MattandTru

where are the assembly instructions? on the C.D? We looked for them and did not see them.

We used fir for our inwales and scarfed a joint in the middle and it worked. What would you say comes next. Keel batten?

hello all, Wondering if anyone has done the inwales by laminating 2 pieces at 3/8" instead of wrestling the 3/4 inch pieces. I even considered the possibility of kerfing just the bow end, the last 5 feet or so, skinny pull saw, with a fine kerf cut so it would make the bend easily, and wetting the inside of the kerf and clamping it all back together in place in one go. Crazy idea? I think the risk would be at the transition point between the kerfed and not kerfed part being too abrupt. We have nice antique straight grain fir, 12 foot pieces, that we have made up, we'll need to scarf at 6 feet from the transom. We don't actually know our hull number, btw. Where is it? Call Graham? -Matt

When do we remove the wires on the keel? Over all, what is the sequence from keel with just wires to keel batten?

Hi everyone We have had our kit for 4 weeks and have the hull wired. We are about to glue in the longitudinal bulkheads, and make the inwales. We have watched Alan's video about the inwales about 5 times but could still use some advice.

That is a pic of the forward compartment by the main mast step? Pipes receive the oar handles under the deck? Very nifty. Matt and Tru.

Thanks again all! Great advice.

Re, finding good wood: I just replaced the side door on my shop with a salvaged metal half glass door and the old jamb and the old door are both old straight fir. Possibly enough there to do the CB. Nothing like old wood for straight clear and stable. (not to mention free and right there in my hands!) If we were to come see your project, are you on a regular work schedule and around on weekends? Tru has this Friday off of school, so we could maybe come then, or on the weekend. That's great info for the cradle. Does the kit come with patterns for the chevron shaped support sheets? -M&T

I went and measured the trailer and found it all to be pretty close to the above conclusions. I could afford to cut the tongue about 16 inches shorter, but I think I'll wait on that till I have a boat built to put on it! Talk about putting the cart before the horse--or the trailer before the boat as the case may be. How do I gauge the spring stiffness and whether it is close to right? Jump up and down on it? (jk) The GVWR weight rating on the ID plate is 2300, which sounds overkill, ie made to handle a heavy powerboat. So if the springs are too stiff, I ought to be able to get lighter springs that fit the same profile? Or am I close enough that it would ride well? -Matt

Great news, and may the path be clear from here on through. Thanks for the chat the other day. Best wishes. -Mat and Tru in WI

Hi Paul, Tru and I are awaiting our kit and would like to get the cradle put together and the centerboard started. Do you have dimensions for the centerboard blank that you made? And cradle frame? Hope your weekend work goes well. I hope we can come over (from Viroqua WI) and check it out this fall, if that would be cool with you! We should have the kit in 3 weeks or so. -Matt and Tru.

Thanks David, That is a good map for me. So with a CS17, I could have the axle at about 11 ft from the bow and about 3 feet of support aft of the axle, with about 3 feet of aft end sticking out behind. Plus about 2 feet of tongue forward of the bow to the ball. Does that sound about right? -Matt

So we somewhat impulsively bought this trailer. 200$ It is a "Calkins" with adjustable axle position, bunk roller positions and it is pretty heavy duty I think. Probably heavier than it needs to be. My question is, is there an optimum position for the axle relative to the boat position on the trailer? And will these roller rigs work well or should I alter them somehow? Plus the tongue is quite long and could be cut shorter to make the package more maneuverable. Good idea? Now all we need to do is build the boat!! More on that later.

What I want to know is what the heck is that behemoth that is looming over the beautiful 17 in that picture?? My son and I opted for the open rear space on our soon to arrive kit. -Matt and Tru

Hi all, My 13 yr old son and I are awaiting the arrival of a cs17 kit and these videos have been invaluable in terms of envisioning the entire process, inspiring us to a bigger project than we might otherwise have taken on and helping us understanding what we're in for. We will refer back to them many times, even though we're building the 17 instead of the 15. Is the boat in the video destined to be your own boat Alan, or is it sold already? -Matt and Tru.

Thanks to you all. I'm convinced! Lighter, just as cheap or cheaper, less work, last longer. OK, I get it! -Matt

Hi Paul, So great to see your hull take shape. I think we would have jumped in the car and come over to watch/assist had we known you were doing that! Not to worry, plenty of that ahead. But it is inspiring to see your pictures. Truman and I have watched almost the entire series of those videos and they are excellent. I'm not sure we would have committed to this without seeing them and how, one step at a time, the thing will go together. We will make a plan to come see your progressing boat this fall if that is ok? Best of luck on it. -Matt and Tru.

My son and I are planning a CS 17 build and would love to hear the pros and cons of wood vs aluminum masts from all you veterans. I've looked at the mast building technique that B&B offers/suggests and it makes sense and seems affordable, but are there options to consider? Also has anyone adapted spars from any other boats to serve the 17? -Matt and Truman

Hi Paul, My son and I are about to embark on a CS 17 here in Wisconsin. It will be fun to watch your progress as we embark. We are going to do the kit as well, but are still sorting it all out. Hope to get it here in time to get some assembly done before cold sets in. We might be able to move to a heated shop, but the home shop is much more convenient. We are south of LaCrosse. We'd love to see your boat one day! My son is 13 and this is his expanded 8th grade project--and my mid-life crisis--all rolled into one! -Matt