AmosSwogger

Thanks for the updates. Nice fish Nate. Looks like strong wind.

It's a long drive for me coming from VA, I can't commit yet, but am interested.

Even for experienced woodworkers I would still recommend a kit. When you get stuck on a problem or are unsure what step to do next, the kit eliminates one variable making the whole process smoother. There will still be plenty of opportunity to cut and layout your own parts as the kit doesn't include everything. Something I didn't know which made me glad I bought a kit is that the CNC marks the parts with layout lines so you know where parts intersect. Having to measure and lay those lines out yourself would be a lot of work. The "pen" in the CNC does that for you saving a you a ton of fussy measuring work.

Another mistake I've made is not reefing in strong winds and waves. When I'm not reefed like I should be I pinch too much which slows the boat down, and then the waves slow the boat more. Reefing properly prevents those problems and you pick up speed and punch through the waves better.

I'll bet you were sheeted in too tight. I used to make that mistake. The way to know is to watch your tell tales. If they are streaming straight back you are getting good air flow over your sails. I had a bad habit of sheeting my mizzen in too much and I wasn't looking at the tell tails. Sheeting it out just a little bit while watching the tell tails made an improvement. Flattening your sails with the snotter helps as well. Graham and Allen have made some great posts on upwind sailing; do a search for upwind and read them. They helped me. When I sail upwind with similar length boats they can point higher but I can sail faster which compensates.

I think the best thing to do for your battery health is to trailer the boat down to the Carolina sounds and go on a sail with me. A nice sunny 50 degree winter sail will top them off nicely!

Looks like a great trip.

Nice work Bryan.

Jay, once again you are first at a new boat design. Very cool.

I copied Steve (thanks Steve!) and put a compass where he did. It's a good location. I like that it's on the centerline of the boat, and it's easy to get power to it for the light.

Nice work Don and team.

Steve, I hereby award you best modifier of the 20.3 line.

Enjoyed the video. Looks like a fun event.

CrazyRussian is doing well in his proa (I think B&B helped him a bit with the design of his homemade proa).

Do you plan on rigging up the bowsprit and associated sail?