Gordy Hill

Gee, I don't know what I have, but everything comes out fine. Great pictures Kevin. When I was building my CS17 I would sit, about where the seat would be, and hold my hand about where the tiller would be, and stare off into the rear of the house. ....when no one was watching. What are BICYCLES doing in the boat shed?!!

'Twas a lovely game.

A number of years ago I was at the launch in Lantana Florida and watched a man launching a new center counsel with two huge outboards. He was looking over his sholder as he carefully backed the boat. You know that automatic clip-thingy on the front of power boats that clip to the trailer? Didn't unclip it. Pulled the trailer and brand new Ford F250 4X4 into about eight feet of water before anyone could get his attention. Salt water. Truck totaled. .....there but for the grace of God....

Here we are, stuck between two extremes; the "Head in the Sand" crowd and the "Chicken Little" gang. I tend to think the truth lies somewhere between the two.

This is the first freeze we've had in over ten years. We used to get a couple a year. There seems to be global warming only where temperatures have been recorded for the last one or two hundred years or so. Who knows about the rest of the planet? There COULD be places where it's not evident.

Paul, In order to have a self-draining cockpit (and to see over the cabin) the cockpit sole is raised. The seats are that little line just below the deck line. I guess you could say there is no rail. I agree with you, I like to sit on the rail, but this boat will be ballasted and it's noticably beamier than the CS17. The ballast is in the centerboard, and the bilge keel will be solid lead to counter balance the ofset weight of the centerboard and to keep the weight as low as possible. I haven't discussed it with Graham yet, but I may use solid 1x1 steel for the keel. Should give me more weight as low as possible and be pretty indistructable. "Steel Keel" "Steel Keel O'Neil" ....maybe not. Nelson, I assume you've checked out the "Princess". I saw Chick's when I was in N.C. a couple years ago. I was really impressed, and if I had room I'd build one. This 18 will use up all my available space for building and storage. The 26 footer is on the boards. Just to give Graham something to do, I'd imagine the Princess could be configured with the Belhaven keel system. I'm just rambling, I get the impression shoal draft isn't as much as a requirement for you. Gordy

Actually Ray, I was thinking of a short bowsprit for a Bruce anchor.

These are the drawings of Graham's new design. This is the boat I want to build as soon as I sell my Core Sound 17. I'd really like to know what you guys think. http://www.bandbyachtdesigns.com/bel.htm Gordy

Seems to me something in highschool indicated 32 degrees as significant...

Hay guys, check out Graham's new post on the B&B forum!

I don't really say things like "good on ya" but I have frends from NZ, they're great guys and they say stuff like that. Anyhow, congrats! Gordy

Ok people, it's not too early to start thinking about the get together in Cedar Key on the first weekend in May. Boats come from many states away. (Maybe not California and Washington) There is absolutely NO orginization...just show up. It would be nice to see a live Weekender. http://members.ij.net/wctss/wctss/index.htm This is the address for the West Coast Trailer Sailor Squadron. They have many pictures from last year. There were boats from Michigan and New Jersey last year. There's usually a pretty good crowd there on Friday. Last year we went up (it's NORTH of us) on Friday but didn't sail much because I had to drive the seven hour round trip home to get my rudder. Even though it's just your normal warm water, nice breezes, sandy beaches, dolphins, pellicans, and fresh fresh sea food, it's worth the trip. Gordy [attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin]

Ok, NOW there's an "Add Atachment" box. I'll try to send a few pictures I took in the Michigan U.P. a couple weeks ago. [attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin]

Frank, I'm lost! I clicked on "Post a reply", the blank came up, (obviously, since I'm writing in it), but I can't find "Add an Attachment" anywhere! It can't be this difficult. What am I doing wrong? Gordy

Well, oh, all right, I guess it's OK. Oh look! We can change colors! Let's see how the bold works... Maybe it'll do... I think I 'm getting the hang of it! Now, how do I get a photo from drive A to a post? Gordy

Greg, I live in Orlando. I was in Michigan just recently for a funeral, has a few extra days and went up to Drummond Island. My brother has a lot there with a travel trailer. It was very pretty. I'm glad I'm home. It got up to about 60 today, but it should be better tomorrow. I have some pictures, but I don't know how to get them from A drive to this forum.