Richard Whitney CS#70

Yes Geoff = I had changed over to a mast track to make reefing easier. You can not tied webbing around the mast because it then goes over the track and won't allow the sail to come down (part of what got me in trouble having rigged up webbing to stand in for the saddles that had poped off.

I will post some photos later - and talk more about the 'calm' part later. On my way over I poped the rivets I had just put into a saddle on the mast holding the snotter. (have just changed over to mast tracks rather than sleeves). I have one reef in with I left but shook it out when the wind dropped abit. Nice reach down the harbour. But on gust a bit strong - ping goes the mizzen. Re grouped and tied some webing around the mast with a D ring and rerigged the mizzen mid harbour. Later that afternoon 'racing' some of the other boats in very gusty conditions - that same thing happened on the main mast- ping. I was near the beach so headed in , used webbing and a D ring again. Headed out for some more fun sailing around Islington Bay. Calm overnight and about 10 15 knots on the nose when we left. Beating home in a Westerly a massive squall came through ( I can't estimate but it was really strong). Paul in his Pathfinder furled his jib, dropped his main and hove to under mizzen. I dropped the main as far as I could, but the webbing around the mast stopped me getting it down far at all - way to choppy and winding to get out on the fore deck. In the confusion didn't think about dropping the sail abit would loosen the snotter. It come out of the d ring in a gust and the sprit (still attached to the boat went over the side. I got stuck under the boat around the rudder. At this stage things were looking ugly with a volcanic lee shore coming up quick. Tried to start the outboard - It kept starting and then cutting out. When I looked over the side the snotter rope was wrapped around the prop. Got the sprit back aboard, bit couldn't get the rope free. Finally unwrapped the rope from the prop and briefy started the motor and pulled 6 feet further way from the lee shore - the another bit of the rope caught around the prop.!! Cleared it again and finally got underway into a strong headwind and steep sea (my 2hp only just did the job.) Lesson One. I should probably tried to get up on the fore deck and got the anchor out of the hatch and anchor to avoid the near miss with the lee shore - I don't know how I would have gone if I had thought of it. Tidied thing up. Got the webbing off the main mast and dropped the main and stowed it up forward. I sheeted in the mizzen as I was going straight into the wind (another mistake). I was under power and a keel boat close hauled was going at me and I could see I couldn't clearly pass in front of her - so beared off to pass behind her - not thinking of the mizzen sheet in hard. Another strong gust hit at that point and ripped the mizzen mast through the seat that supports it amidship. It also split the fiberglass top of the mast. Derigged the mizzen - got everything onboard and strapped in and started a long slow trip back using the 2hp Honda into a strong head sea and wind. Themnran out of petrol(gas) the the wind pivoted the boat and started to blow me back where I had come from. Re-filled and limped home. The boat is cleaned up and back in the garage. A good (if slightly too exiciting) experience. I learned a number of valuable lessons and picked up some bits I need to beef up. All of that being said - the day before was great - and today a valuable test in extreme conditions. Paul and Dave's boat with their heavy centre board stood up better then my much lighter boat. Anyway - thought I would share the adventure. :oops:

Joe I was able to use 'safety' to justify the cost of converting my sails and mast to a track system, and for upgrading from a 2hp to 4hp outboard. Now to get a GPS - maybe to shift bays at midnight in the pitch black when the wind shifts and the anchor is dragging. Or to give an accurate fix to the coast guard. I certainly can not ask for access to the family bank account so I an check if I am going 1/2 knot fast when I tweek the outhaul. (I will have to spend some time strategising.

I thought with some experience building up it might be useful to ask for some tips and tricks from those of you that have been playing around with how to get the best out of these boats with the cat ketch rig. For example Graham pointed out from some photos that I am sitting to far aft going to windward. Although I am 'just cruising' there are some others that I sail with who test our boats against each other. Any useful tips to help me defend the honor of the Core Sound boats would be appreciated. eg. maximum degree of sheeting in going up wind (angle of sail relative to centre line. How 'full' or 'flat' to keep the sail. (I have been keeping the tension on the snotter pretty tight - therefore pretty flat) etc.

Rob I am looking at your system as I need a better way to reef - especially when I am alone on the boat. Can you tell me what arrangement you have at the top of the mast for the halyard ( I take it that you have opened the webbing that would have closed in the top of the sleeve). Also was I very expensive to get the zip, second opening for the sprit and reefing points put in. Having set up with sleeves it seems that following your method may be less of a hassle (and less expense) then redoing the whole luff to work with a sail track, and installing the track. Also have you worked out a way to undo and reattach the snotter/sprit without having to climb out onto the for deck.

Tim Paul is my Yoga teacher - so we regularly talk boats. He did have Varuna for sale (and has a standing offer to buy her) - but is hanging onto her for the moment. She is a lovely boat and very well built. Paul is itching to build another boat - he ideally wants something the family can sleep aboard.

Jeff I am going to do a tent for my CS17. I will be interesting to see some posts of yours as it develops. This a a link to a rough map of the gulf I sail in . You can see Rangitoto is in what is refered to as the inner gulf. Motuihe Channel is between there and Waiheke Is. It is open sea but shelted somewhat by Great Barrier Island. http://www.whangaparaoa.info/html/hauraki_gulf_map.html

Thanks Scott Can't wait to see your Belhaven in the water. I have been measuring the garage today playing with the idea of a Belhaven or Princess 22. I love daysailing the CS17 - but at some stage in the future I would like to be able to 'sleep inside'

Travis I just have a manufacture stainless anchor roller on the bow. Don't think there are any pictures of the anchor itself. I use a locally manufactured anchor that is good in mud, sand and rocks. It has a slot you can slide the shackle up to get a straight pull on the business end of it. Have loved seeing photos of your boat - I was looking at some today and fantasing about the next boat (Princess or Belhaven)

tried to put in one photo - will try again

I joined two friends for a 'raid' to Islington Bay (which is between Rangitoto Island and Motutapu Island in the Hauraki Gulf off Auckland). I have posted some photos on the site below (any of the photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.) http://www.irwinwhitney.blogspot.com Also if you go to the following site you can see some extra photos posted by Dave (the skipper of Jaunty a Navigator). http://www.openboat.co.nz On his site there is also a link to a description on a 'Boatin' happening in Nov. A taster: There has been some discussion of the relative merits of the Core Sound 17 as compared to the John Welford (local NZ designer). I think a race challege will be coming up[/img]

Hi Graham I have been looking for the best way to fit drain channels into my existing side seat hatches. I think I cracked it this weekend. I used the idea of molding up fiberglass channels, but instead of doing it outside the boat for attachment later I made up a mold to use inside the boat on the existing framing. I formed the fiberglass tape around the mold - let is dry and then pulled out the mold leaving channels that I then trimed back so they are flush with the hatch sides. The hatch fits back into place with not problem and not major surgery needed. Still needs abit of tidying but looks like it will work. I will do the other side next weekend. Hope to be back in the water in September.

My CS 17 Kokako is in 'dry dock' having the side seat hatches re-done to make them water tight. Some of my friends headed out for a mid winter sail and have posted an account at the following link http://www.openboat.co.nz/ Follow the link to Paul Groome's account. Hope you are all having a good sailing season in the Northern hemisphere. If you have a broadband link try downloading Google Earth. Zoomed into Vandemere, North Carolina to check out where you are based Graham. Here in NZ the only detail is the old Americas Cup course and surrounding area here in Auckland. The link for Goggle Earth is: http://earth.google.com/

Graham Thanks for all the detail. I have been fantasing about building a Belhaven - there is something about a cabin. However after the look on my wife's face when I mentioned it, the extra weight, and how much I enjoy sailing the CS17 - especially when she gets up an planes - I think I will go for the 'dodger cabin' for the mean time.(especially give the limited number of times I would actually sleep aboard) Could you explain what the 'main cover' is - how you handle things aft of the dodger. Also - do you cook on the boat (like during the watertribe challenge) or cook on the beach - just trying to think about the best way to do this.

Scott She's looking really nice. Your side hatches look like they will work well. Mine leak because I took some shortcuts (something to fix over our winter)

Hi Graham Could you add me to the list of staysail plans as well. With sleeves over the mast I will need to work out how to rig a halyard to raise and lower the sail. I was thinking I could just tie a block to the webbing at the top of the sail. My email is not richw@woosh.co.nz Thanks

Thanks for the pictures Graham - drawings would be great - this is one of my next projects (as things get a bit colder here it will be good to have a bit of shelter.

Well done Graham and Fred. In a race like this (and in all sailing situations) better to play it safe if there is any issues of safety or clear route finding. A great time, a great challenge to test out the CS 17. I look forward to reading an account at some stage. Again - well done!

Graham and Fred are 6 hrs. ahead of Robert and Scott in the Norseboat which won class four last year. If you want to follow the results go to: www.watertribe.com Graham - this is more exciting than the America's Cup.

I am following this on the Watertribe web site with much interest. I have read the descriptions of this race in the past. The Norseboat people use the fact that they won Category 4 last year on their web site. Graham - hope you are in a position to do the same thing on the CS 17 web site - you are off to a good start (hope by the time you read this the same held true). One way or another a good test for a great design. Nice sun rise photos Gordy.

Hi Tim Here is a definition of a blog I downloaded A blog is basically a journal that is available on the web. The activity of updating a blog is "blogging" and someone who keeps a blog is a "blogger." Blogs are typically updated daily using software that allows people with little or no technical background to update and maintain the blog. Postings on a blog are almost always arranged in cronological order with the most recent additions featured most prominantly. below is a site that allows you to set one up for free. To post photos you need to download a programme called "hello" - link below http://www.blogger.com/start http://www.hello.com/ Regards Richard

There are a few more photos on the blog for those interested. http://www.irwinwhitney.blogspot.com

Just a heads up to people currently building. My main regret is taking a short cut and making simple hatches in my side seats. They leak badly and any water that comes into the boat seems to end up leaking around my hatch lids. I am going to redo them over the winter. My front hatch also leaks when water comes over the bow (I think I can fix this more easily with a tighter foam on the inside of the hatch. Anyway - thought it might be useful to share a lesson learned.

Just a heads up to people currently building. My main regret is taking a short cut and making simple hatches in my side seats. They leak badly and any water that comes into the boat seems to end up leaking around my hatch lids. I am going to redo them over the winter. My front hatch also leaks when water comes over the bow (I think I can fix this more easily with a tighter foam on the inside of the hatch. Anyway - thought it might be useful to share a lesson learned.

I have been playing around creating a blog site to show photo of Kokako. I have only put a few on - but take a look if you are interested. http://www.irwinwhitney.blogspot.com I will let you know when I post more photos