Core Sound 17 #159 Refurbishment

[Don Silsbe]

The snotters were attached to the sprits.  I like them attached to the mast, and clipped to the snotter.  I’ve done my lashings.  The blocks and clips are waiting to be attached to the masts.  The sprits have been prepared for varnishing.  (No photo)

 

I’m converting the tiller to the pivoting type, as this is my preference.  The new tiller blank will get the most attention today, and be prepped for varnishing. 

 

The masthead float just needs some sanding.  I’ll paint that when I paint the rudder in a day or two.

 

The hurricane kissing the coast right now is dumping a lot of rain on us today.  (I’m six hours away, up in the Appalachian foothills.) This keeps me from working on the installation of the boarding ladder, or taking photos of the completed centerboard reinstall.

[Andy B]

Don, are you salvaging the current rudder, just replacing the tiller?  How did you get the tiller off? And is that the old tiller that you are modifying, or did you build a new one?  As you know, this is a bit down my project list.

[Don Silsbe]

I built a new tiller out of some Sapele I had, leftover from the trimaran build.  The rudder is the old, original one.  I had to use my table saw to cut them apart.  A multi-tool would also work, but there are other intricate cuts involved.  Bring your boat to the messabout, swing by here on the way home, and I’ll perform the surgery.  
(I know how long a drive this is for you, and how much time you’d need to take off work, but still…)

I’ll post photos probably tomorrow.  Epoxy is oozing all over the place right now, so it’s not very photogenic.  

[Don Silsbe]

@Andy B— If you know of a snow bird headed south for the winter, have them swing by here each way.  I’ll make the cuts, and they can pick it up on the way back north.  I can offer a free overnight stay on either side.  Cutting through the mountains at Knoxville only adds about an hour to the drive, depending on where their winter roost is.  Oh.  And I am planning on cruising in FL in February, as well.  Just trying to think outside the box.

[Andy B]

Wow Don, thanks for the offer!  My parents snowbird some seasons, I may send you a message in the future!

 

Yeah, the Messabout in October just doesn't work for my schedule.  The kids are back in school and I save my "only me" vacation time for my guys ski trip.  It would be invaluable to walk around and see the different rigging options everyone uses!

[Don Silsbe]

Andy— Yeah, it’s great for things like that.  Maybe we can do a video call when I’m there.  Currently, I’m working on mine as I recover and adjust to the aftermath of Helene.  I must use a generator to run my sander— no power!

[Don Silsbe]

I think I made a big mistake.  When I hung my Suzuki on the transom, the cavitation plate was an inch or so above the waterline.  So, I bought a motor mount like PadrePoint had on Avocet.  I mounted it low enough to get the cav. plate where it belongs.  Now, the motor won’t go up enough to lock in the tilted position!  If you have a CS17.1, how did you mount your outboard?

[PadrePoint]

This tape measure is about 15” in from the outside. Might this help?

And, my motor is a long shaft. 

[PadrePoint]

[Don Silsbe]

This is an option, to be sure.  Aren’t these wobbly?  Comments?

[Steve W]

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. 

[Don Silsbe]

I finally went for my first sail in The Peeler— uh, I mean Windependent.  Still plenty to do, but she finally got wet today.  This is gonna be fun!

[PadrePoint]

Excellent, Don!! 
 

Great to see you get your boat into the water this year.  I know you enjoy the tinkering and building, but I’m hoping that you get all KINDS of sailing time and adventures with Windepenent. 
I just put Avocet into storage today for the winter. 

[Don Silsbe]

I have a question for CS17 mk1 sailors.  When I took Windependent out, I was becalmed on the way back to the dock.  I pulled out my oars, and discovered just how difficult it is to row her.  The mizzen mast is in the way.  How do you solve this problem?  Should I relocate the oarlocks aft, and perch myself on the little shelf of seat aft of the mast?  Or should I unstep the mast?  Is there another way?  I can also use my Suzi 2.5, but I also like leaving it home for short daysails like this one.  My oars are 8’ long, which is a little short for sculling.

[Andy B]

Don, the builder of my CS20, which obviously has more room, installed a removable bench just aft of the mizzen thwart.  It rests on some brackets blued in to the sides of the seats.  It gives you a foot or so to sit on, and of course doesn't have the hardware that is on the mizzen thwart.  He also installed some adjustable footbraces.  I can send you some pictures later.

[Don Silsbe]

@Andy B— Thanks.  Sounds like a good solution.  I think I can figure it out.  Photos would be nice, but not necessary.  
 

All:  If you have other suggestions, I’m all ears, but this sounds like a good solution.

[Hirilonde]

21 hours ago, Andy B said:

Don, the builder of my CS20, which obviously has more room, installed a removable bench just aft of the mizzen thwart.  It rests on some brackets blued in to the sides of the seats.  It gives you a foot or so to sit on, and of course doesn't have the hardware that is on the mizzen thwart.  He also installed some adjustable footbraces.  I can send you some pictures later.

I made a removable seat that fits a bit aft of the mizzen.  It was located such that the rowlocks are not in the way of sitting on the side deck while at the helm. The seat fits in a side seat locker. The oars come apart and fit under the side decks when sailing.

[Paul356]

Don,

 

I ended up putting a second set of oar sockets forward.  I sit on the cuddy top and row from there.  Not the best, but it gets the job done, I guess.  I find I want to extend the oars out too far, so need to fight that urge.  I need to take shorter, less strenuous strokes. I made oars 10.5 feet long.  My crew handled the rudder.

 

Rowing from the cuddy top worked well enough to get through an adverse tide in the Everglades Challenge a couple years ago, but it is tiring.  If anything got in the way, it was my life jacket, as I'd be pulling in and then dropping hands to make the recovery.  My hands got caught in the front of the jacket.

 

I did try rowing from the mizzen seat once, to see what it was like.  I left the masts on shore and headed out rowing from the middle seat.  I think I felt it was kind of low, as I remember propping myself up on a cushion.  My verdict was that it rowed like a 400 pound boat.  That is, not that swell.  I had left the outboard on, and people kept stopping by, assuming I had engine trouble and was using the oars as Plan B.  I guess no one rows in Wisconsin any more.

 

Lately I've been using a canoe paddle from the side seat near the stern.  In calmer water it works great.  (Lock the rudder.)  I haven't tried it against a full blown headwind. All in all,  I have decided the best option is the outboard, even for a short haul.  (I aso found the outboard works far better for steering with the rudder blade pulled up out of the water.)

 

Maybe I should try rowing from a standup position, standing just in front of the mizzen and using the front oar sockets.  But the last few trips, I haven't even brought the oars along.  They are hard to store.

 

 

--pb

[Don Silsbe]

Padre Point tried the forward rowing position.  The oars kept lifting out of the locks.  Maine fishermen row this way, but have weird extensions on their oarlocks.  
 

I have a Japanese friend who comes to visit each summer.  His name is Shohei Toyoda.    He loves sailing on my boat.  One summer, we were becalmed while sailing on my favorite lake.  I handed him the guest paddle.  I told him that my auxiliary is usually a Suzuki 2.5, but today I have a Toyoda.

 

[Don Silsbe]

I had a big day today.  I flipped Windependent over, to strip down the hull and repaint her.  It took some serious equipment, but it made the job safe and easy for two people.  Now comes the fun part.  BZZZZZZZZZZZZ