy out of work on a medical and I just can't adjust the schedule so I can attend. If you can possibly make it you'll have a great time, see a lot of really nice boats and meet some very nice people! The Island Place is a little pricy for me, but right in the middle of things. The Park Place is right across the street from the city beach. I've been staying there and anchoring my boat off the beach. It's ok as long as there's no forecast for a South wind. Both are a short walk from all the seafood restaurants and nightspots. The Faraway Inn is nearly four blocks from the center of town and the docks....cheeper, but nice. There's a campground coming into town a couple miles from the docks. Most boats spend the night pulled up on the shore in front of the Island Place. It gets crowded and there are some oyster beds you might land on at low tide, but it's well protected. They don't seem to check if you're staying there. I kept my boat there one year. I've never heard of anyone reporting anything missing. I leave a lot in the boat, but have a large orange dry box, keep the good stuff in it when I sail anyway, and take it with me to the motel at night. Never seen a Weekender there...........

Pat's boat is fast. Fast fast fast. In a light breeze he just sailed right past my CS 17. I'm usually a bit faster than the other boats we sail with. My masts have heavier than called for lower sections because that was what was available. The top halves are tapered fiberglass antennas that are very light and bend just right. I got the fiberglass sections at a surplus store and can't find any more. If I were to build another boat I think I'd go with the stiff lower section of aluminum and consider bird's-mouth for the top 8 - 10 feet. I used to break down my masts and fold up my sails. The sails got dirty and I think it's easier on the sails to stow them rolled on the mast.

That's really interesting Paul! That top tell-tail looks a bit listless. Since it's such light wind, I'd guess that with just a bit more wind you'd have the twist just right. I really like full battens. On your top batten I like the way you've angled it to hold up the head of the sail. Does it present a problem furling the sail?

I envy both of you!

Roger, You'll love the CS 17! It goes together just like the plans say. Gordy

Richard, Although I can spend the night on my CS17 the tent must be put up and taken down. Also, all the bedding and gear must be stowed. This doesn't really make much difference if one is staying out just one night. With a cabin many things can be left set up. The cabin is available to get out of the rain....or sun. The Belhaven is two feet longer and wider. I've discovered over the years that ANY boat one has for any length of time is two feet too short. I had some input in some of the design ideas on the Belhaven. If I sell my CS17 I'll miss it terribly. However, One sailboat at a time is about all I can handle. Gordy

Chris, One time my CS 17 got up to 8.2 knots. It was planning, and breathtaking! Six knots is rare. Four to five knots is really good. On an average day three or four knots is a lovely sail. If you're trying to calculate how long it'll take you to sail to Isle Royal, hope for three knots and give yourself some extra time. The wind WILL change, no matter what the forecast says. The change won't be advantageous. If you plan ahead and leave really, really early in the morning, it will be calm. These are laws of nature and can't be changed.

Opps! I mean Bill! Really, I meant Bill all along. I don't even know Chris. ...............................................boat looks nice........

Looking great Chris!

I'm very annoyed at the actors who use their position to oppose the war the same way I'm annoyed with Charlton Heston representing the NRA. I'm not really apposed to this war,although I'm dissapionted at this adminstration's total lack of diplomacy. The fact is we ARE in this war and the only acceptable way out is through it. The sooner we win it and get out, the better for everyone. Opposing the war now can only prolong it. Whatever your views, supporting the troops can only help.

Chris, I plan to build a Belhaven and, among other things, expect to sail to the Bahamas. I think Isle Royal would be a wonderful trip. Of course it might be a good idea to be certain of a good weather window before crossing any large area of water. I picture you snuggled up in some cove too shallow for any other sailboat. Mosquito netting walls zippered to the Bimini top making the cockpit a screen porch, the sun sinking into Lake Superior and an Isle Royal wolf howling in the distance. You're reclining against the cabin bulkhead with your legs streached out on the cockpit seat as you tinkle the ice cubes in your gin and tonic and finish the last of the salmon you caught while trolling on the way over. ............could be nice..........

When you want to get paint or varnish out of the can and into the container you want to paint from, try using a gravy ladle. It's much neater than pouring. Plastic ladles cost about $1 and can be found in different sizes. It may be a good idea to get your own and not take one from the kitchen.

Knut, You might try taking along a hand-held GPS. It'll give your exact speed and really comes in handy when sailing in new areas.

Tim, It is certainly possible to capsize a CS17. Graham did it on purpose during testing. I weigh over 240 pounds and walk around on my boat. I can walk around when it's at anchor or when sailing. When someone else is sailing it I like to stand next to the main mast. My friend likes to sit on the fordeck with her feet in the water. When sailing in light to moderate winds I think it would be very difficult to tip the boat over . In heavier winds one MUST be able to loose the main sheet. If you loosen the main the force on the mizzen will turn the boat into the wind. If you loosen the mizzen the force on main will tend to turn the boat downwind, filling the main more and can take the boat right over. I've been in VERY heavy conditions, by myself, sitting on the rail, and not have to loose the main. However, in those conditions I never cleat the mainsheet but always keep it in my hand.

Oh yah Joe, Congrats!!!!! Looks like you did a great job! Just found out I won't be able to attend the Cedar Key event this year. The Sea Pearlers won't know how to act if there isn't a CS17 sailing past them. If you can possibly make it, don't pass it up. You'll have a great time.

Joe, The Small Boat Get Together is always the first weekend in May in Cedar Key Fl. There is absolutely NO organization. Lots of boats and beautiful places to sail to! The Island Place is a bit expensive and their little beach has small rocks and oysters, but it seem to be the center of action. I've been staying at the Park Place and leaving my boat anchored in sight just off the public beach. The Faraway Inn is also nice.

Curtis, Bear in mind Graham has been teaching boatbuilding for 18 years. I doubt you could come up with a problem he hasn't already addressed. The plans are very complete and easy to understand. For me it worked best to sit down and read through the whole set of plans. Then, when I was ready to do something I'd read over that section a couple times and try to picture exactly what I wanted to accomplish and how I was going to do it. It kept surprises to a minimum. You seem to be a rather cautious person anyway, you shouldn't have any trouble. Buy a big pile of wood, go through the plans one step at a time, and before you know it the wood will be gone and there will be a boat there instead.

Mike, They make 12 volt blenders. They make 12 volt coffee pots. Coffee can be heated with a stove. I have a wonderful butane stove. It's square, one burner, and ignites at the push of a button. It's much hotter than propane. I've seen them at Sears for under $30.....or you can get one at West Marine for about $65 or $70. I think it makes great sense to have an inverter for charging hand-helds. It seems to me it will use up much more battery to go through an inverter to run something on 110 volts AC when it can be done directally at 12 volts DC. Whatever you finally choose, we want detailed reports!

Ray, You're a wealth of information! Just thought I'd point out that I was at a friend's and on his desk was a set of Perco LED nav lights. They're good for two miles and draw 10% as much power as the old kind! I have a GUEST anchor light that supposed to run 10 days on one set of batteries. Mike, I think two batteries might be overkill if you're not going to be using an electric trolling motor. Since we're talking about your money, and not mine, I'd think that the best option might be one battery and a solar charger. Assuming you start out with a fresh battery, you could go quite a while without the charger. ANY charger would extend your time. It would seem a charger about the size of the forward hatch cover would really extend your time. Ray could probably give a more knowledgeable opinion.

Jake, Sorry I didn't think to mention this sooner, but you need a boat cover. Really, really should have a quality custom made cover that you can trail with. Second choice would be a quality custom cover that's not suited for trailing but fits well and is well supported so it won't gather a small wading pool in the cockpit. Third choice doesn't exist. Even if you plan to keep your boat in the garage, you need a cover. A good cover. Sun is bad. Bad bad. Also bad, however, is dust and dirt, and the rusty ring left by a can of WD 40 left on the deck. And CAT TRACKS! I don't know about where you live, but here we're not even allowed to shoot them! Legally, that is. It would seem a cover is something you can put off.....it isn't. You need a cover.

You COULD make some nice WOODEN cleats.

Too many damn cleats! You'll have lines hanging up and there are too many places to stub your toe! 'Corse they do come in handy. I think I'd install the aft ones on the quarters and use the boat a bit before committing myself on the others. If your front hatch hinge is forward there's less chance of the hatch opening and gulping huge amounts of salt water at just the wrong time. With the hinge aft the hatch can be left open on a warm night (or afternoon nap) and collect a cooling breeze. It's POSSIBLE to have hinges on both sides, but you'd have to be more clever than I to cobble up a simple, cheap, workable system. My little 17 footer had a sliding forward hatch. A nylon wind scoop really made a difference in the cabin. Oh yah, great paint job!