Mark Baumgaertner

Yes Alan, I appreciate your very helpful insight on how to sail the cat ketch rig with a spinnaker

I also love the green color, I have been thinking about painting my CS 20MK3 with green sides and a yellow pin stripe and maybe beige topsides.

Which GPS plotter do you guys like for small boat sailing?

Interesting how you guys refer to it as VMG instead of what most Mariners at least on the west coast refer to it as SMG (speed made good) or CMG (course made good). As a licensed deck officer and 23 years as a Coast Guard rescue boat operator I had never heard of VMG. Anyways thank you for your explanation. After looking the term up on google search it is a sailing yacht term to describe upwind sailing as you guys previously stated, which might be why I wasn't familiar with the term, even though I'm no stranger to sailing either. Learn something every day!

Good info, trying to figure out what vmg means though?? LOL

Thanks for the good ideas guys! I'm not sure what the best method is as I can see how each of your ideas makes sense. I guess I'll have to think on it some more.

That sounds like a fantastic setup Jay. So what is the mfg. and model of the pump? I think that might be something I would do except not sure if the intake outtake should be the centerboard trunk?

Alan, how much of the race were you able to fly the spinnaker? and what additional speed were you able to make because of it?

Your interior is looking very nice Steve! where did you find the step bracket? that looks like the perfect addition.

First off, I would like to thank the designer/Alan and all the builders of the CS boats for sharing their advice on endless topics. I am making good progress on my CS 20 MK3 #21, I've almost caught up to Alan on his CS 20 MK3 and am feeling a bit uneasy since I've been following his build on google photos and soon I won't have any visual reference other than the construction manual. It shouldn't be a huge deal but Alan's pictures sure have been a nice reference. Not to say that all of your pictures have been very helpful too, because they have. My question today is what is the best way to add and remove water from the ballast tank? I like simple, but at the same time convenience of operation at a the time of need is an important consideration as well. I liked the idea of using two andersen bailers one forward and one aft, but the dewatering of the tank at a minimum speed of 4 kts is a problem and having to open and close the armstrong hatch I guess is a little cumbersome. Personally I would think that the most common time to remove water from the ballast tank would be during low winds and thus slow boat speed and one wanting to row an empty boat. So I was thinking of using a bailer for filling and a manual pump for removing water, however the thought of taking the time to pump while trying to maintain course etc. when sailing short handed does not appeal to me. So I'm thinking an electric bilge pump to remove the water and a bailer to fill the tank. I haven't been able to find a reversible 12V bilge pump either which certainly might be the most convenient method for adding and removing water as long as one had the 12V power available. I went to the local Marine store to look at the Andersen Mini Bailer and due to the design of this unit I think it will only bail not flood?? It has a little flapper door on the front of the scoop permitting water from only exiting the unit not entering it. I guess maybe one could force the removal of that door now that I think about it? As a side note I have also been contemplating what type of auxilary propulsion to use, I am planning on having the oars available as a last resort option. I've been searching the internet for a pedal drive system too which really interests me especially since there are a few non-motorized raid races I hope to participate in. Anyways, I was curious as to what all your thoughts were on the ballast tank operation was? before I make my final decision.

Hey guys I'm unfolding my Boat this evening and I was looking for the measurement for the centering of the boat on the Cradle?? I can't find it anywhere. Maybe its not critical initially? I"m thinking its not but if anybody has any info I'd appreciate it.

Hey Guys, My name is Mark Baumgaertner, and I've been looking for a micro cruiser for a few years now. I almost bought the CLC Pocketship Kit recently until I ran across the B and B's CS 17 MK3 which I quickly fell in love with the design. I live in Port Townsend, WA and have been wanting to downsize from my Clipper 33' Cheoy Lee. One question I have is how much space is in the cuddy cabin and will I be able to move my 6'5" 240 lb 54 year old body around? I know it will be small and the space is for getting out of the weather and sleeping primarily. Can any of you guys shed some light on my question?