Richard Whitney CS#70

John - Having built the larger cabin (therefore I assume less space for the motor well) how are you dealing with the placement of your outboard? I enjoy my CS17, but at some stage want something with a cabin - so I am thinking ahead.

Having built a CS17 - it is a great project - and then you get the ongoing pleasure to harness the elements to make your way across the wate in your own creation. The only problem in the equation is that it does not in anyway cure the 'itch' of wanting to build something else. Enjoy your building.

Garry I you haven't already done so look at the video of the sailin on this site. You will see my CS17 (blue hull #70 on the sail) blasting by. Inspired by your model and my recent strip kayak building experience I am talking to Graham about a strip version of Princess 22

I have been off the air over the winter. The boat has been stuck on the wrong side of a strip kayak I have been building. It has been eating up all my time trying to get it ready for summer. I am building a Redfish King (I will attach a picture of the deck) If you go to http://www.openboat.co.nz Enter the site, go into Video, and then look at the Sailin video from last summer you will see me sailing by a couple of times - blue hull with 70 on the sail. Looking forward to dusting off for our summer.

Go Scott!!!! Great to see you reach the launch of your boat. I have followed the building with interest and may build a Belhaven or Princess in the future (when I am too old to sleep in the boom tent). Hope you enjoy her and get a great deal of pleasure and statisfaction from sailing a hand build boat.

Nice to see some 'summer action'. We are in the middle of a cold (for us) winter. My CS 17 is stuck at the back of the garage (as it has not had a car in it for 2 years my wife now calls it the boat shed) - as I am building a strip kayak (a King from Redfish Kayaks- designed in your neck of the woods). Reading your reactions reminds me of getting the feel of sailing my CS 17. Hopefully my summer I will have a craft for days when there is no wind - and the CS 17 for days when there is.

Graham I have been busy - forgot about Watertribe and only checked in the other day. Well done you guys. I was really excited to hear of the win and race record (faster then the Norseboat last year!!!!!) I am proud to be a CS17 owner.

Greg We are mid summer at present. While we were camping we had Easterlies with drizzle, low cloud and rain for all but two days. The two fine days had no wind - but I put the outboard on and took the kids fishing.

By the way the photos are in reverse order - start at the bottom. They us preparing to leave, out in the bay, and returning through the harbour entrance.

Here are some photos of our trip camping up the Northland Coast. Whananaki has a narrow and shallow harbour mouth that takes you out on the open Pacific off the Northland coast. It is hard to see from the pictures, but there was quite a big swell and about 12 knots of breeze. The friends I was camping with enjoyed the sail. Unknown to me my wife Robyn walked along the rocks to the harbour entrance to capture some to the photos.

Go Graham!!!! I will watch with interest. For me the main race of interest will be nailing the Norseboat. Kokako is heading off tomorrow (acting first as a camping trailer) for 6 days at Whananaki (about 3 hrs. north of Auckland). There is a shallow harbour the is good sailing at high tide, and if the weather is right and I can get across the bar you are out in some really beautiful (if somewhat rocky) coastal cruising. Hope to post some photos on my return

Peter Well done!! Look like you have made a beautiful job. Nice to welcome another CS17 into Australasian waters. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I am enjoying mine. There are few things that beat having your hand on the tiller of a boat you have built yourself as it cuts beautifully through the water. Richard Auckland New Zealand

We are all lining up. If you could send me one as well please Graham. I would be useful to have the anchor in place ready to drop rather than in the fore hatch. Richard

Merry Christmas Graham, Carla and all the B and B posters. We are a bit ahead of you. Our family have just finished Christmas dinner. Turkey cooked on the Webber BBQ (stuffed with lemon grass, coriander, ginger, kifir lime leaves and fresh limes) out on the deck in the sun. Summer fruits and pavlova for desert. Weather looks good for a sail tomorrow or the next day. Seasons Greeting to you all

Thanks Graham If you see this could you give me the equivilent measurement for the Belhaven. Thanks Richard

Best wishes Scott I am looking forward to seeing your Belhaven in the water. I have the tape measure out looking at practicality of the Princess 22 or Belhaven as a longer term project.

Best wishes of the season to you Charlie and all the 'B and B family'. Down here in the southern hemisphere we are hitting the height of summer and most people have some sort of a break as well (I have 3 weeks off work) - so there will be some sailing to do.

Merry Chrismas everyone from those of us in the Southern Hemisphere. I wanted to get some idea (maybe from Travis, Charlie or Graham) of the height off the ground of the mast/tabernacles of the Princess 22 when it is on a trailer. The reason I am asking is that I am looking at the logistics of building and storing at home. It would cost me about $2200 per year to park it on the hard at a marina - so looking for cheaper ways to do it. Thanks Richard

Try a search for a product called Cetol Marine. I used it on the the deck and hatches of my CS17. Very easy to apply and maintain compared to varnish. I have also been please with the durability so far.

Antony Nice to see the first Southern Hemisphere Princess taking shape. I have a CS17 but see a Princess on the horizon at some stage. Where in Oz are you based?

Also check out Dave's site for some more pictures and commentary. http://openboat.co.nz/sailin.html

Jeff Thanks for you great story. As you pass into winter we are just heading into summer. The few of us on the water in the southern hemisphere will try to post some sailing adventures and pictures to keep those of you wintering over going until your next season (although I will be slowed down for a week or so rebuild midship seat.

Check out the link below for some photos www.irwinwhitney.blogspot.com

Graham I was using fairly light weight aluminium rivets (given my mast and track are aluminium). Should I beef up to heavier ali rivets or would I be best to go for screws like you have done. Second question - I have used these same rivets to attach the track to the masts - spacing about 20 cm and alternating each side.. Should I beef these up?

Tim Paul was with me when the gust hit A few photos