Steve W
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Posts posted by Steve W
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The Mahogany has the newness. Out in the sun for awhile it will eventuall match the lower board.
I wanted to keep the boards varnished. While I had some 12mm Okume which would be best, I just don't like it's look. The trim ring is 6mm, and I'll allow it.
Even though the board is a two piece glue up, with the growth rings alternated, the board wanted to warp ever so slightly, which is why I added the stiffeners.
Next project, pop up stern cleats like Amos has. I should be sailing soon!
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"Better drown than duffers, if not duffers, won't drown."
They look like they might have a bit of Nancy B in them. In case you didn't know Swallows and Amazon's is from a serious of books, all wonderful.
Take care,
Steve
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I made hatch boards version 3.0 recently.
The 1.0 iteration I made like raised panel doors. Great idea but I made the rails to thin to maximize the plexiglass and the small glue area didn't hold up to the abuse.
The 2.0 version I got the brilliant idea to just make a full piece of plexiglass and add some rails bonded to increase the thickness. My dad used to say "it was a good idea, but not a great idea". The plexiglass, not being recessed, got beat up fast and the expansion of the wood meant the rails got loose and only the mechanical fasteners held it together.
Version 3.0 pictures coming. An oval plexiglass window recessed into a mahogany hatch board, with an okume keeper similar to the way the cabin portlights were done. I will tell you, cutting accurately to a scribed line and then sanding/planing to a line takes time. And the accuracy isn't as great as the port windows Alan sent me years ago. At the time I bought a "kit" I thought I made a compromise. It was a great decision.
FTR, I saw Amos's sailing video recently on FB. It snowed here today, but another month or so.
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Thanks for these updates. That's quite a project and I appreciate the updates. Whose Garvey Design is that?
Take Care,
Steve
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Having the tent at the stern is nice. Both my old SeaPearl (now Andy B's, mid cockpit tent) and Skeena (with her forward trunk cabin) hunt around at anchor in a breeze.
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Controversial, but I used Cetol on the mahogany trim and hatch boards on Skeena. Held up well from launch in 2019. I never recoated. Should have. Had to sand a bit this past year, but was easy. Looks great. Not as good as Varnish, but not as fussy.
The teak rub rails that were Cetol coated, however, got beat up pretty good. I thought I'd be nice to my friends boats, but I'm adding stainless like Carlita and becoming an Anvil. Ha!
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Alan,
I've used a standup paddleboard on Skeena with pretty good success. You can have one knee on the seat and have an extended leg on the cockpit sole to get some good drive with your back. I think for the marina paddle you described this would be way easier than oars.
One thing you mentioned in one of your videos was that someone was using a tiller pilot. Is that legal in the EC? I've been thinking of adding one to Skeena. I single hand a lot and there have been times I'd like a break.
I like your wind vane design, but I'm short a good shop right now, so that's out of my scope right now.
Take Care,
Steve
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20 hours ago, Jonathan M. Cohn said:
Do you use the auto-release cleat for your centerboard? Do you ever find it releasing accidently? When I was in Pensacola last year I had it release a few times but it was easily pulled back down and locked immediately. I wasn't sure if the water got shallow or the release was just a bit finicky.
I built one of the early 20.3s and there was no centerboard downhaul. I extended the centerboard trunk forward and had an opportunity to add a downhaul, and I didn't. Probably should have but that project sort of sucked.
There is a weighted tip that keeps it down and it works well. I've hit stuff.
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Alan,
When you are done racing (with your mom....just typing this makes me smile), I have a question for you. On Skeena, I have a cleat that pops open under pressure to save the rudder in a grounding. It always surprises me when it happens. But around here we have a lot of rock and I like the way the rudder just floats up until I put it down. I do maintain a bit of hard steerage.
My question is.....if you sailed in rocky places would you still favor your bungee setup?
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For those following along, you may find the Raceowl map to be a bit better than the Watertribe map.
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I have a Suzuki 2.5 I love. Plenty of power. Unlimited range.
And hate. Loud with no reverse. I am going electric some day.
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On 1/2/2025 at 12:07 PM, Captain Tim said:
jshaley if you are serious about a Core Sound you should get Steve W and yourself in a vehicle capable of towing this boat home and go get it. For this price you could do a lot of sailing very soon. If it's not the boat for you, you'd be able to recoup most if not all your money. If you build one there will be quite a time before you sail it. I hate to say it, but you probably won't recoup most of your money and you will not get paid for your time. I did a quick Google Map search, and it looks you would have a Core Sound 17 in your driveway ready to sail in about 10 hours. Safe trip!!!
I think these guys are right. You couldn't build that boat for that. I remember when Jim was building that. I think I was finding my way on my Spindrift 11N. She's a a beauty.
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Nice work!
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John, if/when you build, lmk. I'm in Pittsford and built a Spindrift 11N from plans and a CS 20.3 from a kit. I'd be glad to help...
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My .02
I always think of open boats sort of like canoes. When you increase the length, it's added to the middle: the ends stay the same and the 2 feet is added in the middle, where the boat is the biggest.
If I had the space, I'd go 17. The extra work probably isn't much and the capability to camp on board makes the boat more valuable now and at resale.
Whatever you decide, they are great designs.
Take Care,
Steve
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I built a Spindrift 11N first. I don't regret it. I leaned a lot of skills and I had a lot of fun. It was an easy decision to built Skeena, a Core Sound 20 Mark III. There is a lot of work in a 20, whether it has a cabin or doesn't.
As others have said, if you can commit to the not small project, I think a 20 is fine for a first project and the B & B team is there to handle your questions.
Take Care,
Steve
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Jay, thanks for the update......she's beautiful!
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Wow! Congratulations. Crossing the finish line is a big deal. Loved the video!
Take Care,
Steve
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FWIW, On Skeena I carry an adjustable length SUP paddle. It allows me to reach the water from standing or kneeling. It also works well to fend from docks when I'm by myself.
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Don,
The poles are linked in the writeup.
Jay,
I love the pics of the Flinders. I hope to see it in person at some point. Also, that would be a great boat for Maine. We had a wonderful trip up (Video in previous post) there this year and I think it's going to turn into an annual.
And yes, Skeena does a bit of hunting at anchor, and deploying the shade helps a lot. But I do like the idea of a riding sail.
Take Care,
Steve
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I've had some questions about the canopy my son Teddy made for Skeena. It's four years old and still looks great. Here is a pic from when we first made it.
I will measure it's dimensions soon. I bought these poles which are quite sturdy.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GBY77WV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1
They can be folded down, but since I've never had to, I think flexible wood slats would work fine. The key here is flexibility. The whole rig is under tenson and can spring/deflect a bit in high wind. I left the rig out when we first built it for a week in the yard, with the mindset that if we didn't build it good, it didn't have a place on the boat.
To erect it fast, I use a strap that I wrap around the mizzen mast twice and clip. Then I walk forward with the long line that is attached to the forward loop. I wrap this around the main mast one full wrap and then tighten it with one of these. Don't be judgy.......Yes, you clever knot tying people could probably knot (see what I did there) need that.
https://www.amazon.com/Carabiner-Clip-Rope-Tightener-4-1/dp/B000QGJN60?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1On the way aft after getting the ridge under tension, I clip the four forward side clips. The four front ones clip to D-rings I installed along the hatch runners. The two aft ones go to D-Rings I added to the outside of the boat, just aft of the mizzen. It's so quick to rig I'll often do it in the midle of the aftenoon having lunch at anchorage just to get a break from the sun.
As for the material, I have no idea as my son bought it. But it's something like this:
https://www.sailrite.com/SureRite-Charcoal-Gray-60-FabricWhen not in use I roll the whole thing, poles and all. Hope this helps.
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Samantha, great write-up. If you follow my writing on Skeena, you know how much of a fan of this design I am. I did the Sailish 100 with a friend in a Cornish Shrimper 19 a few years ago. Great boat in heavy wind, but not great in the light winds we had. I was wishing I had Skeena the entire time. That is an amazing place to sail.
As for the awning, I'll add my .02. My very clever son Teddy came up with this design:
It's fantastic. It stands up to 20+ knots of wind and gives me protection from rain going down the hatchway. It provides a nice dew free place to emerge in the morning. And it's high enough that it allows good 360degree visibility. I'm going to post the parts/size on my page if your interested.
Anyway, Congratulations. I know how much work it is to get to where you are!
Take Care,
Steve
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FWIW, I took that weak mechanism off my 2.5 when it bent. I now use a lanyard and loop. See pic. Easier to latch, more secure. I tow Skeena with the motor mounted, but not tilted. I do have a lock on the motor.
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As promised (love this boat) .......
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CS17mk3 — Avocet’s Adventures
in B & B Yachts Forum
Posted
I think Arthur Ransom's most amazing gift is his ability to capture the thought process of kids and humorously put it them in print. My 8th grade English teacher read Swallows and Amazons to us in class (1974?). One of the main characters is "Titty" which made us young boys laugh. I can see this book being banned for this reason alone. Dumb.
I was captivated by the story as I lived that kind of independent childhood. I read it to my daughter Helen when she was 6 or 7 and laughed so much. She became a prolific reader who went on to read the entire catalogue of Arthur Ransome. I named my Sea Pearl 21 "WildCat" for a boat in one of the books.
In this day of sedentary children and fearful parents, this book can inspire some independence and trust in youth. We all need more adventure.
Take Care,
Steve