Brent

I went with the harbor freight 4 * 8 trailer with 12" wheels. The trailer turned out to be better quality than I expected. The boat rides very nicely upon a pair of bunks. I put a simple keel guide up front to keep the boat centered on the bunks. All up less than $300.

"..What does everyone think?" I think the spindrift is 10 times the sailboat a weekender will ever be. For a boat to learn to sail on you want something that is simple and performs reasonably well. In my opinion the weekender is neither. I think the weekender is a pretty boat and a nice woodworking project, but the weekender has none of the stuff I look for in a sailboat that performs, and a bunch of stuff that is unnecessary complications - in my opinion. I may upset a few weekender owners with this, but it is "what I think". I would hope that if I posted your question on a forum I would get honest answers, so here is mine. I have built a spindrift, and a CS20. The spindrift if a fine boat and easy to build. It is good for messing about on small waters, and a fine place to learn to sail. Don't be surprised to find yourself eventually wanting something larger, faster - like the only slightly more complicated to build Core Sound series.

The discussion around car topping spindrifts has been innovative and interesting, but I am thinking seriously about putting a trailer under mine. Any suggestions for a trailer source? I am considering a harbor freight 4 * 8 trailer - install my own bunks etc. Anybody have any experiece with these cheap trailers?

Dale, I made sure there was a roller for my centerboard to rest on. I agree that depending on the board rigging to keep the board offfrom dragging along the road is just asking for trouble.

Joe, I built a CS20 for the same reasons - spirited performance and simple accomodations. If you are coming from a kayak you will appreciate how having storage space for a number of "luxury" items on board. I take the type of trips you describe - multi day explorations - with a simple tent over the forward cockpit area for "accomodations". You have already made some key insights into these boats and the designer. I have not sailed or even seen in person the EC22. To my knowledge there is only one in existence. But it is a cool concept! Keep in mind the EC22 was built for speed and intended to be crewed by a team of experienced sailors. Out on multiday excursions be prepared to handle the full range of weather. A couple of skilled sailor with a weather eye will have a blast with this boat. If you imagine finding yourself out there alone - you will have your hands full.

Recently I made a quick decision to do an overnight at Kentucky Lake. Leaving after work got me to the ramp after dark. I launched, rowed a few dozen yards into a quiet corner of the cove and dropped anchor for the night. Dawn revealed I was anchored near a small fleet of Sea Pearls! I went over and introduced myself, and we sailed together for a while that day.

I don't have a Diva, but have built three cedar strip single kayaks with a very similar design. These boats have carefully crafted bows and sterns that provide straight tracking. I expect nothing less than a similar excellent design from B&B. When paddling the boats move straight and true, and with the keel less bottom, turn easily. However, (there is always a however) when not paddling these light weight agile boats have a tendency to yaw. This is where a rudder might be nice. Suppose you want to fish a bank in with a bit of crosswind. The rudder (or a retractable skeg) will help to keep the boat aligned while you focus on the fish. A retractable skeg is also nice when making long open water crossings - requiring less energy on steering allowing more focus on making speed. But I seldom make big water crossings in my little kayak - I have a Core Sound for that!

My boat has slight difference in sheeting from tack to tack that I attribute the sprit influence. The difference is subtle; when on the tack which puts the main sprit to lee of the main I might sheet in at most an additional two inches of main sheet - equivalent to moving the sprit maybe a half inch. I can tell there is a difference by movement of air across the sail, but I see no measureable detraction to boat speed. My boat is FAST under all points of sail. I could provide substantiating data to support this statement but will hold fast. :wink:

April Sailing

Sunday dawned warm and clear. The early morning whisper of wind for told fresh winds for the afternoon. Arriving at Taylorsville Lake a visual check of the lake surface suggested steady but moderate wind. By the time the boat was launched the wind was rattling around the canyons and white caps where running straight at the launch site. After some debate about how strong is it really I choose to reef the boat and set off. Reefing was clearly the right choice as the wind was gusting enough to put the boat on its rail even when reefed. About 6 miles of tacking into the wind put boat and skipper in the lee of some closely spaced hills, moderating the wind enough to warrant shaking out the reefs. This is when the picture was taken. A good hour of gentle sailing between the hills was had, cruising along slow but steadily watching the eagles nest and the spring flower a buzz with energy. Turning towards home, the wind at my back, and out of the shelter of the hemmed in canyon the full press of the breeze was on us. The boat was up on plane with spray flying away from the bow, well into the double digits. The upwind course that took maybe two hours was unraveled in about 20 minutes of heart pounding rush. I had to turn back into the wind and do it again. In due course the time to pull out came and final approach to the ramp and dock was made. Again the wind was directly onto the dock and strong enough to froth the lake surface. The boat tacked back and forth several times running at speed while waiting for the ramp to clear and then with a rush onto the downwind run into the dock. With the lee shore approaching fast the boat headed up nicely at the last minute dropping speed to sweetly come along side the dock with the full rush of the wind rattling the sails as the mooring lines were made fast. A great way to start April.

After the long wait for the winter thaw here is the opportunity to share your spring sailing stories. Please have at this thread and fill it with your adventures. I will start off...

Many of us on the forum have extensive backgrounds with tightly wired racing sloops, and have been won over by the cat ketch sprit boom rig. Before you get to serious about booms I would recommend sailing with an experience sprit boom sailor, and see what you think then.

Congratulations Peter. Well done. You have a great experience in front of you. As we say, all that is left to do is finishing up!

The CS 15 is a fine boat you will be proud to own. Given the tax situation I would go with that. Actually, I would buy the plans for the CS15 and stretch it to become the first CS 15'-11 31/32" just to thumb my nose at the silly tax law.

Kidd, Kentucky Lake is a completely separate destination to Lake Cumberland. Kentucky Lake is a great place to sail - there is the developed side with marinas and resturaunts, and the wild side with Land Between the Lakes. Stop by any time. Know that in winter the lake level is dropped some to make room for spring runnoff, but even then you will have not problem getting a CS in at the ramp and navigating around. Scott, I am all with you on Lake Cumberland - great destination, great fishing. I am hoping for the best with regards to the lake level and getting on with another fine boating season.

Scott, Be aware that the Cumberland Dam is leaking and the lake level has been dropped drastically. Many of the ramps we know are unusable - the Corps is intending to get that fixed, but check on this before departing. I have been thinking something similar - Dale Hollow first or second weekend in May.

Yep, my CS20 sails have full battens and a big powerful roach. Just what I like, lots of power and plenty of speed. Such powerful sails are not for everyone - put that much power onboard and you had better know what you are doing. Full battens do require sail tracks - which I wanted big roach or not, to allow quick and reliable reefing. I sail my boat solo in a wide range of conditions and being able to power appropriately for the conditions is a top priority from both the safety and fun perspectives. And Gary, I do not find any weather helm or imbalance problems. I do trim the boat appropriately - actually steer with the sails much of the time - but that is more personality quirk than function of sail design. And the center of balance is adjusted with the centerboard position - just like any other centerboard boat being pushed for performance. My choice hands down for a Princess 26 would be full batten big roach sails with double reef points.

Very Very Nice. Thanks for posting!

I too used the bungee method. I had to figure out a way to tighten it up some to keep the hatch down while trailering. Congrats on the motor! Did you have the 2 hp before? I have been considering the Nissan 3.5 HP versus the 4 HP. The 4 Hp is about 15 lbs heavier - but a much more built motor - probably close to the Yamaha. Tell help me with the decision - what was your thinking that led you to the Yamaha 4 HP?

If you are going raiding dont forget your 500 sgft screecher flying from a retractable carbon fibre bow sprit! ARgh!

Joe, a raid sounds like great fun. I was thinking just today about organizing a Kentucky Lake Raid - but that is another potential future thread. I have two rowing stations on my CS20 - one fore and one aft of the mizzen. The aft one is set up so that I can row standing and facing forward with the tiller between my knees. My oars are 9'6" It doesnt take much wind for the CS to sail faster than I can row - doing all the low wind pirate tricks ( sail trim, heel, gazelle like movements). If I was going to be covering large miles under human power I would pull out my giant yuloh. The yuloh delivers an acceptable turn of speed and is much more sustainable over a long period of time - more efficient use of body mechanics.

Joe, I am sure the bowsprit spinaker or screecher will work great on the CS. Putting all that sail area out front will change how the boat balances, but I doubt that will be a big deal on a deep reach. This could quickly get into some radical sail area - wild wet ride. Modifying an existing CS - why not. As far as the sprits'l goes, I have found that as my experience with the sail increases I fly it more often. When I first started it seemed like a lot to handle singlehandling, but it flys often now when the wind is right. I find it lots less of a hassle than single handling the spinaker on my previous boat.

Seems horrible to put a saw to a perfectly good boat! I see it came out alright.

I be guessing theres more to this boat that a cuddy cabin to make her fast! I'll be watching to see what go fast notions yee have in mind. Yee got yer werk cut out fer ya, tween now and the start of the race. ARgh.

Scott, Thanks for capturing the true intent of this thread. Your post brought up some clear images for me, as Patoka is a favorite place to catch a cool season sail. I was there in November a couple of times, and will no doubt sail there in the early spring. The lake seems to always have more wind than the forecast, and there is plenty of room to get a good run in. Drop me a note if you want some company there on one of those fine days we occasionally get in the pre-spring season. ---Brent