San Juan 4 day trip

[Joe Nelson CS#35]

Just got back from a trip to the San Juan Islands in Washington State. I had a lot of first time experiences with my Core Sound 20;

Got to hoist the mizzen stays'l. That was surprising easy and effective.

We had light winds most of the weekend, so I left for home with a full sail plan. We had a great reach across some open water for about 7 miles. As we entered the passage, the wind came head on at 15-20. We motored into the wind and finally decided to wrap the sails around the masts and lessen the risk...and just motor. Then the motor started running on one cylinder...no power. I decided the only answer was to step the mizzen into the third hole for a reefed sail plan. We were in 3' wind chop and it was no easy task. I did manage to successfully get the mast into the third hole. In 20 mph winds without a good motor to hold you into the wind, it was difficult to get the sprit into the clew of the sail! At this point, the kids wanted to know if we should call for help...drifting towards a rocky lee shore LOL.

After getting the new rig set, we sailed with ease for the last 10 miles across the bay. This was the least stressfull part of the whole trip. Had some gusts over 30. We were able to cleat the sheet and beam reach in quartering seas from the rear with amazing ease, averaging 5.5 kts with a heavy load (1,200# of people and gear). Without the motor, we sailed into the marina and right to the dock.

I am going to set up my boat for sails with tracks this winter for long trips. Even with the best of information, you can get caught out in a blow and easier reefing would have made the trip much less stressful and reduce the risks.

[Gordy Hill]

Pictures Joe! We want pictures!

[Joe Nelson CS#35]

OK, Here is a few...

[JeffM]

A four day trip and that's all you've got to say? Details, man! I've now tried reefing both around the masts, and by moving mizzen to the third step. With the mast stepper, doing the moving on the water was not hard, but I was at least anchored! I can't seem to get good sail shape reefing around the mast, but I'd like to keep it as an option, since its quicker to reef, and shake out. I'm wondering if there's a simple fix for sail shape; maybe throw a sweatshirt into the middle of the sail as I wrap, to take up the slack in the belly.

[Joe Nelson CS#35]

Details...

The boat is very stable feeling in all the conditions that I have encountered...except for seas taken on the beam...not smart anyway.

We got a lot of attention from other boat owners in our group and from strangers. One guy took the phone number for B&B from the sail. We had a round island race planned, but didnt have enough wind to make it around the island in enough time...so it was cancelled. This was a disappointment to all of us. Everyone wanted to see how fast the core sound is in comparision to other boats. I did have a chance to sail with a group to another island on Sunday. My boat was not any faster than some of the others in light wind. I did find that it points better than a lot of the other boats. The core sound points better than I would have expected the rig to point. The only critisism I have is that it does not roll through a tack very well in light winds. Boats with Jenny's do better in light winds.

On the way home we had heavy wind. One guy commented to the yahoo group that he knows first hand how fast my boat is. He left ahead of me and I cought him, passed and beat him to the launch by over 45 mins...even with the problems we ecountered with reefing. This was over a 22KM sail. With a load that pushed me a couple inches below the designed waterline, we averaged 5.5 knots.

Even in chop that sent spray over the coamings, everything in the hatches stayed dry.

I am gaining a lot of confidence in my boat and am liking her more all the time. You know you have a good boat when it gets you home long after you wish you were. Hats off to Graham for a great design! Hats off to me for building her so well :wink:

[Joe Nelson CS#35]

Another pic from a friend...there was 19 boats in our group. It was a great group outing!

[Richard Whitney CS#70]

Nice to see some 'summer action'. We are in the middle of a cold (for us) winter. My CS 17 is stuck at the back of the garage (as it has not had a car in it for 2 years my wife now calls it the boat shed) - as I am building a strip kayak (a King from Redfish Kayaks- designed in your neck of the woods).

Reading your reactions reminds me of getting the feel of sailing my CS 17. Hopefully my summer I will have a craft for days when there is no wind - and the CS 17 for days when there is.