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Steve W

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Everything posted by Steve W

  1. I think the discussion about main-sheets proves everyone is different. I like the look of a clean transom as much as the next guy, and if I lived in an area where long runs out of a marina down an inlet weren't reality, I'd stow my motor. I'm with Jay. Where I sail I like having the motor at the ready just in case. Also if that thing is really $615 bucks, I'd pass. My mount cost me a sheet of luan to make a pattern and some southern yellow pine reinforcing. I can leave my Suzuki 2.5 long shaft on and just as easily put it away. I trailer with it hanging on the transom with no worries. Best two pics before I put the rear deck on: And finished with motor up:
  2. FTR, I went with just a 2:1 on Skeena. I sailed Pete McCrary's CS20.3 at the Messabout and the 4:1 drove me nuts, both in the extra length and weight of line when the air was light. I feel like if the sheet loads are that great I should be reefing. If you want to make the sail go forward the mast you are going to need even more line! I will admit the line that Alan speaks of that came with the kit is nice. I got white and it works fine, although shows the dirt...... Steve
  3. I'm curious why you want a removable mount like this......do you plan to stow the motor when sailing or maybe use the boat a lot with no motor?
  4. Looks great. I didn't paint the lockers and regret it. I didn't think of doing it first until Alan's video and I should have. What is your plan for a motor mount?
  5. Thrillsbe, I was apprehensive about the latch, but it's far enough forward not to matter at all. I did alternate the 7 pairs of button magnets! On another note, wooden boats are just so easily modifiable. I added what my friend Andy calls "beer fiddles" to the mizzen support as shown. My Yeti mug sits right in there like a champ, with the sheet holding it captive. Being only half circles solves the drainage issue. I's all about the cup-holders.....
  6. Is that mizzen sheet double ended? If so, I like that, When hiked up on Skeena, it's tricky to adjust the mizzen sheet, but that would solve things......
  7. Nice! FTR, those elastic hair stretchy bands they sell for girls to tie their hair up are better than rubber bands and work here. I also have a bunch on my spirits to tuck the reef line coil under.
  8. I've tried using a sharpie, but it hasn't lasted. I'd like to pre-mark the main and mizzen to good spots to make reefing quicker. Anyone have a long term solution. This is thin line, either 1/4" or 3/16" and is white with black flecks.
  9. Today I finally got Skeena out and about. She's a great boat. It was frustrating not getting much helm time, but when you have two of the three kids along, it's a great sacrifice.
  10. Ok Graham, you've been back from your amazing journey for a week.....I hope you are working on the novel! I think there was a lot of people following your adventure. My wife, who thinks I'm nuts watch the EC map every spring thought I was more nuts until I sat her down at my computer and showed her your trek and we went to Google Earth to click on photos to get more of an idea that what Alan had posted. About half way in she and my son Teddy were asking "where is Graham now?" You are an inspiration. In one of Alan's write-ups he mentions you deploy the anchor from the cockpit. Can you tell me about that? I have a anchor roller similar to yours and I'd like to rig this on Skeena.
  11. Back in 2015, I purchased Core Sound 20 Mark III boat number 3. It's turned out to be a great boat and I've had some wonderful adventures with Skeena. At the time I purchased the plans, the only designing not quite done was the hatch. There was a lot of discussion back then. Graham and Alan eventually finished the design, but I'd already proceeded with my own design, which was sort of like Graham's, which I'd seen I think at the MASCF. The sliding aft part was excellent, but I was never quite satisfied with the front. To open, I had to un-dog it on both sides with screws. And then open it and tighten the prop hardware. I liked it as it provided a nice fresh breeze when cracked open at night, but I didn't like the speed of opening and the fact it opened into the sail path. It was awkward to get out to use the anchor. A few times on the Chesapeake this spring I sent my daughter forward on top of the cabin and it was then that I decided to change it. I had seen Jay, Amos and Chick's sliding designs, and I decided I liked the safety of a slider. In order to keep my solar panel, and because I'd already cut a hole for the old hatch, here is what I came up with over a few beers anchored on the Myles River near St.Michaels a month and a half ago, while talking to some of my friends. She's a slider like Chick designed, but there is a garage over the middle part to hold my solar panel. The hatches run in a full length groove. There is a stopper cleat on the aft of the front hatch and the fore of the aft hatch. There are six weep holes that let water exit from the rails. I made it out of Mahogany, which is a bit heavily that the pine I used before, but I used less of it, so there is that. I hate bright-work, but it sure looks sweet. The rest is Spanish cedar. You can walk on any of it. I trimmed the old hatch coming down using a sander, to a line. For that I had to clear the cabin. In this picture you can see the inset magnets I used to latch the slider. I bedded 7 pairs of strong magnets I bought, on both the hatch and it's slot. Sliding the hatch forward snaps it shut. I didn't love the idea as I thought it would interfere with my compass, but my son Teddy told me it would be fine and he was right. I won't shoot a mark with my handheld compass up there. If there is a downside, it takes a bit of strength to pop it open. I have a actual latch to use for security I'll install tonight. I can reach the anchor gear easily from here, and get the sail lugs started, etc. Nice and secure. Open. Amos mentioned he was surprised his hatch was waterproof. We had a torrential rain storm and the lid pooled over a half inch. No leaks! I had some doubts, but I even dumped a five gallon bucket over it. No ingress. Inside. My bug screen still works with no mods. I routed a pull into the hatch. Solar wires. I like that the wiring is now fixed to the solar system. My son Teddy 3-D printed me a cover for the old setup but it won't work so he's printing another one to protect the wires. Aft. Pretty similar to the old design, with the addition of the recess to push/pull when the hatch board is in. My favorite part. If you shove the aft hatch forward, it closes the front hatch, and the magnets latch it. I suspect my kids will sit up there on the edge, or poke their head out like a tank commander. The only downside is the lack of ventilation. I have an idea, but let's test what I got first. I noticed in Graham's epic journey, he had figured a way to deploy his anchor from the cockpit. I'm curious to hear his solution. That will be next. I have a lot of trips planned and it's good to get this small project that took way longer than it should have done. I love this boat. Take Care, Steve
  12. Pete, that looks like a great improvement. I find the rig on my 11N to be excellent in performance, but frustrating in my inability to switch from rowing back to sailing out on the water if I don't have a partner in the boat. As soon as I move my weight forward to reach for the zipper, things get awkward. I've been thinking about keeping the standard rig, but creating a smaller lug rig for quicker deployment and more useful when screwing around fishing/sailing/rowing.
  13. Best advice I ever got: Don't let perfection be the enemy of good.
  14. Pretty Epic adventure. Enjoyed following you and glad you are safe.
  15. Does that mean I get to turn back the clock 11 years?
  16. I think it's possible to get a good drawing sail yourself, but I'm with Thrillsbe on that subject. By the time you buy the materials, it's about as cheap to buy one and the B & B sails are great. As for the keel, both Skeena and Suzy J have White Oak keels. Tough as nails, closed cell wood great for this application. The rub is that being closed cell they don't glue great, but I have a cheap blade for my table saw with a bent tooth. It makes a great glue surface and I've never had a problem. The rest of the boats bits are SYP from lowes, like Paul said, culled from sorting over many visits. It's light, and in the type of use these boats get good enough. Have fun with your build. I'm taking my 11N out this morning for Father's day!
  17. These next couple of days pushing on up to Delaware bay should be interesting!
  18. I had my son 3-D print a pump pickup that fits a bilge pump. It functions to fill the tank quietly, but can easily be used to empty the tank as well by moving a hose. The relevant part is I put the Anderson bailer in as close to the center-line as practical. By leaving it open on the trailer, any residual water is gone after a drive of any kind. We also have inspections here and they are pretty serious. If there is residual water you aren't launching without treatment. I have seen the results of invasive species here and wouldn't want to contribute.
  19. I can't get enough of this thread/document/spot track. If you bring up google earth next to the spot track, you can click on images and get a feel for what Graham is going through. I'll bet it is a birders dream. I'm particularly interested in seeing what happens as he continues north. This shallow water seems perfect for Carlita. I'm not far away from retirement and could see doing this trip. I'm glad to have someone with Graham's experience lead the way.
  20. Hey Andy, I hope you are enjoying WildCat, or whatever name she has these days. I really was sad when you pulled away with her. She was 13 years mine and if she could talk she'd have a lot to say. I don't have much to add, but there is a classified page here that occasionally has a CS for sale. Also, I'd act quick on getting a boat for the kids. That family will grow fast. I thought WildCat would sail with Skeena piloted by my boys, but the build took too long and away they went.
  21. I hated to take the time during sailing season, but all of Amos's points are good ones, and the only negative is the lack of "scoop" effect. I'll rig up some kind of canvas alternative to keep the breeze all night, even in rain as the previous hatch did. I am much further along, but here is an early pic. I made two rails and the plywood hatches and fit them nicely. They slide real good. I imagined myself forward working the anchor, moving my down-haul, tying reefs, and that seems really great. My tip up hatch made that difficult as un-dogging it took too long and it tipping up into the sail path was problematic. Early in the process: I'll take another pic tonight, because the "garage" that spans the rails and holds the solar panel is done. I can route my panel without having a need to hinge the wires. The downside is a dodger is no longer in my future, unless it is created to be at the aft of the garage. And lastly, I had to trim down the forward coming that was already epoxied in place. My orbital sander with 60 grit made short work of it.
  22. I'm in Upstate NY near Rochester, probably too far for you to travel to see, but I love the boat, and I'd be happy to take you sailing. But you have a bunch of red flags in your post. To have one built to the point of sailing it I think would cost quite a bit. Off the top of my head I would thing at least 30k but probably more. Add a a motor and trailer and that certainly isn't a great value in today's market. I built mine and enjoyed it, and considered that part of the fun (except all that sanding!). A friend just bought a Bayraider Expedition from Swallow boats ($45k). He said "but you saved so much money!" I would say that if I had a minimum wage job and worked the hours it took me to build Skeena and the cost othe kit and extras it would be a wash. A pro could probably work faster, but there is a lot of work. His boat has a way higher resale value. But again, I enjoyed the build (except all the sanding!) and I have the pride of building and sailing a boat I built myself.
  23. Great pic. Congratulations on your progress. Our family is finally all vaccinated and things are way more normal. It's good to see faces again. Good luck!
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