Having a CS professionally built?

[cosgrove]

I hope this is not an inappropriate question for this forum (if so I apoligize), but has anyone had a CS17 or CS20 professionally or otherwise built for them? If so, how did you go about finder a builder? What was your experience?

I really do want to build a boat some day, and pehaps it will be sooner than later. But I also know that I have precious few years left before my oldest goes off to college. I don't want to spend all of my time in a workshop when I could be on the water with her. So, I do plan to acquire a boat soon. I'll buy a plastic boat if I have to, but if I could get a CS that would be great!

--Jim

[Charlie Jones]

You could email me about building one for you

People on this board can vouch for my work.

[Frank Hagan]

I'll vouch for Charlie's work ... you can do a search for his messages here and on the Trailer Sailor forums for his progress on Travis' Princess 22. Very high quality of workmanship.

Ray Frechette of Great Falls Boatworks in Maine also has built Core Sounds, just recently completing one for a customer. You can find his messages here and email him also.

[Charlie Jones]

He's also not all that far away from Graham. I'm sure they have builders over there too. I know Oyster is pretty close.

[Travis Votaw]

Jim, I'm totally psyched over the job Charlie is doing on the Princess 22 for me. He is an excellent craftsman and very conscientious. Feel free to email me if you have any questions. TV

[Rob Blackburn]

We had our CS 20 built by Eric Sanberg here in Oztralia and it was a very enjoyable experience. Much like living in a Wooden Boat article for 6 months.

I had planned to do the finishing work... mentally to justify the expenditure I suppose but in the end he just kept going.

Took 350 hours all up. From start to launch day. And that included all the other stuff.. Getting the stainless fittings made right through to painting fairing etc. I did about 3% I reckon. Originally Eric thougth 200 hours but that was just the hull building. And we altered a bit and added extra in places so there seemed to be the correct amount.

For my 2 bobs worth, do it now before the terrorists or the old folks home gets you.

Rob

[P Doug (WA)]

I know time is short but if your daughter is inclined, what a great time would be had building the boat with you kids. Probably just or more memorable than the sailing. My kid are grown and gone but even to day when either one comes home for a visit they look for a project we can do in the workshop. Sure has kept us close.

[cosgrove]

Thanks for the advice. From the web photos, Charlie does build beautiful boats. I've been in contact with Charlie and one other builder. They've been very helpful in providing me information about what is involved in having a boat built. I've also sent a message to Ray. It would be nice to find a builder in the Virginia/Maryland area, but geography is only one (and perhaps very minor) consideration. At this point, I think I still have to learn more before I can decide whether having a boat built would be the right option for me.

P Doug--You have a great point about using the project to spend time with my daughters. I have included them when I've done home repairs and rennovation projects. I figure that if their eventual boyfriends/husbands are completely clueless, at least I won't have to do everything around their houses!!

Thanks again for all of your advice.

[Bruce Leonard]

For any one interested in having one of the B&B boats built in New England, I was extremely pleased with the CS 20 that Ray Frechette built for me.

For the past 5 weeks I've been sailing (mostly singlehanded) my new boat a couple of times a week in Narragansett Bay. I really like how this boat sails. It's responsive, fast and a lot easier to rig and launch from a trailer than I thought. Sailing a self tacking boat is a pleasure. I don't know why we don't see more boats with the cat/ketch rig.

Ray is in Lewiston, Maine (207-786-6998).

Bruce Leonard