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AmosSwogger

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Posts posted by AmosSwogger

  1. I don't change a single thing when I trailer; doesn't matter how far I go (I have a CS 20.3).

     

    I've trailered from Virginia to Florida with no issues.  I leave the rudder on, leave all the lines on, leave the anchor on its sprit.  I worried a bit about the lines slapping the first time I drove to FL this way, but they didn't as they mostly align with the wind, and I put some tension on them when I cleat them off.

     

    I can get the boat rigged and in the water in 20-30 minutes (depending if my wife helps or not).  I use one very wide strap across the back of the boat.  The one thing I need to improve is reefing lines; this summer I'm going to figure out a way to leave them semi-attached.

  2. The Messabout is great for R&Ding.

     

    I plan on installing an electrical system and then duplicating Skeena's ballast tank/bilge pump system.  The Anderson bailers I have actually work pretty well, they are simple and efficient, but since I'm putting an electrical system in anyway I may as well duplicate Steve's setup which is significantly faster than the bailers.

    • Like 1
  3. I'm not sure what you mean by bunk boards (unless you are referring to a board that spans the footwell in between the two bunks?); you don't need any boards as the bunks form part of the structure of the boat.  The bunks are 7' 4" long if I remember correctly.  Your feet barely go under the cockpit seat at all; maybe only about a foot of your feet (sorry) go under the bunk. 

     

    I got some good video last week of some 20.3s . . .

     

    https://youtu.be/Pl7z68LMVX8?si=5CKZacC6tTjue4aw

     

    https://youtu.be/NU0Ec94zD5s?si=zMYVbBe5u9OgR0-1

     

     

     

  4. As a CS 20.3 owner I'll try to answer some of your questions:

     

    1.  Regarding the keel (actually I think a better term would be a skeg since it isn't a proper keel):  Alan approaches his boat builds from a racing/hydrodynamics mindset, so he left the skeg off for a slightly faster hull.  Most CS 20.3 builders attached a small one, myself included (I added a stainless steel hollowback to it as well).  My thinking was that it could take some abrasion from beach landings and also register in the grooves of the trailer rollers.

     

    2.  Ice chest:  it is drained through a small tube into the self-draining cockpit.  I would highly recommend building in the ice chest.  I did not and regret it; my portable cooler keeps getting in the way.  I actually asked Graham about it yesterday; he said on his last trip the ice lasted 5 days.  Lastly the ice chest does not in any way interfere with sleeping.

     

    4.  Buying CNC machined foils from B&B versus shaping your own:  given the importance of good foils I would buy the CNC machined ones; it will save you significant time and you are guaranteed good ones.  I made the centerboard myself using templates that B&B kindly provided me, and bought the rudder, but as a handplane collector I wanted the opportunity to put them to use.  If you are not an experienced woodworker I would just buy them.

     

    5.  Bunks: they are comfortable and very long.  I just spent 6 days sleeping on the boat and slept well.  There is plenty of footroom, and I like the space behind the bunks; when you wake up in the morning you can just stuff your blankets behind the bunk for the day and they stay clean, dry, and out of the way.  For reference I am about 6' tall and weigh 165lbs.

     

    7.  Centerboard location: your kit or plans will have the updated location.  It was only us very early builders (we started building before B&B even really finished the complete plans) that were affected.  I just finished a 5 day sail with another 20.3 with the updated location; he was able to point a little higher than me.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    • Like 1
  5. Might as well make this the official Messabout thread.

     

    Steve and I are sailing to the Messabout together; we are departing Sunday from near the VA/NC border on the Dismal Swamp Canal, following Grahams route from his last trip to B&B (thanks for posting his route Alan).

     

    Who's coming?  Looking forward to seeing everyone. 

  6. I'll keep an eye on your location and try to join you at some point.  Personally I would skip sailing the whole Norfolk area unless lots of commercial barge traffic, multiple shipyards, and biggest Navy base in the world is something you want see.

     

    This is the boat ramp I normally sail from; very little boat traffic, plenty of room to rig/unrig; locals are friendly, everything is well maintained and in good condition.  I've left my truck/trailer there overnight multiple times with no issues.  Doesn't matter whether you sail north or south, there are plenty of good anchorages.

     

    https://goo.gl/maps/WLnboELCzFCRQoQQ9

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