Docpal

MattP, Thanks for the feedback. "larger wheels => greater circumference => lower rpm => longer bearing life and less heat." Those are the major factors I have been trying to work with. I'll be pounding the pavement in a few weeks to see what the local inventories have available.

This is one way to do it. I just used fiberglass tape and criss crossed it both ways over the "step". Then I wet sanded the joint with 40 grit paper (really cuts smooth and fast that way...). Followed that up with some micro balloon filler for the final finish, and then primed and painted it all. I think the last picture is where the joint was, but I can no longer tell....

Question to all-I'm in the same situation of getting ready to buy Petunia's trailer. Are most owners using 12'"wheels on their CS 17 trailers? TIA

Chick, I've got one in progress- http://messing-about.com/forums/topic/5763-building-petunia-cs-17-204/ With my version I can sit on the cabin sole and have headroom, but not on the berths. I've got a forward hatch planned as well to make reefing something that can be done while standing IN the cabin. I'll have a few different positions for the floor board, so they can double up as berths, and a table as well. Trying to sort out the sheeting possibilities, and I'll be trailering her down to Maribel before the Messabout to finish up the rigging .

Mike, The original thought was that I'd need the cloth to stiffen it all up, particularly in areas I'll most likely be stepping when stepping the main mast. But she's already surprisingly strong. It might not be needed at all.

"Lost" most of the Spring due to back issues, but have just dumped the crutches and am back to trying to finish her up this Summer. Finally got the cabin built, and glassed. Used one sheet of 1/8" marine ply for the base layer, and then rolled a layer of 5.7 oz carbon fiber cloth on top of that. Immediately gave the base sheet rigidity. Spread thickened epoxy over the carbon fiber and then laid a second sheet of 1/8"ply on top. Used a gazillion staples (3/8"galvanized) with bamboo skewers to keep them from burying completely onto the plywood. Pulled the staples, faired each layer. The cabin will already hold my weight. All of this will get covered with a top coating of 10 oz cloth. All other deck components have been cut, and glassed. It's just a matter of being able to build up the endurance to keep up the pace.

It really comes down to how well your boat is set up on the trailer. Years ago I shipped a 43 foot, 50 year old, wooden (carvel planked) 30 Square meter from San Francisco, CA to Key West, FL, and it arrived in beautiful condition. Because of her size I used a company that had trailers which could be set up for almost any configuration, and there weren't even scuff marks on her paint when she arrived. I'd have no hesitation to ship a plywood boat if it were properly prepped, and loaded onto the trailer .

Dave, Just before the Winter set in I used it to get a few coats on Petunia (CS#204). I've worked with many topcoat systems before but none were as easy, or pleasant to deal with as the System 3 stuff. I HAD to go water based as my build has largely been done in the "stealth mode" due to local community restrictions on keeping a boat on the premises. Therefore most of my work has been done without the use of power tools, and using conventional marine paints would have brought out the blood hounds in most of my neighbors. The primer and paint both rolled on SO well ( white 4" "finish rollers" from Lowe's....) that most people who have seen the hull think the finish was sprayed. I used their application schedule of adding the catalyst to the final coats, and while she's still a few months from being wet, she can handle a lot of banging around in the garage without dinging, or scuffing . Time will tell how well the paint holds up in the sunshine, but since we haven't had much of that I'll have to wait until this Summer for real feedback.

Like a heavy duty tambour on a roll top desk ?

If your local Home depot does tool rentals check out their assortment of sand paper for floor sanders. I have found various grits (down to 36) at my local HD...

OK, THAT wasn't what I was trying to link to. BUT if you go to www. Flickr.com , and look up "Docpal" / 2013 B & B Messabout" you should be able to see ALL of the above a lot slower...If anyone pictured would like a copy of a particular picture, please drop me a note with your e-mail address and I'll pass them along. I am at- docpalumbo "at" gmail 'dot' com

First off, MANY thanks to Graham, Carla, Beth,Alan, David, etc., etc. for their incredibly gracious hosting of the Messabout! it was an absolutely wonderful, and informative, couple of days, and I had a great time. I took a bunch of pictures which I just posted onto a Flickr page, but I'm having "issues"getting the link to work. If it does NOT post here I'll go back and post the pix in small groups.

I will be there, but regrettably "Petunia" CS 17 #204 is still not ready for traveling. Still have some rigging to do, etc. So like a few others posting here, I'll be hoping to hitch some rides during the weekend. I'm thinking of bringing down my staysail in the event anyone with a CS 17 would like to try one out (AND if the weather cooperates...). I also had a thought I'd like to throw out: maybe we could find some time to get together (late Sat afternoon/evening?) and hold some sort of a "live" builders forum where those of us still various stages of building/completion could get together and pick the brains of anyone willing to join in ? I know I have a few rigging questions, and I'm sure that others have specific stages they'd like more information about. Does this sound like something anyone might be interested in?

MM, Yup, I had the SAME thought so I added a deck plate, AND a brass drain in the event I somehow DID get any condensation, etc. in there.

My "inspiration"is actually the British Dinghy Cruising Association which promotes more cruising in small boats than racing- http://www.dinghycruising.org.uk/ They have a list of recommended safety regulations which isn't very different in some ways from the preparation list for Water Tribe events- http://www.dinghycruising.org.uk/pages/safety Having been a marine salvor for a number of years I prefer positive flotation over air when room allows...

Chris, Thanks! But as you can imagine, it's opened up many new cans of worms...

Wes, I was in touch with Graham about a similar plan last week, and he suggested I incorporate a "vented loop" into the discharge side to prevent back siphoning, but it looks like your method might eliminate the need for the loop since you are on the center line and about as high inside the boat as one could get without needing to drill a hole into the hull.

Been a loooooong time. Lots of 'medical issues' and speed bumps, but I'm back to working on Petunia. Finally got my head wrapped around "3D space"and sorted out the framing for her cabin. Did a test fit on top of the cabin frames with an old piece of Masonite, and it looks like it's going to work... She's got Kevlar chines, and edges on her board and rudder, pool noodles in her masts, 7 cubic feet of foam flotation stashed into compartments, HDPE mast bearings, etc., etc. She's over built,(probably) over weight, and certainly over due, but I'm still shooting for this year's Messabout.....

Here is a picture of the CNC finger joint which Graham came up with last year. He may have even modified it further since then. As you can see it incorporates the true fit on the edges, with an "anti slip" finger so the joint can't move sideways when pressure is applied in the gluing process...

I've gone to places like the Depot (which will sometimes rent tools), and they sell LARGE sheets of heavy grit ( 24, 36, 40) for floor sanders...I buy a few sheets, and cut it to size. It works well when used for wet sanding as well...

THIS worked well for me. Here is the "final stage rig" using a finer grit paper after roughing it out with a heavier grit. Just an empty cartridge with a bolt run through it so i could chuck this into my drill.

For some perspective- http://www.microcrui...ssmallboats.htm Also get a copy of "A Speck on the Sea" by Wm. Longyard and see what some people have done in small boats. The skipper is usually the weakest link in the chain.....

Grizzly actually has metal ones which are somewhat smaller

Pix didn't make the last reply

Wes, Do you mean something like these Cam cleats?