CS 20

[Andrus]

Hello all -

I've just joined the group and would welcome any perspectives on the relative merits of the CS 20 vs Sea Pearl 21. Would also welcome the opportunity to meet up with any local CS owners for a sail ( I live in the Phila area).

Many thanks.

[Ken_Potts]

  Hi Andrus,

  Welcome to the forum!

  Are you familiar with the Everglades Challenge?  There seems to be a relatively high number of both boats in the EC.

  I like both designs too.  a couple of good points about each:

The CS20 planes.

The CS20 is usually built with watertight storage.

Sea Pearls have the option of water ballast.

Sea Pearls have the option of leeboards which frees up some cockpit area.

[Doug Cameron]

I have had both a Sea Pearl and a Core Sound 20 (and sailed both in the Everglades Challenge).  Here is my take:

Both are cat ketches with all of the advantages of that sail plan.

The Sea Pearl is heavier (especially with water ballast on board).  She is drier than the CS 20 (keep the center cockpit covered in big seas) but slower.  As you push her past hull speed, she sits down in the stern rather than popping out onto a plane like the CS 20.  She is designed as a camper and has a lot of room in the "center cockpit" if you have the tent.

The CS 20 is a delight to sail.  She accelerates quickly and responds well to adjustments in weight and sail trim .  With a dodger and floor boards doubling as a bridge across the footwell, she will make an adequate camper, but you would be happier bringing a tent and staying on the beach,.  She  has all sorts of room for crew and lots of storage (and flotation) in the seat/tanks.  It's fun building the 20, and you can't get that on the Sea Pearl.  The CS 20 is far easier to row.

Both are good-looking, easy to launch trailer sailors.

[Doug Cameron]

I surfed the Sea Pearl through 3-4 foot waves coming into Gasparilla Pass.  With the center cockpit covered, any water that comes aboard the foredeck diverts into the cockpit sole, which is self draining.  She is good downwind with the advantages of an unstayed cat ketch rig.  On any point of sail, she is a bit tender when the wind pipes up and the ballast tanks are empty.

The CS 20 is a dream downwind.  At the Rend Lake Messabout last weekend she was surfing breaking 1' to 1 1/2' waves in a 20-25 wind and giggling about it.  Easy to control, dry, and shares the advantages of the unstayed cat ketch rig.  Even when she is going fast, she is dry.

I agree with Ray about the wetness beating and reaching, especially going fast in waves like we did in the EC.  Reefing helps, but it means going slower.  The self-bailer works well and should be part of your plan.

[paul_stewart]

... any perspectives on the relative merits of the CS 20 vs Sea Pearl 21. ...

Andrus,

Welsome!  A cabin of your own design is an option on the CS20.  You can see in the photos the cabin we built on CS20 #103 "Dawn Patrol". 

In the Everglades Challenge '08 our ride was extremely dry  --which is one of the main advantages of a hard cabin or soft canvas dodger.  You can see 'worst-case' spray deflected in the following video from our EC'08 run:  http://sailnaway.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2008-03-07T02%3A26%3A00-05%3A00

--Paul

[Andrus]

Thanks for your advice. How about durability and maintenance ?