Michael Collins

Thank you to Graham, Carla and Beth for a great weekend! Here are pictures that I took. I hope you enjoy. 2014 B&B Mess-About pictures Michael

Ray, if you are out in the boat this weekend, can you get any pictures? Sorry. Seriously, do you have any pictures? It has been a while since I have been in Doug's boat, but this sounds different than what I remember. I am hoping that images will help me remember if this is the way we have it. Thank you, Michael

It happened to Doug Cameron and me on a dark night in the gulf after an uncontrolled (unanticipated) jibe. I think that he had drilled and tapped machine screws, but I my old memory sometimes fails me. Maybe it was sheet metal screws. Doug tied a loop in a line and lashed it around the mast to get us to Key Largo and finish an Everglades Challenge. Doug is a regular here and he can describe his long-term repair.

Well, I finally got around to starting my first boat. I hope that this is just the first. I want to build a Core Sound. I have moved to a place that gets cold in the winter (Idaho from Florida). So, I hope to get this boat or at least most of it done before it gets to cold to work outside. Sorry about the picture quality. I was too lazy to go get a real camera and shot these with my phone. I will not do that again. Graham, building the Diva reminds me of the months working with you. Even the smell of epoxy brings back fond memories. I did get Brian involved when I folded the boat and tied in the bulkheads. I hope your cleanup is coming along. I wish that I could be there to help.

Tom, Glad to hear that you and Liz are ok. I hope that your beautiful Bluejacket and Lapwing are undamaged. Michael

Tony, Thank you for the report. Graham and Carla have been on my mind along with Al's boat. It is good to know that nothing is a total loss. Michael

Hi Michael, Thanks for the article and video. I accidentally learned that sailing by the lee in a cat ketch was stable through many hours in Everglades Challenges. However, I do not remember noticing that you could adjust the heel so dramatically with sail trim. I look forward to trying this next time I am on a cat ketch. Great job, Michael aka Greybeard

There is one important difference. You can build a CS17 from a kit, which for someone like myself with limited woodworking experience, is a much more comfortable idea.